Eulogies & Obituaries

Eulogies & Obituaries

Giving a meaningful eulogy, or writing an obituary, can be a nerve-wracking situation for even the most accomplished public speaker. We have gathered some resources to help you along the way.

Eulogies

Delivering a meaningful and moving eulogy can be a nerve-wracking experience for even the most accomplished public speaker, but it doesn't have to be. How can you summarize someone's life in a few short minutes while being both somber and humorous? Writing and delivering a eulogy is a therapeutic tool to help cope with grief, and being chosen to give a eulogy is an honor. Here are some tips for crafting and delivering an eloquent and memorable eulogy:

1. Gather Information: Talk with family members, close friends, and co-workers to gather important details about the deceased. Include information about the person's family and close relationships, education/career, hobbies or special interests, places they lived or traveled, and any special accomplishments.
2. Organize Your Thoughts: Note your ideas in a way that is most comfortable for you. Create an outline of your speech and fill in the information you gathered.
3. Write It Down: Unlike a wedding toast, a eulogy should not be ad-libbed. Writing it down helps ensure you include every detail you want. Bring a copy to the podium, printed in a large font or hand-written with spaces between the lines. Keep your eulogy brief, especially if there are other speakers.
4. Review and Revise: Your first draft won't be your last. After writing, sleep on it, and review it the next day with a fresh mind. Make any necessary revisions at that time.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice: Read your eulogy several times to become familiar with it. Practice in front of a mirror, or read it to friends or family for feedback. The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll be, allowing you to deliver your speech naturally.
6. Incorporate Appropriate Humor: While a funeral is not a roast, there is room for humor. Share a story about the person that everyone can relate to, ensuring it is appropriate for all attendees. Humor can help people cope and bring back fond memories of the deceased.
7. Show Emotion: Funerals are emotional events, and it's natural to shed tears. If you fear being overcome by emotion, have a backup plan with someone you trust to deliver the eulogy. Provide them with a copy in advance if needed.
8. Prepare for Comfort: Have a glass of water and tissues handy.

By following these tips, you can deliver a heartfelt and memorable eulogy that honors the deceased and provides comfort to those in attendance.

Obituaries

Writing an obituary is a challenging and emotional task. Begin by gathering information from the family and friends of the deceased about their childhood, education, career, hobbies, and interests. Additionally, contact the funeral home to obtain important details about the date, time, and location of the funeral service and other related events. The following template can help streamline the process and ensure that you create a properly structured obituary.

Instructions: Replace all items in ITALICS below with the appropriate information.



[GIVEN NAME] [MIDDLE NAME (AND NICKNAME)] [SURNAME NAME], [AGE], of [CITY], [STATE], passed away on [DATE OF DEATH] in [LOCATION OF DEATH].

Funeral service will be held at [LOCATION] on [DATE] at [TIME] with Reverend [NAME] of [CHURCH] officiating. Burial will follow at [CEMETERY NAME], [CEMETERY LOCATION]. Visitation will be held at [LOCATION] on [DATE] at [TIME]. [NAME OF FUNERAL HOME] will be handling the funeral arrangements.

[NAME] was born in [LOCATION OF BIRTH] to [PARENT’S NAMES] on [DATE OF BIRTH]. He/she attended high school at [SCHOOL NAME] and graduated in [YEAR]. He/she earned a degree/certificate in [DEGREE TYPE] from [SCHOOL NAME]. He/she worked as a [JOB TYPE] for [COMPANY] for [NUMBER OF YEARS]. He/she enjoyed [ACTIVITIES/HOBBIES], received [AWARDS/HONORS], and was involved in [CHARITIES/ORGANIZATIONS].

[NAME] is survived by his/her [RELATION], [NAME] of [CITY]. (List all survivors: spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews). He/she is preceded in death by his/her [RELATION], [NAME]. (List predeceased: spouse, parents, children, and siblings.)

Memorial donations may be made to [ORGANIZATION NAME], [MAILING ADDRESS]. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to [ORGANIZATION/NAME].

[FINAL WORDS]

Remember, most newspapers charge by the word. This template is designed to include all necessary information concisely. However, feel free to make any adjustments you deem necessary.