For people who are writing eulogies for the first time, it will be easier if they have a sample to use as the basis for their funeral speech. Free samples of compliments are available in books and on the Internet. They should be used as guides for writing and personalizing the eulogy speech.
No matter how helpful free samples of compliments are to you, it would be better if your eulogy contained your own words, feelings, and thoughts about the person you just lost. Also, compliments should be personal.
One way to think about a good eulogy is to find tips and suggestions to help you write your own eulogy.
Here are some.
1. Collect your material. Gather data about the person: age, important dates, favorite places, etc. Then think of good memories with the person or behavior of the person that makes people remember them well. Talk to other family members, friends, and colleagues and ask them about their times with the deceased. Ask them for their opinion and see if you come up with a really good idea.
2. Choose a theme. What gives unity to praise is a theme. A theme will help you and your listeners distinguish patterns in the life of the deceased. Your theme can focus on the good things the deceased has done for you and others; their values and their influence on your life; the person’s behavior and lifestyle; and the most loving and fun times they shared while he or she was still alive.
3. Organize your speech. You may want to use an index card for significant memory. This way you can easily filter which memories you want to include in your eulogy speech.
4. Write your draft. Write your first draft using the information you collected and the memories you wrote on index cards. You can review each card and choose the best memories to include in your speech. Use a word processor to make editing your speech easier later. Focus on the beginning and the end of your speech. Don’t try to be formal; use a conversational tone. Include humor if you wish. It’s an effective way to ease some of the pain and tension if you’re able to laugh at things. Include appreciation and gratitude not only to the deceased, but also to the people with whom you have shared life.
5. Rehearse your speech. If you’re not used to giving speeches, in addition to the free eulogy samples you took, you may also want to borrow materials that will help you do the public speaking trick. Rehearse your speech to find awkward lines; this is your chance to do some editing. Remember to calm down and be natural. No one is against you so you don’t have to fear anything.
That is all! With that, you should be well on your way to a great eulogy speech.
