November 24th, 2022

Writing a eulogy can feel like an insurmountable task. You may be struggling to find the right words to honor a loved one, or feel like your eulogy will fall short of what that person deserves. No matter what you’re feeling, however, it’s important to take the time to write a eulogy. Eulogies are speeches that celebrate the life of someone who has died. They also provide insight on how this person impacted those around them and their community at large. Whether you are tasked with writing a eulogy for a friend or family member, or you want to know how in case such need arises, the following information is sure to help you succeed.
 
 
What is a eulogy?
A eulogy is a speech that pays tribute to someone who has died. It is typically given at a person’s funeral service and is meant to celebrate their life as well as inform others of how this person impacted their loved ones and the community at large. Eulogies are usually prepared and written in advance, but can also be given impromptu in some situations.
 
How to write a eulogy
The first step toward writing a eulogy is to reflect on the relationship you had with the person who has passed. This will help you get in touch with your feelings and put you in the right frame of mind to begin writing. You’ll also want to do your research. You may have known your loved one well, but you may have forgotten many details of their life over the years. Look at photos, watch old home movies, or read letters and journals to help you remember what your loved one was like. You may even find it helpful to interview friends and family members who knew your loved one. Ask them questions about what they remember most about the person and any stories they can share. This will help you paint a more complete picture of your loved one and make your eulogy more meaningful. Another alternative that many people use is to hire a professional eulogy writer. There are a number of them online but the best is TheEulogyWriters.com If you hire a eulogy writer, a ton of stress will be removed at this critical time in your life.
 
Things to include in your eulogy
No two eulogies are exactly the same, and there are no rules for what to include in a eulogy. That said, there are a few guidelines for what to write in a eulogy. - Remember what made your loved one special. You may feel like you are being too sentimental, but this is important. Your loved one was special to you and those close to them, so share what made them stand out. - Focus on how this person impacted you and others. Once you remember what made your loved one special, talk about how they impacted your life and the lives of others. You can discuss how your loved one made you feel, what they taught you, or how they inspired you. - Share personal stories. This can include funny stories, serious stories, or anything in between. The goal of this section is to help others remember your loved one as a person, not just as a name on a headstone.
 
Tips for writing your eulogy
- Be yourself. Your loved one would want you to celebrate their life in your own way, not try to write something that you’re not.

- Keep it short. People will likely be sitting for quite some time, so don’t go on for hours. A eulogy should be about 3-5 minutes long, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the situation.

- Don’t try to be poetic. You don’t need to write your eulogy in verse, or even use big words. This speech is for you, not for others. - Avoid regret. If you’re regretting something about your relationship with your loved one, don’t write it in your eulogy. - Keep the tone positive. Even if you have something negative to say, write it in a way that celebrates the person and what they did while they were alive. - Practice. Even if you’re confident in your ability to write a eulogy on the fly, it’s a good idea to practice beforehand. This will help calm your nerves and make sure that everything you want to say comes out the way you want it to. - Be yourself. Your loved one would want you to celebrate their life in your own way, not try to write something that you’re not. - Keep it short. People will likely be sitting for quite some time, so don’t go on for hours. A eulogy should be about 3-5 minutes long, but it can be shorter or longer depending on the situation. - Don’t try to be poetic. You don’t need to write your eulogy in verse, or even use big words. This speech is for you, not for others. - Avoid regret. If you’re regretting something about your relationship with your loved one, don’t write it in your eulogy. - Keep the tone positive. Even if you have something negative to say, write it in a way that celebrates the person and what they did while they were alive. - Practice. Even if you’re confident in your ability to write a eulogy on the fly, it’s a good idea to practice beforehand. This will help calm your nerves and make sure that everything you want to say comes out the way you want it to.
 
Bottom line
Eulogies will always be a part of death and dying, but they don’t have to be daunting. Once you understand what a eulogy is, how it differs from a tribute, and how to write one, it will be much easier to honor the person who has passed. Even if you’ve never written a eulogy before, the process is simple. Just remember to be yourself, focus on the person you’re writing the eulogy for, and you’ll be fine.