How to Write a Eulogy Speech

Delivering an eulogy is one of the highest opportunities we can be given to honor the life of a loved one. However, once given the opportunity, you need to know how to write a eulogy speech that honors the deceased, acknowledges family, friends, and coworkers, and is careful of social and cultural etiquette.

What is a Eulogy?
A Eulogy is a speech delivered in honor of the deceased, usually by someone very cherished by the family. The purpose of the speech is to honor the loved one’s life and accomplishments. How to write an eulogy speech greatly depends on how many people will share eulogies. If your eulogy is first, the main or only eulogy that will be given, here are some of the main things to include:

• Full name of the loved one.
• Date and place of birth.
• Names of relatives such as spouse, children, parents, siblings, stepfamily.
• Depending on the circumstances, either the name of aunts, uncles, and cousins or the number of each the loved one is survived by.
• Other biographical facts such as schools attended, military service, or areas of interest

Making a Eulogy Special
An Eulogy is more than delivering the summary of the person’s life. It should celebrate and commemorate the value that they have added and how their life has inspired others. So how do you write an eulogy speech that is meaningful and special? Adding personal stories of your experience with the loved one and sharing about what you loved most can add the warmth and depth a eulogy should have. When you are considering how to write a eulogy speech that properly honors the loved one, consider adding these details:

• Hobbies the person enjoyed and any story connected to them.
• Places the person visited and any stories that demonstrate the person’s personal traits.
• Favorite way to spend their time.
• Stories that demonstrate the person’s love for others, especially one’s others may not know.
• Areas of personal sacrifice.
• Words of love and kindness that the loved one would want to be imparted to the surviving friends and family.
• Stories from each phase of the person’s life.

Remember Sensitivities
When delivering an eulogy, awareness of any sensitivities is important. A eulogy should reflect the person’s life positively and not intentionally stir up any ill will between the gathered family and friends or highlight negative qualities. A death often leaves many things unresolved; a funeral or memorial service is not meant to give a stage to those things. When delivering a eulogy, remember to be sensitive to a few key things:

• Keep it positive.
• Do not embellish the stories or details of the person’s life.
• If the loved one, for whatever reason, was especially difficult or led an especially difficult life, concentrate on your love for the person.
• Be sensitive to details that should not be included or would be better left unsaid.

Knowing how to deliver an eulogy speech can make a memorial service even more special. Once you have organized your facts and made note cards, the most important thing to remember is to add your heart.