How to Write A Eulogy
Writing a funeral speech (eulogy) can be hard to do if you have never written one before. Many people who are facing this find that they simply do not know what to do or where to begin.
Take it from me – you’ll be fine as long as you follow the KISS principle: Keep It Short and Simple. Nothing is worse than a speech that goes on for too long.
When writing the eulogy, make sure to focus on what was best about the person. Did she always have a way of making people smile? Did he volunteer at community events? Was she always lending a helping hand to a neighbor? Think of the things that made this person special and what it was that allowed people to love him so easily.
Should you include humor in a eulogy? A small and tasteful joke is fine but don’t overdo it or you might offend some people. Humor can be tricky.
Remember that a eulogy is not a report card on the person’s life. You are under no obligation to balance the good things you say about the person with the bad (and in fact it would be in bad taste). tell the bad things about them as well as the good. Leave out details of the bad temper, the family feud, the or the ugly divorce. A memorial service is not the time or place for such a thing.
Don’t put too many expectations on yourself. No one expects you to be perfect. This is an emotional time and no one will judge you if your eulogy has a few bumps and glitches. The goal is to honor the deceased, help to comfort those mourning the loss of a loved one, and to say your final good bye.
Still feeling nervous about writing a eulogy? Just sit down and start writing a draft. Keep writing until you have written all you can. Once you are finished you can go over to shorten it and make revisions. Practice reading it out loud and don’t try to memorize it. Deliver the message with sincerity and the listeners will be grateful for your courage and your comforting words.
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