One of the most beautiful parts of funeral services is the eulogy. This speech honors the memory of your loved one as you recall special moments you shared with them and how they were like as a person.
If your loved one selected you to deliver a eulogy, it could stir various emotions in you. For instance, you might find the prospect of speaking in front of a crowd daunting, or you could be unfamiliar with what you should include in a eulogy. If it is your first time to produce a eulogy, here are some of the things you should keep in mind.
What should I include in a eulogy?
Before you start writing, you should collect all the information you could use. Do not limit yourself at this point; include all memories you might want to discuss, biographical information, and more. If you are unclear on facts, you can interview family members and ask them for help.
When you have a sufficient amount of material, place the events in chronological order. You are trying to capture someone’s lifetime; share who they are and what they have achieved. Then, talk about what this person meant to you and people close to him. Finally, you can wrap up by saying goodbye and offering words of comfort to everyone.
Should a eulogy be long or short?
Treat a eulogy like any speech at a special event. The best ones properly honor the person involved but do not ramble for longer than it should. Keep your speech clear and concise; when it runs long, your audience’s attention will start to wander. It is good to keep the eulogy somewhere between five to ten minutes.
Should I try to add humor to the eulogy?
Funeral services do not need to be uniformly somber throughout. The right kind of jokes can help lighten the mood and keep people’s spirits up, and it is an excellent way of honoring your loved one if people knew him for his sense of humor.
To add humor to a eulogy, share a story that everyone can relate to and enjoy. Talk about who a person was while making sure not to come off as disrespectful. Adding humor to a eulogy may seem difficult, but it can make the eulogy much more meaningful and memorable when done right.
How do I brainstorm ideas for a eulogy?
To start a eulogy, begin by taking some time to brainstorm what you want to say. Make sure to speak with other family members and friends of the deceased to gain insights and stories you might not know. The more information you can gather, the better. You don’t need to use all of it, but having as many anecdotes as possible will allow you to craft a eulogy that encompasses the deceased’s life and achievements.
How do I start the actual speech?
Address why you’re all gathered; that is, to celebrate the life of someone dear to you and to say goodbye. Thank everyone for being there, and introduce yourself and how you are related to the deceased. You don’t need to spend too much time on this part, especially since the bulk of your speech should be about your loved one.
What do I say in the middle?
After introducing yourself, you can provide a summary of the life of your deceased loved one. Talk about their early years, milestones in their life, and personal or professional achievements. Mention close friends and family, and talk about their relationship with their spouse, children, and grandchildren. You can also talk about their unique qualities. If they were kind, compassionate, loyal, selfless, this is a great time to say it.
How do I end the speech?
When you’re winding down, offer words of comfort to the audience, who will probably resonate with certain parts of your speech. Say a final goodbye to the deceased as well, and talk about what your loved one’s memory means to you. You can talk about how this person’s best qualities will remain with you and how you will honor his memory from now on.
Honor your loved ones’ life with a memorial service at Evergreen. We are a Jacksonville, Florida funeral home with a crematory and cemetery on our premises, providing the convenience of a single location for all your arrangements. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
