Eulogies & Obituaries
Crafting a eulogy or writing an obituary can be a challenging and emotional experience, even for those who are comfortable speaking in public. To support you during this time, we've put together some helpful guidelines.
Eulogies
Delivering a heartfelt eulogy can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Summarizing a person's life in a few minutes while balancing humor and solemnity can be difficult. However, writing and delivering a eulogy can be a therapeutic way to process your grief, and being asked to give a eulogy is an honor. Here are some steps to help you create a meaningful and memorable eulogy:
- Gather Information: Talk with the deceased's family, friends, and coworkers to collect details about their life. Important points to include are family relationships, education, career, hobbies, places they lived or visited, and notable accomplishments.
- Organize Your Thoughts: Start by jotting down your ideas in a way that feels natural to you. Create an outline and incorporate the information you’ve gathered.
- Write It Down: Unlike a wedding toast, a eulogy shouldn’t be improvised. Writing it out ensures you include everything you want to say. Bring a printed copy with you, making sure it's easy to read by using a large font or spacing out lines.
- Review and Revise: Your first draft won’t be perfect. Take a break, then revisit your speech with fresh eyes to make any necessary adjustments.
- Practice: Rehearse your eulogy several times to become comfortable with it. Practice in front of a mirror, or ask friends or family for feedback. Familiarity with your speech will help you deliver it naturally.
- Incorporate Humor Thoughtfully: While a eulogy isn’t a comedy roast, appropriate humor can lighten the mood and bring fond memories to life. Share a light-hearted story that is suitable for all ages.
- Show Emotion, but Be Prepared: Funerals are emotional, and it’s okay to show your feelings. If you think you might be too overcome with emotion to speak, have someone you trust ready to deliver the eulogy for you.
- Prepare for the Moment: Keep a glass of water and tissues nearby in case you need them.
Obituaries
Writing an obituary is a sensitive task that requires careful attention to detail. Begin by gathering information from the deceased's family and friends about their life, including childhood, education, career, and hobbies. Contact the funeral home for details about the service and other arrangements. The template below can help you structure the obituary efficiently, especially if you're working within word limits for publication:
Template Instructions: Replace the placeholders with the appropriate information. Newspapers often charge by the word, so this template helps you include all necessary details concisely. Feel free to modify it as needed.
"[First Name] [Middle Name (and Nickname)] [Last Name], [Age], of [City], [State], passed away on [Date of Death] in [Location of Death].
A funeral service will be held at [Location] on [Date] at [Time] with Reverend [Name] of [Church] officiating. Burial will follow at [Cemetery Name], [Cemetery Location]. Visitation will take place at [Location] on [Date] at [Time]. [Funeral Home Name] is handling the arrangements.
[First Name] was born in [Birthplace] to [Parents’ Names] on [Date of Birth]. He/she attended [School Name] and graduated in [Year]. He/she earned a degree/certificate in [Field] from [School Name]. [First Name] worked as a [Occupation] for [Company] for [Number of Years]. He/she enjoyed [Hobbies/Interests] and received [Awards/Honors]. He/she was also involved in [Charities/Organizations].
[First Name] is survived by [Relation], [Name], of [City]. (List survivors: spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews). He/she was preceded in death by [Relation], [Name]. (List predeceased: spouse, parents, children, and siblings.)
Memorial donations may be made to [Organization Name], [Mailing Address]. The family wishes to thank [Organization/Name]. [Final Words]."
These guidelines should make the process of writing a eulogy or obituary more manageable during this difficult time.