Eulogy Examples | Friend | Father | Mother | Grandparent
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Being tasked with giving a eulogy can be daunting, but you can also see it as an honor and a chance to convey genuine, heartfelt thoughts about the deceased that help everyone celebrate that person’s life. Despite your grief and the short duration in which you have to write the eulogy, following a number of steps will make the process easier.
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How to Write a Standard Eulogy
First, similar to other speeches, thank everyone for being there and introduce yourself.
The eulogy should be brief. A length of about five minutes should be sufficient. This won’t seem like a lot of time once you are talking, so only include the most important information that will relate the deceased’s admirable traits. Personal stories you share with the deceased are a great way to illustrate his or her character. Your favorite memories of the deceased, details about his or her hobbies or work, and important achievements can all honor the deceased and make everyone remember them fondly. Consider what the deceased was passionate about.
Make a list of stories, hobbies, etc. and then decide which would be the most appropriate and effective to speak about in the eulogy.
Remember that these things you discuss about the deceased must be personal, and not just a list of facts. You must talk about aspects of the deceased’s life that will be meaningful to the audience.
Bring a written copy of the eulogy with you. Everyone can make simple mistakes when giving a speech, even professional speakers, so bring a copy with you to jog your memory and prevent you from going blank if you feel overwhelmed.
Another important tactic is to speak in a conversational manner. Keeping the language informal and easygoing will help you connect with the audience and make it easier for you to retain your composure.
Although the majority of the eulogy will be serious, you can certainly add a few touches of humor to mix up the tone or show the deceased’s sense of humor, which can result in an effective speech overall.
Here is an outline of a eulogy with some suggestions to help get you started:
Opening
- Introduction
- Favorite quote of the deceased
- Joke that the deceased loved
- Personal story that sums up the sense of humor or passion of the deceased
- Use humor here to lighten up the mood if you wish
Body
- Talk about the deceased’s life, especially the formative events
- Describe positive traits about the person using stories or personal moments
Closing
- Offer condolences
- You can end with a quote, by singing a hymn together, or by stating how much you cared about the deceased and how much you will miss this person
Sources
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