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maximize the level of service and with your grief, and being chosen to
minimize the potential for human error. give a eulogy is an honor and should be
Since it is illegal to perform more than treated that way. Here are some tips for
one cremation at a time, and the vast writing and delivering an eloquent and
majority of crematories can only cremate memorable eulogy.
one body at a time, it is next to impossible
to receive the incorrect remains. Gather information. Talk with family
members, close friends and co- workers
How long does the actual cremation to get important information on the
take? deceased. Some important information
It all depends on the weight of the to include in the eulogy is the person’s
individual. For an average sized adult, family and other close relationships,
cremation can take two to three hours at a their education/career, hobbies or
normal operating temperature of between special interests, places the person
1000 and 2000 degrees 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 lines. Keep in mind your time constraints,
a memorial service or if the remains are it’s best to keep things on the short side,
to be interred in a cemetery. If an urn is especially if there are other speakers.
not purchased or provided by the family,
the cremated remains will be returned in Review and Revise. Your first draft will not
a 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
while being both somber and funny at making it look as though you’re reading
the same time? Writing and delivering a from a script. The more you practice
eulogy is a therapeutic tool to help deal the more comfortable you will be. Make
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