How To Write A Eulogy

How to Write a Eulogy

During a funeral service, delivering a eulogy is an opportunity to honour your loved one’s memory, keeping their spirit alive through heartfelt words. Crafting such a tribute can be daunting amidst grief and the weight of public speaking.

We’re here to offer guidance and support, providing you with eulogy templates and examples to navigate this important task with confidence.

What is a Eulogy?

A eulogy is a speech or piece of writing read aloud at a funeral. The heartfelt reading shares the highs, lows, loves, and dislikes of your loved one lost. A eulogy is an opportunity to reflect on all your loved one has achieved, with trickles of personality and attention to what matters to your loved one.

As the person writing and delivering a eulogy, it can bring up a variety of emotions. It can also feel daunting to capture everything that is most important on the day, and knowing that you can’t cover everything is okay. Just do your best. As much as we share eulogy examples and templates, sometimes it’s okay to go off script, read the room, and allow the memories that feel right to share in that moment to surface.

How To Write A Eulogy?

Knowing how to write a eulogy and where to start can be tricky. Some people find a chronological helpful structure and jot down points for the beginning, middle, and end, finishing off with a lasting, personal memory from the reader. A chronological structure can also be a way of working through your loved one’s life to help bring up memories and ideas in an orderly way.

For some, it can be helpful to go back to basics and relieve the pressure. Why not write a list of things that spring to mind about your loved one without knowing where they fit for now? This can help you narrow your favourite memories, quotes, or achievements. A eulogy draft can be edited many times; don’t forget that.

No two eulogies will be the same. The funeral speech should symbolise the loved one you have lost, with personal touches embedded throughout. There isn’t a perfect eulogy, and you can bring up key parts of your loved one’s life that aren’t always as well-rounded as their most significant achievements. It’s okay to strike a balance and keep the reading authentic.

What to Include in a Eulogy

To write and deliver a brief yet memorable eulogy, here are some things to include to cover all bases.

1. Focus On How They Made People Feel: You may have heard the term “ they light up a room.” Perhaps your loved one was always the one to make people laugh, had more wisdom than anyone you ever knew, or was always the person who made time to sit and listen to people. Highlight their key attributes and how they translated into everyday moments that have stuck with you.
2. A Eulogy Should Tell A Story: Choosing core moments isn’t always easy. You may have heard stories from family members about how your loved one was and what they have achieved. Or, you might have some stories representing how your loved one made people feel. If in doubt, take the time to speak to family members to go over your thoughts and stories together.
3. Expressing Gratitude Through Grief: Take a moment to express your genuine love, gratitude, and the impact your loved one made on your life. Say thank you to them for all that they cared about and loved and for their attributes. Sharing gratitude is a way to honour them, pay your respects, and connect with your nearest and dearest.
4. Eulogy Endings: Here’s where your planning, writing of a eulogy, flow, and structure all fall into place. End the eulogy with a heartfelt message, quote, or memory that reflects your loved one’s key attributes and achievements. Now is the time to summarise your relationship with the loved one you have lost.

Eulogy Examples

For heartfelt, personal eulogies, here are a couple of short but sweet examples to help you commemorate a loved one meaningfully to you and your family.

For a Parent: “Today, we gather to honour the life of my beloved parent, who was not only a guiding light but also a source of unconditional love. Their wisdom and kindness touched the lives of everyone they encountered. As we bid farewell, let us carry forward their legacy of compassion and strength.”

For a Friend: “In the memories we shared and the laughter we enjoyed, my dear friend’s spirit lives on. They were a beacon of joy and friendship, always ready with a listening ear and a comforting word. Though they may be gone, their presence will forever remain in our hearts.”

For a Spouse: “My heart is heavy as I stand here today to bid farewell to my beloved spouse. They were my rock, my confidant, and my soulmate. Their love illuminated my life in countless ways, and though they are no longer by my side, their spirit will continue to guide me through life’s journey.”

Eulogy Template

A eulogy doesn’t have one set template. You can order a eulogy in a way that flows for you and around what you want to say. Here are two eulogy templates to guide you.

If you are wondering, how long should a eulogy be? Consider fitting everything you want to say in a three-to-five-minute speech.

Eulogy Template 1: Storytelling and Memories

• Address the room with a short welcome introduction.
• Share a brief quote, poem, or lines from a song.
• Deliver a core memory that reflects a meaningful part of their life.
• Talk about what made your loved one happy. What did they care about, and what were their values?
• Share a time that brought the two of you together and why this memory is important to your relationship.
• Thank everyone for being there to commemorate and respect them.
• Say your final goodbyes.

Eulogy Template 2: A Reflection of Life and Achievement

• Address the room with a short welcome introduction.
• Focus on who they were and your loved one’s key relationships: Were they a devoted mother, attentive sister, proud and involved father, or spritely and loving sibling?
• Select a key memory that brings the room together. What holidays or events did you share?
• What was their routine? Is there a hobby they couldn’t skip in the week or was work their driving force? Here’s where you can acknowledge what was important to them and how everyone knew them.
• Say a short goodbye and end with a poem or saying.

Delivering a Eulogy

Once you’ve written a eulogy, it’s time to think about how to share it at the funeral. Sometimes, less is more. You can keep a eulogy to 3-5 sentences, ensuring you’ve touched upon their important characteristics and what they meant to you. You are bound to adapt the eulogy template you chose to align with your delivery and tone and appropriate for your relationship.

Take it Slow

Remind yourself that there’s no rush when delivering a eulogy. Speak slowly and mindfully, making eye contact with people in the room when you can. Best of all, don’t overthink it. You might even go off-script and lead with your heart. We’re all human, and most of all, reading a eulogy is emotional. Don’t go in with expectations of the perfect speech without raw, unedited feelings and thoughts creeping into the equation.