A text written and read in tribute to the deceased at their funeral, the eulogy is intended to honour their memory while making the ceremony lively. The first step in dealing with grief, the eulogy is generally an experience rich in emotions that also helps initiate the inescapable work of mourning.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE DECEASED

By definition, a eulogy praises the person who has passed away, extols their virtues, and recounts their life in broad strokes. The idea is to talk about the different important stages in their life – for example, their childhood, their studies, their graduation, their wedding, and the birth of their children or grandchildren.

It’s also essential to highlight their qualities and their character, but you can also talk about their faults in a humorous way, or a little quirk that everyone was attached to, deep down.

BRING UP ANECDOTES THAT MAKE THE EULOGY LIVELIER

Speaking with the relatives who shared their lives with the deceased lets you gather information, important facts, and specific dates that marked their life. Concerned about paying proper tribute to the deceased, they will gladly provide information that will let each person attending the ceremony hold on to a nice memory of them. Recounting anecdotes helps lighten the mood by humorously recalling the memory of the deceased while being careful not to fall into poor taste or into things that could be hurtful to their loved ones.

TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT THE DECEASED LIKED

It’s always touching to share a book, a song, or a poem that the deceased was particularly fond of. Sharing a bit of music or reading a poem or a passage from a book that the deceased liked can be an emotional moment for everyone attending the ceremony. This particular memory will move everyone and will let them remember the eulogy and the ceremony as a touching moment.

EMPLOY A SMOOTH WRITING STYLE THAT EVERYONE CAN UNDERSTAND

The tone of a eulogy should be the speaker’s habitual tone. Indeed, it’s neither appropriate nor enjoyable for anyone to listen to a formal and impersonal speech that, moreover, doesn’t fulfill its primary objective: to pay tribute to the deceased. To do this, the best method is to write a first draft once all the information has been collected, then come back to the text the next day or the day after to read it again. This lets you check and correct the length and fluidity of the text, change any inappropriate phrasing, and delete unnecessary words. Furthermore, maintaining a natural tone helps you be comfortable with the speech, offer a beautiful tribute to the deceased, and make the presentation pleasant for everyone.

TAKE YOUR TIME WHEN GIVING THE EULOGY

Amid all the recollection around the casket or the urn, the eulogy is another way to remember the life of the deceased. To make this moment more memorable for everyone, it’s in good taste to distribute copies of the eulogy to loved ones, who will be happy to keep a trace of this tribute given to the deceased. Indeed, it’s a part of the ceremony that’s particularly emotional for the audience and the speaker, who has to take breaks in order to retain their composure and express themselves distinctly and in a strong voice.

Writing and reading a eulogy may seem like a complex task. By evoking the big moments in the life of the deceased and the things that they really loved, as well as maintaining a natural tone, you’re guaranteed to pay them respect with a memorable and understated eulogy.