Eulogies and Obituaries | Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home (2024)

Giving a meaningful, moving eulogy can be a nerve-wracking situation for even the most accomplished public speaker, but it need not be. How can you summarize somebody’s life in a few short minutes, while being both somber and funny at the same time? Writing and delivering a eulogy is a therapeutic tool to help deal with your grief, and being chosen to give a eulogy is an honor and should be treated that way. Here are some tips for writing and delivering an eloquent and memorable eulogy.

  • Gather information. Talk with family members, close friends and co-workers to get important information on the deceased. Some important information to include in the eulogy is the persons family and other close relationships, their education/career, hobbies or special interests, places the person lived or traveled too, and any special accomplishments they had.
  • Organize your thoughts. Jot down your ideas by whatever means are most comfortable and familiar to you. Create an outline of your speech, and fill in the information that you gathered about the person.
  • Write it down. This is not a toast at a wedding where you can make off the cuff remarks, and you should not ad lib a eulogy. Writing it all down allows you to include and remember every detail you wanted in your eulogy. When you bring a copy your eulogy to the podium make sure it is easy to read, print it out in a large font, or if it hand-written leave a few spaces between the lines. Keep in mind your time constraints, it’s best to keep things on the short side, especially if there are other speakers.
  • Review and Revise. Your first draft will not be the last. When you think you are done, sleep on it and look it over in the morning when it is fresh again, that will be the time to make any necessary revisions.
  • Practice, Practice, Practice. Read over your eulogy several times in order to become familiar with it. Practice in front of a mirror, read it over to some friends or family and have them give you feedback. Become familiar with your speech so you can recite it without making it look like you’re reading from a script. The more you practice the more comfortable you will be.
  • Make them laugh, but be respectful. A funeral is not a roast, however there is room for humor in your eulogy. Fondly remember a story about the person that everyone can relate too. Keep it appropriate, there will be children and the elderly there that may not share the same sense of humor. Laughter is truly the best medicine, and some well placed humor will help people cope, and will bring back fond memories of the deceased.
  • Don’t be afraid to show emotion. Funerals are an extremely emotional event, nobody expects you not to shed a few tears. However, if you feel that you will be too strongly overcome by your emotions, have a back-up plan in place where someone you trust can deliver the eulogy for you. Give them a copy well in advance if you feel this could be an issue.
  • Have a glass of water as well as tissues handy.

Writing an obituary is a difficult and emotional task. First, you will need to gather information from family and friends of the deceased about their childhood, education, career and hobbies and interests. As well, speak to the funeral home to receive any important information on the date, time and location of any funeral service, or other funeral related events. Using the template will help make the process easier and will ensure you write 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 went to high school at[SCHOOL NAME]and graduated in[YEAR]. He/she went on to earn 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]. He/she 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 good for getting the all the information necessary in as few words possible. However, this template is not written in stone. You can make any adjustments you feel necessary.

Eulogies and Obituaries | Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home (2024)

FAQs

How can you effectively compose a heartfelt eulogy for a deceased person? ›

How to write a eulogy – 6 tips
  • Make it personal. Introducing yourself in relation to the person you are remembering can be a good place to start. ...
  • Cover the essentials. ...
  • Get personal stories from others. ...
  • Consider the length. ...
  • Make it honest. ...
  • End on a touching note.

How do you write an obituary or eulogy? ›

There are seven basic parts to a good obituary: the announcement of your loved one's death; a summary of their life story; a list of their closest family members; information about any funeral and/or memorial services; a mention of any charities they supported; and a photo.

What is the best opening line for a eulogy? ›

You could start with something simple like: “My name is __________ , the wife/husband/son/daughter/friend of ___________.” Another idea is to explain how you knew the deceased, or how you first met. However, you should take care to avoid focusing the eulogy on you.

What is the best last line of a eulogy? ›

If you're unsure how to end your eulogy, finish with a simple goodbye, or a thank you for the memories you shared. You might choose to use traditional phrases like 'rest in peace' or 'sleep well'. Or you can use something less formal, like a greeting or joke you used to share with the person who has died.

What should you not say in a eulogy? ›

A eulogy is not the time to settle scores or air personal grievances, no matter how relevant they might seem to the speaker. Mentioning past conflicts, disappointments, or the deceased's shortcomings can create discomfort and is considered disrespectful during a time meant for mourning and reflection.

What is the first sentence of a eulogy? ›

This eulogy tip will help you to write the first paragraph. For your opening statement, introduce yourself and who you were to the deceased. For example: “Hello everyone, for those of you that don't know me, I'm Jim and I'm Flora's oldest grandchild.”

What is a good example of a eulogy? ›

Examples of real eulogies

He was a selfless man who went through his life helping others. He was chivalrous and a true gentleman. He was a lovely man, and we thank him for sharing his life with us. If I could have one single wish and never have another it would simply be to have one hour and spend it with my mother.

How do you write an emotional eulogy? ›

11 Top tips for how to write a eulogy
  1. Speak from the heart. ...
  2. Make it personal and conversational.
  3. Consider how formal to be. ...
  4. Don't be afraid of laughter. ...
  5. Getting started is the hardest part. ...
  6. Write a list of words that spring to mind when you think about the person who has died.

How to not cry during eulogy? ›

How to Not Cry While Delivering a Eulogy
  1. Keep Calm. Most people have a fear of public speaking. ...
  2. Look at the Crowd. As you are giving your speech, if you begin to feel tears swell up, look up at the audience. ...
  3. Blink. ...
  4. Take a Break. ...
  5. Practice Your Speech.
Dec 19, 2022

What is a heartfelt eulogy? ›

What makes a great eulogy. Like any great speech at a wedding or milestone birthday, a eulogy is best when spoken from the heart. It should be descriptive, heartfelt and original. It should touch on the positive attributes of your loved one, along with some of their greatest achievements or adventures.

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