Eulogies & Obituaries

Delivering a heartfelt eulogy or crafting an obituary can feel daunting, even for experienced speakers. To support you in this important task, we’ve compiled helpful guidance.

Eulogies

Creating a meaningful, impactful eulogy is an honor that allows you to reflect on the life and legacy of your loved one. While it can feel challenging, with a bit of preparation, you can find the right words to capture their spirit. Here are some tips for writing and delivering a thoughtful eulogy:

Gather Personal Stories and Details: Connect with family, friends, and colleagues to collect meaningful stories and details. Include key aspects such as their close relationships, career, hobbies, life experiences, and special accomplishments to paint a well-rounded picture.
Organize Your Ideas: Outline the key points you’d like to cover. This could include a timeline of their life, specific memories, or reflections from others. Use whatever note-taking method feels most natural to get your thoughts organized.
Write It Out: Unlike spontaneous speeches, a eulogy benefits from being written down to ensure every important thought is included. Consider printing it in a large, easy-to-read font, and keep sentences spaced apart if you’re handwriting it.
Refine and Edit: After your first draft, set it aside and revisit it later with a fresh perspective. This process allows you to make any adjustments and ensure the tone is fitting.
Practice Aloud: Reading your eulogy several times helps build confidence and comfort with the material. Consider practicing in front of a mirror or with someone close who can offer feedback. Familiarity with your words will help you stay steady while speaking.
Include Gentle Humor: While respectful, humor can honor the joy your loved one brought to others. A well-chosen, lighthearted story can ease emotions and prompt warm memories. Be mindful of the setting, and keep humor suitable for all ages.
Allow Your Emotions: Eulogies are emotionally charged, and it’s natural to feel and show emotion. However, if you’re concerned you may be overwhelmed, plan for a trusted person to step in and read on your behalf if needed.
Bring Essentials: A glass of water and tissues can be invaluable during emotional moments at the podium.

Obituaries

Writing an obituary can be a challenging and emotional task. Start by gathering details about your loved one’s life from family and friends, such as their childhood, education, career, and hobbies. Also, confirm any necessary service details with the funeral home, including dates, times, and locations of services or other events. Below is a sample template to help you structure the obituary effectively, while keeping it concise for publication.

Template Instructions:

Replace the items in brackets with the appropriate information. Many newspapers charge by the word, so keeping the obituary clear and to the point can help manage costs. This template is flexible, so feel free to adjust it as needed.

[Full Name, including any nicknames], [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date of Death] at [Location of Death].

A funeral service will be held at [Location] on [Date] at [Time] with [Officiant’s Name and Title, e.g., Reverend, Pastor] leading the service. Burial will take place at [Cemetery Name, Location] following the service. Visitation will be at [Location] on [Date and Time]. [Funeral Home Name] is handling arrangements.

[Name] was born in [Place of Birth] to [Parents’ Names] on [Date of Birth]. After attending [High School Name, Graduation Year], they pursued a [Degree/Certificate] from [Institution Name] and worked as a [Profession/Job Title] at [Company] for [Years]. In their free time, they enjoyed [Hobbies/Interests] and were actively involved in [Charities or Organizations]. [Name] was recognized with [Awards or Honors].

[Name] is survived by [Relation, e.g., spouse, children, siblings, etc.] including [List Names and Locations]. They were preceded in death by [Relation, e.g., spouse, parents, etc.] [Names].

Memorial donations may be made to [Charitable Organization, Mailing Address]. The family would like to express their gratitude to [Organization or Individuals for Support].