Funeral Speech - Some Helpful Tips for Writing a Eulogy

Delivering a funeral speech can be especially difficult. Few events in life are as emotionally charged as a funeral, so having to speak at this event is extremely hard for most people.

If you are asked to deliver a eulogy for someone, there's a pretty good chance that you knew that person well and may have been very close with them over the years.

While it may be difficult to write and deliver a funeral speech under these circumstances, there are some tips to keep in mind that will make the entire process a little easier to get through.

Honesty is Essential

When people go to a person's funeral, they want to remember that person as they were when they were still alive.

When you are preparing your eulogy, take time to think about the person. What did you know about the deceased? How long did you know this person?

Do you have any special memories of the person that would be appropriate to share with the mixed company at a funeral?

It's important to answer these questions honestly and keep that emphasis throughout your speech.

Friends and family members don't want to hear lies or fabrications, keep the eulogy honest and respectful.

Stay in Tune with the Mood

Every funeral is different. Some families get especially emotional and have very serious and sad funerals for their loved ones.

At these types of funerals it wouldn't be appropriate to crack jokes or tell funny stories throughout your funeral speech.

Don't let your eulogy distract from the tone that the family and friends of the deceased have set for the funeral.

On the other hand, though, having a few sad parts to your speech, peppered with a sweet, funny memory of the person you are eulogizing can be a very comforting speech for the funeral guests to hear.

Adding a poem or quote on death might also be a comfort to those close to the departed.

Use Your Time Wisely

The worst thing that can happen with any kind of speech is that it goes on for too long.

Even if you are a lifelong friend who has lots of stories and memories of the deceased, don't share them all. People will not want to listen if your speech drags on and on.

This is a good rule of thumb for any type of public speaking engagement. It's hard to gauge exactly how long is too long, but have a canned closing line ready, just in case you notice the funeral attendees losing interest.

A good funeral speech may be one that you never want to give. It's hard to say goodbye to the special people in our lives.

Be sure to keep your eulogy honest, in tune with the family's wishes and keep it from going too long.

Good public speaking habits need to be followed, even at somber occasions, like funerals.

Know your topic. Know the audience. And know when to end the speech and get out of the spotlight.

 

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