Notes on Writing a Eulogy

If you’re preparing to say goodbye to someone important to you, there is a lot to think about. A significant part of the funeral ceremony is the eulogy or tribute. Putting this together can feel like the most overwhelming thing. You might be wondering where to start. Or how to find the words to sum up an entire life in a few minutes.

In this post, I cover some of the key points about eulogies and how to put them together

Before you start

Before you start writing a eulogy, take some time to think about your loved one. Who they were, key moments in their life and any funny memories. Did they have any funny sayings (yes, even the inappropriate sweary ones). A eulogy doesn’t have to be a complete biography: the most meaningful ones are the ones that tell a person’s story in a way that only the people who knew and loved them can. That says more than a list of dates ever could.

If you’re struggling to think of anything

You might find that when you sit down to write the eulogy that you struggle to think of anything. If this happens, take a break and do something else for a while. It can often be the case that things come to you when you’re doing something else. Try to write them down or voice note them as soon as you can.

Humour is acceptable in a eulogy!

Don’t be scared to include humour in a eulogy if that reflects who your person was! When I was planning my nan’s funeral ceremony, I included lots of funny memories in her eulogy and my tribute. She loved nothing more than making people laugh and that’s what everyone remembers about her. The eulogy is a tribute to your person, so include the things that make people listening think “yes, that was them”.

Things to remember

A eulogy doesn’t need to be perfectly polished. It needs to be a fitting tribute to your person, and it can include whatever you want it to.