Writing and Speaking Facts and Tips

A eulogy is not an easy thing to deliver, and examples of eulogies might make your task a little easier. It involves speaking before a group of people about the person who has died. This can be quite a daunting task, since if you are the person presenting the eulogy, chances are you’re emotionally affected by the death of the person, as well as having to cope with writing and presenting the eulogy. Examples of eulogies may be just the helping hand you need.

Step one here right now is DONT PANIC. Yes it’s easy for someone else to sit back and say that, but since you have to do this anyway - the best thing for you to do (since you may not be thinking clearly at this point) is to take a deep breath, and follow guidelines which will show you step by step how to write a great eulogy you will be proud of. So lets get started.

Such responsibility doesn’t come easy. It probably feels like the most difficult job in the world at the moment - and one you don’t want to do. But since the job is yours, and there will be others listening intently to every word you say, you don’t just want to rewrite something you have found from examples of eulogies - you want it to be personal.

The time required to prepare a eulogy and deliver it will vary from one person to the next. However as a general rule, it might take you hours and hours to research if necessary, depending on how well you knew the person, and how much more information you want or need from others. You may need to seek information from others about the following:

1. Stories from other family members

2. Friend’s memories

3. Co-workers and employer’s memories

4. Memories and stories from neighbours

5. Memories and stories from other associates

Don’t be surprised if this part of the process provides some comfort - finding out things about your loved one that until now you had no idea about.

Do not give up now - just grabbing whatever you can find in examples of eulogies is not respectful to the deceased, nor is it fair to the others who will rely on you to say what they can’t. By following these easy steps, you can write a beautiful eulogy.

The skill needed to do this is not as difficult as it seems at this very moment. Just try, and you will be amazed at what you can do. Just concentrate on one step at a time - let’s go.

Following your research stage, grab either paper and pen, or your keyboard, and head off on the next step. You’re going well. This is where you need to make notes (point form only) about what you are going to say. No sentences - just things like a name, a city, an era (eg childhood), awards/accomplishments, more memories etc. Keep in mind - at this point only points - no long sentences.

Next look back at your list, and place each point in order as you think they should go eg childhood events would come before adult accomplishments etc. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just a rough order. Remember at this point you are doing great to get this far. You are doing the right thing by doing this properly, rather than just copying examples of eulogies from other people.

Nearly there - keep going. The next thing to do is to expand on the points you have made. It does not have to be spectacular writing, just in your own words, and just what you need to say to explain the point or the story. You should read the sentences out loud as you write - pretend your cupboard is a person, and read it out loud to your cupboard. If it just didn’t sound right, say it again the right sounding way, and rewrite your sentence.

After the first few, it will feel much easier. It will begin to flow. Once you have done this with all the sentences and points, go back to the beginning - even though you do not have an introduction or a conclusion, read the whole thing out loud from beginning to end. There may be a couple more changes to make.

The introduction is the next thing to tackle. You could mention some of the things you will miss about the person, incorporating a short story or memory, comment or statement using the person’s name.

The only thing left now is the conclusion. This typically would contain maybe a prayer, a poem, a blessing, or any additional thoughts you might have.

Lastly, simply read it again from start to finish, listening for any last minute changes you want to make. Maybe you could get a friend to listen to it if you would like another opinion. Another option is to record you reading the eulogy. Play it back to yourself. You can listen for yourself then. At this point you need a great big congratulations - you did not take the easy road and copy something from examples of eulogies - instead you did the right thing by the deceased and for everyone listening.

This is an opportunity for you that you will never get back again, so as a few last comments, remember grammer is not important, but your personalized message is. Express the feelings you have and don’t be afraid of emotion. You are there for these reasons, as a tribute to the person and their life.