Funeral Eulogy Help

Key Considerations for Creating a Eulogy for Loved Ones

Four Guidelines For Preparing The Best Funeral Eulogy For A Child

Nothing is as unimaginable as the death of a child. Whether the child is very young, or the loss is of an adult child, it is a parent’s most awful nightmare.

If you are delivering a funeral eulogy for a child, you may wish for a more traditional funeral speech. Such a speech must be written with care, sensitivity and warmth. Your eulogy will likely focus on touching the hearts of everyone, and include insights that should help to gather strength.

Eulogies for a young child who has been taken suddenly are usually delivered by a relative or family friend.  This speech can be extremely difficult as it typically seeks to sum up many of the feelings of despair, anger, confusion and sorrow that accompany the sudden death of a small child.

1.  Write everything down so you are focused, and try to keep the eulogy less than 10 minutes

2.  Attempt to share upbeat recollections, rather than exacerbate the sadness, sorrow, and loss

3.  Although you will be focusing on your relationship with the deceased, you should also be sure to mention other friends and relatives who shared a close relationship

4.  Be sure to provide a copy of your speech to someone else if you feel there is a strong possibility you may break down  and become unable to deliver this eulogy

Gather information by things such as jotting down as many personal notes about the deceased as possible.  Also, reviewing photo albums may remind you of important things to mention about this child.  A eulogy is mostly about your personal thoughts, your personal views, and your personal remembrances.

Begin to organize your content by outlining the funeral eulogy in these steps:

1.  A beginning to establish a main theme that best describes this loved one

2.  A middle section to build on your theme with personal stories, information, quotes, comments, sayings, poems and other content. This information will likely represent the large majority of your eulogy

3.  A short conclusion to summarize your thoughts and restate your theme

More key tips:

1. Keep it short, 4-8 minutes long, and 3-7 typed pages.

2. Type it out via 14 pt type so it’s simple to convert.

3. Practice performing the eulogy clearly and time yourself.

4. Write the content in excellent taste and keep it encouraging.

5. You may also consider asking others for their stories and memories.

You will likely see some repetition in your notes, which can be helpful in leading you to the main theme.  Following some of these suggestion might help you to battle through these obvious challenging and create something that is a special and rewarding tribute.

Three Important Things To Reflect On When Writing A Funeral Eulogy For Your Spouse

Once you have finally found your true love, the person whom you have selected to spend your life with, when they pass it is very normal for you to feel misplaced, angry, and alone.

Often times a spouse may not choose to deliver the eulogy at the funeral or memorial services simply, because he or she is too close and too emotionally involved.  Maintaining the ability to speak before other loved ones about the life of the person they loved so dearly can be one of the most difficult challenges one can face.

Here are three considerations when reflecting on the loss of your spouse:

1. Traditional funeral eulogy

Begin by speaking a little bit about when, where, and how you met.  Talk about how you life has changed since they have been in it and be sure to mention any children, grandchildren, and/or pets.  Then, consider something less serious such as sharing a funny story about their careers, hobbies, or interests.

2. Spouse poem:

Poetry often can reveal your deepest feelings about your spouse. It can also bring to life emotions that otherwise couldn’t be expressed. When you recite a poem as a eulogy you are sharing on the very deepest level. If you are not a poem writer there are plenty of poems available on the Internet that you can either use directly, or use as a base to create your own.

3.  A spouse and brief marriage:

Begin with a bit about when, where, and how you met, as well as how your life has changed since they have been in it.  Be sure to point out any children and/or stepchildren and grandchildren.  Then, consider sharing a funny story about their profession, hobbies, and/or interests.  Consider saying something such as, “My only regret was that our time together was so short. However, I know that the love we shared and the things that I learned from him/her will keep me until we are reunited one day. I will spend my life loving and remembering every memory we shared.”

If you are the spouse, you are likely the person who knows them best, how to best remember him/her, and whether delivering a eulogy is a realistic option for you.  Your love for this spouse will never be measured by whether you speak or not, nor how you deliver it.

Three Important Thoughts When Writing a Sibling Funeral Eulogy

1.  As a sibling:

It would not be uncommon to begin by talking about the fact that when you were kids, you frequently battled and bickered. In fact, it brings some reality to the situation since this is just the natural order of things. And adults, sometimes we still clash with our siblings and can even lose touch. However, for most, our relationships with our brothers and sisters can intensify as we age and mature.

In many ways, our siblings are the only other people who experienced the same things we did growing up.  In fact, it is very common that from growing up in the same family you carry similar characteristics.

However, no matter what you’re feeling, if you feel compelled or if you are asked to eulogize your brother or sister, this funeral eulogy can take many forms. You can use it as a chance to share family stories – funny or serious. You can use it as an opportunity to share your true and innermost feelings about your brother or sister with the world.  And, you can take this chance to make everyone aware of how special your sibling was to you and others he/she touched.

2.  Traditional Brother Eulogy:

Describe a humorous fight or moment between you and your brother as children, such as a tussle over a favorite toy, or jealousy over who got the bigger piece of cake.  You can also describe a time when your brother showed you some kindness or compassion that stood out and showed the type of person they really were.  You can describe a time in your life when saw your brother emerged to become a special person, such as after a marriage or birth of a child.  Consider seizing the opportunity to discuss your brother’s adult life as a husband, a father, a soldier, or a professional. Finally, consider naming ways in which you and your brother were alike, how you bonded together, and even use examples.

3.  Traditional Sister Eulogy:

Share a story from your childhood, whether funny or serious. You can also describe a time when, as children, your sister showed you some kindness or did kind and generous things.  You can share stories about your adult lives, which can also be humorous or serious. Be sure to list her accomplishments including her family, charitable contributions, career, interests, etc. Finally, consider describing some of the things you both had in common, as well as some of the positive influences your sister had on you and others.

The death of a sibling can be a difficult and confusing experience. For some, it’s like losing a piece of them, or losing a shadow.  For others, it’s a sign of their own mortality. Some see the death of a sibling as breaking a connection to their past and some grieve over the fact that they have lost an opportunity to become closer in the future.

Four Things to Think About When Writing A Father’s Funeral Eulogy

Regardless of your age or your relationship with a parent, the loss can be particularly difficult. The reality is there is a part of us that will always feel like a child…and their child…no matter how grown-up, sophisticated, or old we become.

When your father dies, the feelings you experience may not only be confusing, but you may also feel vulnerable and unprotected.  After all, your father is usually your role model, the man you look up to, and the man you might always turn to for support or protection.

Below are four types of eulogies for fathers that you can consider depending on your personal situation.  By using some of these ideas as well as adding your own details to each funeral eulogy, this should help bring back those fond memories that comfort you, and should also comfort those who join you in mourning his passing.

1. Traditional father eulogy:

You can begin by mentioning his birth and childhood.  You can also talk about where he grew up, his parents, and any of his siblings. Then maybe share a story from your father’s childhood, whether serious or humorous.  You can also mention any significant pieces of his life such as college, friends, or military experiences. Then you can talk a little about when he met your mother and the great life they shared.  As you end, think about reflecting on his career and any accomplishments, painting the picture of the man everyone knew.

2. Funny father eulogy:

Begin by describing a funny story or, conversely, a challenging moment that your father faced, depending on the mood you want to set. You can try to keep the entire eulogy humorous and light, particularly if your father was also very humorous.  Then you can consider ending with something serious such as;  “When I look out at all of you here, I can’t help but remember the times so many of us spent with my father.  I can see in your eyes how much you all love and miss him, and I know he his wish would be for us to remember him as if he were here right now.”

3. Write a father poem:

Reciting poetry often can reveal your deepest feelings about your father. It can also bring to life emotions that otherwise couldn’t be expressed, since you are usually able to share at the very deepest level through poetry.  To find help, you can find volumes of wonderful poetry that you can either recite directly, or use it as a base to create your own poem.

4. Using a father letter:

Writing a letter for your father is can often be a well-liked and common alternative. The reason why this can be popular is you can write this letter as if you are speaking directly to him, or even speaking for him.  This allows you to highlight things about his lifetime such as what he experienced, the lessons he learned, and the great life he enjoyed.  You can end this type of eulogy by talking about how much he taught you through your life, and how instrumental he was in forming the person you are today.

No matter what type you choose, the best way to take comfort is usually be reflecting on all the great memories you shared, and the lessons you learned. This is best when you can reflect not only on the memories that you shared when you were younger, but also the times you shared together as adults.

Three Things to Think About When Writing a Funeral Eulogy For a Mother

When most of us reflect on the word “home,” usually the first thing that comes to mind is our mother. In most families, the mother is the foundation of comfort, and the giver of all wonderful things such as food, praise, affection, support, and unconditional love.  Mothers are usually always there for us, always selflessly caring for us, and always willing to listen.

The sad reality is that as many of us grow older and life and time passes by, we can often overlook and under appreciate our mother and the many sacrifices she made for us.  Then, as we mature into adulthood, we become more capable of appreciating our mother.  This is often when we actually “connect” with her and realize how special and wonderful she really is, and how she is the “heart and soul” of the family.

One of the most common lessons we learn after losing our mother is that we should never forget to tell the people we love how we feel…and as often as we can.  Sometimes we simply forget, and sometimes we just assume they already know.  Therefore, when that difficult time comes and our mother passes, many of us tend to wonder if she really knew how much we loved her.

So losing a mother often gives us a chance to create a eulogy that serves as special opportunity to express our love and gratitude.  This funeral eulogy can not only be an excellent chance to not only say those words to her, but also tell everyone that has gathered to honor her how you felt.

Here are some different styles to consider when creating a eulogy for your mother:

1. Traditional Mother Eulogy:

Start out from the very beginning, even talking about when and where she was born.  Be sure to discuss her parents (if present) considering they are also very likely experiencing deep suffering.  Also try to share stories about any siblings that your mother had, including the wonderful stories and memories from her childhood.  Then you can progress to remembering when she met your father, as well as touch upon the great love and life they shared together.  Consider ending with something special she did, creating a lasting image of who she was and why she will be so dearly missed.

2. Mother Eulogy Poem:

Poetry is a way for many people to express deep and meaningful feelings in a way they could not otherwise share.  Since reciting a poem as your eulogy enables you to share your feelings on the very deepest level, you can help remember her with wonderful thoughts and stories that define her.  Poems are easily found on the Internet and in card shops, so you can use the poems you find, or use them to build a personal poem around.

3. Mother Eulogy Letter:

Writing a note to your mom is frequently an accepted option. The way this is often accomplished is by reading this letter as if you were speaking the details directly to her.  This provides you the opportunity to mention your appreciation for the gifts she gave you, such as her love, care, and the training that she taught you throughout your life.

One last point to make is that we should remember that our mothers are no only caregivers, but also wives, partners, friends, colleagues, leaders, sisters and daughters.  Therefore, when recounting the beautiful story of your mother’s life, try to refer to those aspects of her world if possible.

Contributing Author, Hal Stephens.