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developed rigorous sets of operating while being both somber and funny at
policies and procedures in order to the same time? Writing and delivering
maximize the level of service and a eulogy is a therapeutic tool to help
minimize the potential for human error. deal with your grief, and being chosen to
Since it is illegal to perform more than give a eulogy is an honor and should be
one cremation at a time, and the vast treated that way. Here are some tips for
majority of crematories can only cremate writing and delivering an eloquent and
one body at a time, it is next to impossible memorable eulogy.
to receive the incorrect remains.
Gather information. Talk with family
How long does the actual cremation members, close friends and co- workers
take? to get important information on the
It all depends on the weight of the deceased. Some important information
individual. For an average sized adult, to include in the eulogy is the person’s
cremation can take two to three hours family and other close relationships,
at a normal operating temperature their education/career, hobbies or
of between 1000 and 2000 degrees special interests, places the person
Fahrenheit. lived or travelled to, and any special
accomplishments they had.
What do the cremated remains look
like? Organize your thoughts. Jot down your
Cremated remains resemble coarse sand ideas by whatever means are most
and are whitish to light grey in color. The comfortable and familiar to you. Create
remains of an average sized adult usually an outline of your speech, and fill in the
weigh between 7 and 8 pounds. information that you gathered about the
person.
Are all the cremated remains returned? Write it down. This is not a toast at a
With the exception of minute and wedding where you can make off the
microscopic particles, which are cuff remarks, and you should not adlib a
impossible to remove from the cremation eulogy. Writing it all down allows you to
chamber and processing machine, all of include and remember every detail you
the cremated remains are given back to wanted to incorporate in your speech.
the family.
When you bring a copy of your eulogy to
the podium make sure it is easy to read,
Do I need an urn? print it out in a large font, or if hand-
An urn is not required by law. However, written leave a few spaces between the
an urn may be desired if there is to be a lines. Keep in mind your time constraints,
memorial service or if the remains are to it’s best to keep things on the short side,
be interred in a cemetery. If an urn is not especially if there are other speakers.
purchased or provided by the family, the
cremated remains will be returned in a Review and Revise. Your first draft will not
temporary plastic container. be the last. When you think you are done,
sleep on it and look it over in the morning
Eulogies when it is fresh again, Practice, Practice,
Practice. Read over your eulogy several
Giving a meaningful, moving eulogy can times in order to become familiar with it.
be a nerve-wracking situation for even the Practice in front of a mirror, read it over
most accomplished public speaker, but to some friends or family and have them
it need not be. How can you summarize give you feedback. Become familiar with
somebody’s life in a few short minutes, your speech so you can recite without
Page 18 - McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home
