You may be giving a eulogy because of your close relationship to the deceased or because the family trusts you to honour his or her memory on behalf of family and friends.
A eulogy is best typed in large font for easy reading and ideally no more than two pages in length.
Some useful tips to writing a eulogy
- Be honest and focus on the person’s positive qualities
- Humour is acceptable if it fits the personality of the deceased
- Keep it brief. Five to ten minutes is the norm, but it’s a good idea to verify that with the minister or funeral director
- Consider interviewing family and friends
As a helpful guide, the following information is usually included:
- When and where were they born
- Nicknames or names known to others
- Parents, brothers and sisters
- Early childhood – localities and interests
- Childhood friends
- Some interesting or amusing stories from school or teenage years
- Schooling and awards gained
- Academic or trade qualifications and achievements
- Work history
- War or military service
- Marriages and significant relationships
- Children, grandchildren and other relatives
- Sporting achievements
- Religious associations, charity, community work
- Club memberships and positions held
- Hobbies, interest, crafts, etc
- Details of historical significance
- Preferences, likes and dislikes
- Details of activities, music, theatre, etc
- Special or amusing stories, sayings, qualities significant to others
- Special readings, music or poetry may be included
It’s impossible to predict what emotions close family and friends will feel on the day. People can get overwhelmed, and having a backup speaker on hand who can step in and calmly take over a reading or eulogy at the last moment can be useful