The passing of a loved one is a profound and emotional experience, and speaking at their funeral can be both a privilege and a challenge. At Foothill Funeral in Glendora, California, we understand the importance of commemorating the life and legacy of your loved one with heartfelt words and meaningful tributes while speaking at a funeral. Drawing inspiration from expert guidance, we offer valuable tips for delivering a touching and memorable eulogy.
Eulogies hold a profound place in commemorating a person’s life and honoring their memory. Thus, these heartfelt tributes offer solace and closure to grieving families and friends. In this blog post, we discuss some of the most renowned eulogies in history, which have left a lasting impact and continue to inspire.
When a loved one dies, it can be a difficult and emotional time for family and friends. One of the most challenging tasks during this time is writing a eulogy. A eulogy is a speech given at a funeral or memorial service to celebrate the life and honor the memory of the deceased. It is essential to write an effective eulogy that captures the spirit and essence of the person while providing comfort to those grieving. In this post, we will provide some tips on how to write an effective eulogy. Continue reading Eulogy
When a family member or friend dies, you could be called on to deliver the eulogy, even as you struggle through profound grief. This post should help you craft the perfect eulogy, as we conclude our 2-part series about eulogy writing, by offering specific steps. Read part one by clicking here.
Eulogy Writing 101
After considering the points we make in part one of this series, it’s time to get down to brass tacks. What should you fill the empty sheet of paper with since many memories flood your mind? The good news is there is no right or wrong way to write a eulogy. The most important note is tofocus on the deceased, rather than your own nerves and concerns. If you can do that, you will be well on your way to writing a heartfelt tribute that expresses your feelings about the life you have been asked to remember and honor. Continue reading Eulogy Writing: Part 2
In this classic clip from Zoolander, Ben Stiller’s character, Eric, frets about his ability to “eugoogalize.” Although his word choice is comical, his insecurities about writing and delivering a suitable eulogy are based in fact. Many struggle with what to say at a loved one’s funeral. When a family member or friend dies, you could be called on to deliver the eulogy even as you are deep in grief. Should that occur, this blog post should help!
How to Write a Eulogy (Not a Eugoogoly)
A speech given at a memorial service, a eulogy is usually delivered by someone who was close to the deceased, regardless of that person’s ability to effectively write or speak in public. The good news is that most of us prefer brief yet specific talks with an occasional touch of appropriate humor. To effectively write a eulogy, follow these five steps:
Introduce Yourself
Even if most people know you, state your name and give a few words to describe your relationship to the deceased. Since emotions are at an all-time high at memorials and funeral services, clarification can allay reservations. A good way to begin is: “In case anyone who doesn’t know me, let me start by saying how I knew Larry,” for example. If the deceased was a family member, describe your relationship. If not, explain how and when you met.
Set the Tone
How serious or lighthearted should the eulogy be? An effective eulogy need not be uniformly somber. Just make sure the tone suits the person who died. If the person you are mourning had a sense of humor in life, feel empowered to add humor after his or her death. Levity not only helps convey the personality of the deceased but illustrates some endearing qualities. That said, consider the circumstances of the death. If you are eulogizing someone whose death was untimely, your tone would be more serious than it would if it applies to a grandparent who happily lived to see her 100th birthday.
Speak to the Crowd
Consider the audience. No matter who has passed, keep the deceased’s family and friends in mind, since the service is more for them than for the one who has died. (After all, he or she isn’t there!) Dwell on the positive. But speak the truth in love. Was the person stubborn or angry? Avoid specifically addressing negative personality traits. Instead, gingerly allude to the fact by saying something about how he or she made life interesting or kept everyone on their toes. Also, avoid inside jokes that might confuse most of the audience.
Get Real
For attendees who weren’t intimately acquainted with the person who died, offer basic information. Your eulogy should touch on a few key points, such as family life, career achievements and hobbies. But try not to make it sound dry, like an obituary. Try to find a way to offer praise or otherwise honor the deceased.
Tip: In your grief, you could forget the names of important people on the day of the funeral. To avoid this, write down the names of family members and close friends. Say something specific about the family life and friendships of the deceased, which could comfort loved ones.
Tell a Story
Don’t recite a list of the deceased qualities. Instead, mention a quality and illustrate it with a story. Before the service, talk to relevant parties to get their impressions, memories, and thoughts about the deceased. Then, record your own specific memories. Look for a common theme that ties ideas together. And try to illustrate the theme by using specific examples.
Check back next week, when we will conclude this series, and offer specific eulogy-writing steps.
About Foothill Funeral & Cremation
We can help you plan the funeral of your dreams.
We love offering help with everything from writing eulogies to making final arrangements. We can also help guide you through the grieving process. Call us now or at your time of need (626) 335-0615. Feel free to drop by our Glendora showroom. Our relationship with United Methodist Church is the perfect place for mourners to host funerals and memorials. You’ll love the grandiose yet intimate setting. We proudly serve the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Basin, Orange County and the Inland Empire. Working in the mortuary industry since 1996, we have worked hard to build a reputation of quality, sincerity and trust. Please allow us to help you at your time of need or in the future. Call today (626) 335-0615 or contact us via email.
The passing of a loved one is a profound and emotional experience, and speaking at their funeral can be both a privilege and a challenge. At Foothill Funeral in Glendora, California, we understand the importance of commemorating the life and legacy of your loved one with heartfelt words and meaningful tributes while speaking at a funeral. Drawing inspiration from expert guidance, we offer valuable tips for delivering a touching and memorable eulogy.
Eulogies hold a profound place in commemorating a person’s life and honoring their memory. Thus, these heartfelt tributes offer solace and closure to grieving families and friends. In this blog post, we discuss some of the most renowned eulogies in history, which have left a lasting impact and continue to inspire.
When a loved one dies, it can be a difficult and emotional time for family and friends. One of the most challenging tasks during this time is writing a eulogy. A eulogy is a speech given at a funeral or memorial service to celebrate the life and honor the memory of the deceased. It is essential to write an effective eulogy that captures the spirit and essence of the person while providing comfort to those grieving. In this post, we will provide some tips on how to write an effective eulogy. 
