Best Practices for Writing a Eulogy
Published: April 4, 2022
by Welch Funeral Home
by Welch Funeral Home
If a close friend or relative has passed away, you may be asked to give a eulogy at their funeral service. While this can be a great honor and a wonderful way to pay your respects to them if you have not delivered a eulogy before it can be a daunting task. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry, we are going to share some best practices that funeral homes in Longview, TX. agree help in creating a great speech.
What is a Eulogy?
Before we dive into tips, let’s first talk about what a eulogy is. A eulogy it is a speech that is delivered at a funeral and commemorates the life of the deceased. It is typically given by a close friend or relative of the deceased and is delivered at a set time during the service.
Eulogies can be solemn, religious, or even a little funny. They tend to be about three to ten minutes in length and include stories, highlights, memories, and achievements of your loved one. A typical outline might look something like:
- Opener/ Introduction- Introduce who you are and your relation to the deceased
- Personal story / Biographical sketch- Talk about your loved one’s life and achievements as well as share any personal stories
- An inspiring passage or poem – Share a meaningful reading
- Closing – This can be a simple closing such as “Rest well, my friend”
Writing the Eulogy
It can be difficult getting started writing the eulogy. This is normal. If you find yourself having trouble, let go of judgement and just write from your heart. You will probably find that once you begin the process, the words will come easier than you thought. Here are some tips to help you when writing:
- Decide the tone - Do you want to eulogy to be solemn, funny, serious? Deciding the overall tone can help you have a direction to write.
- Find a quiet place - When you are ready to start writing, find a place where you will be less likely to be interrupted. This will give you the best chance for getting in the flow of writing and being able to stay in it
- Write in bullet points - Instead of writing every word, it may be easier to write in bulleted points.
Once you have your eulogy written, it’s a good idea to set the draft aside and revisit it at a later time. This will help you look at it again with “fresh eyes” and make sure you are truly happy with it.
Delivering the Eulogy
If you have never had to deliver a speech before, you may be a little anxious about giving the eulogy. Many people have a fear pf public speaking, so these feelings are completely normal. Just remember that everyone is there to remember and honor the deceased and not to judge you on your delivery. To help you feel more confident and give the best eulogy possible, here are some tips:
- Speak slowly- Many times, when we get nervous, we may start talking very fast. Make sure to breathe, and slow down so that everyone can understand you
- Make eye contact- Although this is much easier said than done, try to look up once and a while and make eye contact with someone in the audience. If you don’t think you can manage to make direct eye contact, pick a spot in the back of the room to gaze at. This will still give the appearance of making eye contact.
- Talk loudly- There may be a microphone to speak into, but if not, make sure you speak loud enough so that everyone can hear you clearly
- It’s okay to be emotional- If you start to feel yourself begin to get emotional, it’s okay. Just take a minute to regain your thoughts and continue on with the eulogy. People will understand.
If you are attending services from funeral homes in Longview, TX., and are asked to deliver a eulogy, follow these tips and you will be able to deliver a fitting and meaningful tribute.
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