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Writing and delivering a eulogy by summing up a life in writing is no easy task. While dealing with your grief of the loss of a loved one, you must find the time to organize your thoughts and feelings, put them down on paper, and then deliver your eulogy -  often in a short amount of time. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you write and deliver an impactful eulogy:

Keep Your Eulogy Brief

It is a good idea to keep your eulogy around 1,000 words, which is about six to seven minutes of speaking time. Often, the longer you speak, it is more likely you will begin to ramble and make listeners feel awkward, bored, or even uncomfortable. This is why instead of summing up a person’s life, focus on a specific quality that you admire in them or share a story about them that expresses their personality or was a formative moment in their lives. 

Keep Your Eulogy Personal

Avoid simply rattling off a long list of character traits or things like they liked to do. This approach will not be very interesting to listen to as it is not very personal to you or everyone listening. Instead, try to relate something that you witnessed firsthand or that personally involved you. By limiting the scope of your remarks in this way, you should find it easier to write your eulogy.

Keep Your Eulogy Positive

Try and focus on the positive aspect of their life. However, in some cases, you might find it's hard not to reference something negative or unflattering about them. If you find yourself in this situation, try using a euphemism to help get you past the awkward point in your eulogy.

Write Your Eulogy Down

It is always a good idea to have your eulogy written down. While you may not need to directly refer to it, it is always good to have on hand in case you stumble on your words and need to directly reference it.

Keep Your Eulogy Conversational

A great fear for many is speaking in public. While you probably have no issues talking to your family members, friends, co-workers, or even strangers, the real difference is that nobody is watching you in those situations. To help deliver your eulogy effectively, speak in a conversational tone like you are talking to a family member or friend. Do not forget to look up at your listeners from time to time and make eye contact. Doing this can help make your eulogy feel more like a conversation, and you will be less likely to rush through the eulogy or deliver it in a monotone voice. However, if you feel you can not look at your audience without growing emotional, then keep your focus on your written words. Do not feel self-conscious if you need to pause for a moment to compose yourself.

LeClair Cremation Centre is here to help you during this difficult time. Give us a call when you need us at 705-527-8955.