Writing a Eulogy

When a loved one dies, you may want to write a eulogy for them. Writing a eulogy for someone is a chance to share your personal memories about them. It is a way to highlight how meaningful your loved one was to you. 

A eulogy can be hard to write for many people. So soon, after a deep loss, it can be hard to focus on the good times. A eulogy can be a vital part of the healing process; as it allows everyone to reflect on the the happy and most cherished moments of their lives. Many of us don’t realize how much a person has touched our lives until they are gone.

Keeping the eulogy brief is a good idea. Most good eulogies will take 5 minutes or so. Practice your speech, not only to see how long it is, but because you will have to say it in front of a crowd.

You don’t need to say the speech from memory. Even though it is an emotional speech, having it written out will not make it any less heartfelt. It will simply make it easier for you to deliver, and will allow you to collect yourself and keep going if you start to tear up; as people often do. 

Stay positive and personal while delivering your loved one’s eulogy. Tell an interesting story about the deceased. It is better if it is one that happened with you. Share one that shows something that they really enjoyed in life. Staying positive will lift the spirits of the other mourners. Avoid speaking about negative experiences.
 

Try to speak in a more natural, conversational tone. Public speaking is a big fear for many people. It is important to look around the room on occasion, and to try not to act stiff. Making eye contact will allow you to speak more naturally as if you are having a direct conversation. Look at a few different people in the audience this way. 

End the eulogy on a high note. Something meaningful or deep that came from your experiences with them. Or even something light-hearted if they were a humorous person. Ending a eulogy strong can leave a lasting impression in your audience, and will help the memory of your loved one live on.

For almost 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.