How to Write your eulogy

1. Death is a delightful hiding place for weary men. ~Herodotus How to Write your eulogy

2. Take a break to prepare • Before you start to write your speech take a break. • Life history – this is a short summary of someone’s life. These speeches are often fascinating and reveal a side to the deceased that was not always known. • Tribute – this brings out some of the highlights or achievements in somebody’s life. This is the form adopted in many obituaries in the newspaper. • Shared memories – This is a personal insight, not into the life of the deceased, but of memories that you shared with them. These are often very touching and are one of the easiest to do. They obviously must be given by someone close to the person. • Legacy – this focuses on their achievements and what they have left after them – children, changed lives, completed projects. These are usually given by someone who has been greatly affected by the person.

3. Keep it short • To keep the impact of a speech – keep it short. • Just a few will be enough to say what you have to say. • You will need to write it down and rehearse to make sure that you keep to time.

4. Focus on the life, not on the death • It is so easy to focus on death when writing your eulogy, but think of some of your achievements, family, friends, etc. • Focus on the better times, on the happy memories – on the life. • Everyone in the audience will already be “sad”, let them take away a few happy memories.

5. Rehearse • Rehearsal really is key. Rehearse your speech out loud at least four times. This will help keep you from stumbling over words. • One of these rehearsals should be in front of an audience – a member of the family or a friend. • If you can put in the rehearsal time, your speech will get much better. You will also have the chance to fine tune it.

6. Your Eulogy • You will write and present your eulogy for our Living Funeral. • Think about some of the things that you would want people to say about you. • Then select how you want to present your eulogy (life history, tribute, shared memories, legacy, or some other format). • Decide who is giving your eulogy and make sure that is clear in your speech.

7. Eulogy Examples • Michael Jackson's Eulogy - Brooke Shields • Michael Jackson's Eulogy - Berry Gordy • Bindi's Eulogy for her Dad - Steve Irwin