Page 28 - v1-DonohueGuide-WorkingFile-TA
P. 28
EULOGIES & NOTICES
How do I write a eulogy? Write it down. This is not a toast at a
Giving a meaningful, moving eulogy wedding where you can make off the
can be a nerve-wracking situation for cuff remarks, and you should not adlib
even the most accomplished public a eulogy. Writing it all down allows
speaker, but it need not be. How you to include and remember every
can you summarize somebody’s life detail you wanted in your eulogy.
in a few short minutes, while being When you bring a copy of your eulogy
both somber and funny at the same to the podium make sure it is easy to
time? Writing and delivering a eulogy read, print it out in a large font, or if
is a therapeutic tool to help deal with it is hand-written leave a few spaces
your grief, and being chosen to give between the lines. Keep in mind your
a eulogy is an honor and should be time constraints, it’s best to keep
treated that way. Here are some tips things on the short side, especially if
for writing and delivering an eloquent there are other speakers.
and memorable eulogy.
Review and Revise. Your first draft will
Gather information. Talk with family not be the last. When you think you
members, close friends and co- are done, sleep on it and look it over
workers to get important information in the morning when it is fresh again,
on the deceased. Some important that will be the time to make any
information to include in the eulogy necessary revisions.
is the persons family and other close
relationships, their education/career, Practice, Practice, Practice. Read
hobbies or special interests, places over your eulogy several times in order
the person lived or travelled too, and to become familiar with it. Practice in
any special accomplishments they front of a mirror, read it over to some
had. friends or family and have them give
you feedback. Become familiar with
Organize your thoughts. Jot down your speech so you can recite it without
your ideas by whatever means are making it look like you’re reading from
most comfortable and familiar to you. a script. The more you practice the
Create an outline of your speech, more comfortable you will be.
and fill in the information that you
gathered about the person.
Page 28
