Funeral Eulogy Examples


Eulogy is a kind of speech that is delivered in a memorial service to remember the life that was lived by the person who died.

Eulogy is also one way of coping up one’s loss because it is through this kind of speech that we will be strolling down the memory lane of the person who just died. This also induces a rollercoaster and a wave of various emotions. A eulogy would usually contain the precious memories, praises, and memorable quotes or remarks left by the ones who passed away and this can somehow lessen the burden that you are feeling.

Eulogies are a common part of funeral services around the world, and can also be found in retirement celebrations or farewell parties. There will come a point in our lives that we would have to write and deliver a eulogy. Here are some tips on how to write and deliver your own eulogy, as well as some examples of each type of eulogy that, can serve as your guideline when you would already be writing your own eulogy.

Tips on How to Write Your Own Eulogy

In the time that you are to write a eulogy is also a time that you would be reminiscing the times when your beloved loved one who passed away was still alive. Although it can get hard, there will always be a way to make writing eulogies easier. Here are a few tips on how to write your own eulogy that will not anymore induce the additional heavy feeling that is already on your chest:

  • You may want to visit some old memories by going to places you used to visit or look through old photos. This might be too much, but this will help you write your last words of goodbyes.
  • Talk to people or common friends and families. This will not only help you write more content in your eulogy but this will also help you and friends or family to cope up with the loss because they, too, have heavy feelings due to t the loss. Sharing similar sentiments as well as mutual memories or moments when he or she was still alive can also be helpful.
  • If there is a wave of memories that comes crashing into your head as you think of things to put in the content of your eulogy, chances are, you might get too overwhelmed. The best thing to do when there are just so many details you want to include in your eulogy is that you should start with a piece of blank paper, brainstorm, list all the thing you want to include, and after doing so, choose at least five things from your list that you would want to put in the first draft of your eulogy. Those five things can be the main points of your entire eulogy and this will serve as your guideline.
  • You might also want to consider including other memories that most of the attendees in the funeral service will be able to relate especially the meaningful ones or something that others could really picture out because they, too, also had a similar experience with yours. It’s not necessarily a mutual memory.
  • You can also find a place where you can be alone and reminisce peacefully. Sometimes being alone and doing things on your own can help you exhaust all your emotions and it can help you be creative in writing the content of your eulogy.
  • Or you can do it with your mutual friends, this way they will be able to give their own share of memories and they will also help you in choosing what events or memories that you should include in the content of your eulogy.

Tips on How to Deliver Your Own Eulogy

Even if you can read your own eulogy by paper, there is a great chance that you will have a difficulty in delivering the eulogy you wrote yourself because of the overwhelming emotions. With that, here are some tips that can help you in delivering a eulogy:

  • You can practice your speech so that you can organize your thoughts and try to balance your feelings when you would already be presenting your eulogy in front of the people.
  • Crying in front of your audience can be inevitable. When delivering a speech, you may want to avoid looking at the crowd or seeing people cry. You can look somewhere else (maybe across the room) or no one in particular. Because remember that you are still delivering a speech and the purpose of a speech is deliver a message. How can you effectively deliver your message when you are already sobbing?
  • Be prepared: bring your own water and tissue. As mentioned above: crying can be inevitable during funerals. Crying affects the way you would deliver you eulogy so make sure you are prepared whenever there are instances that would interrupt your delivery.
  • A little cheat sheet won’t hurt. It’s definitely okay to just read your eulogy on paper. Just because you are reading your eulogy doesn’t make it less sincere. In fact, this will help you keep track when you would become too overwhelmed with all your feelings. This will surely keep you on track with where you are if ever you would stop to wipe your tears or calm yourself down from crying.

Funeral Eulogy Types and Examples

Here are some types and examples of a funeral eulogy:

1. The Formal Eulogy

The formal eulogy is more of an informative eulogy. This consist of the person’s details such as achievements, position/work, academics, interests, etc. This eulogy is mainly focused on the person who passed away, rather than the memories he or she had with the speaker. This is less nostalgic but more on personal details.

Here is an example of a body of a formal eulogy:

“He had lived his life full of amazing and inspiring achievements. He made his parents proud. He changed lives and thought us many things. He had imprinted his name all over the school campuses he’s been to, a place where I know he will be remembered.

He was the existence of dreams do come true, he was able to tear down limits we created in our lives. He believed that everything can be learned through hard work and dedication. His dedication to helping students to achieve their dreams will never be forgotten. He has lived a life of hard work, that through this hard work he was able to achieve things we thought was impossible. He believed in your own capabilities.

He was a restless worker of their company, a gentle and committed officer. A very patient learner that earned him his Ph.D. He has been a great supporter of the Local Football Team, leaving them a great amount of money to support the incoming generation who also believes in the football sport. He was brave enough to build his own organization helping old people because as he always says ‘They might be old and close to death himself but still, they deserve all the best thing in the world in their remaining days.’

He had done great things and had been a great person. This has been difficult for everyone, this is a tragic event but one thing for sure he will forever be in our hearts. We will surely continue the advocacy and beliefs he had established”

2. The Short Eulogy

The Short Eulogy is the most convenient eulogy: direct and short. Eulogies are always personal and come from the closest people who had shared so many happy and sad memories of the deceased person. It is sentimental and often times, they stir up emotion. With a short eulogy, you might survive the entire speech without crying or sounding hoarse (but it is okay if you did).

Here is an example of a body of a short eulogy:

“She was a ray of sunshine. A warmth and comfort you feel in a tight embrace. She was a good friend, a dear one, a beloved. She was and she is important. She had turned sadness into dancing. She was a definition of ‘one call away’. She was too much in every good and positive way. She would laugh before saying a joke. She is one of the best. Rest in peace, my love. Till we see each other again.”

3. The Humorous Eulogy

The humorous eulogy is different from the other types of eulogy as this type of eulogy would lighten up the mood at every funeral. This helps people forget about the tragic loss. Delivering this type of eulogy will be something memorable to the people who would be able to hear this type of eulogy.

Here is an example of a body of a funny eulogy:

“He often says weird things at the most crucial moment. He would make an awkward situation more awkward. He would scream when you tell him to shut up. He has always been a big baby.

He would say the most stupid things in places that stupidity is not needed. He would dance suddenly in the middle of the road because he can do so. He would taste the rain just to test if it is salty and if rains really are from the sea (or ocean as he normally prefers).

He would post embarrassing photos of him and his friends (yet he is not embarrassed). He would tag your ex in your every emotional post just with tell you to stop because that person doesn’t deserve you.

He would call in the middle of the night because why not? He can’t sleep and wants to talk to somebody. He would suddenly drop by your house and make himself feel at home (and the owners would feel stranger at their own home). He would kiss his dog in the mouth and make you think it’s the most normal thing to do.

He would drop knock-knock jokes, with him saying everything including the ‘who’s there?’. I swear I could feel him thinking about a joke right now that any minute he’ll be knocking at his coffin. I swear, as much as I miss him, that is spooky. Will be leaving you ladies and gentlemen in your own thoughts. That will be all. Thank you.”

4. The Biographic Eulogy

The biographic eulogy is basically a biography of the deceased person. This covers the place of birth, date of birth, parents, families, children, grandchildren, early childhood, etc. This is a detailed eulogy of the person’s life. You may also include past relationships, divorces or any other significant other. The person’s activities and likes.

Here is an example of a body of a biographic eulogy:

“He was born in the beautiful place in Poland, way back September 1, 1939. In the midst of the World War II, his parents had conceived a beautiful, healthy baby boy. He had survived the war. He had lived 90 eventful years. He’s been to places since birth, literally since birth.

Due to the World War II, his family has to transfer from places to places to live a quiet and peaceful life. During his childhood days, it was rare for him and his sibling to play along with the roads or even outside the house since this was the time Germany was trying to evade Poland.

School was even difficult, there were bombs and militaries everywhere. By God’s grace, they were able to survive the tragic event of the World War II. Their family was able to migrate and lived a normal life. He was able to finish school and even went to college.

He was married to the woman of his dream—“his life” he calls her—the ever beautiful Ana. Together, they had 3 children who gave them 8 beautiful and playful grandchildren. He was a good husband, an even better father, a good provider and a playful grandfather. His wife’s number one fan, his children’s number one supporter and his grandchildren’s favorite.

Thank you, thank you for everything. This was sudden, but you gave your best shot. Rest in peace. You can now reunite with your parents. You will always be in our hearts”

Funerals will always give you the feeling of melancholy but through your heartfelt eulogy, somehow, you will be able to unload some heavy feelings. Although it cannot be denied that writing and delivering eulogies might stir and open some closed wounds, it is also one way of healing yourself from the pain the death had caused. Eulogies could be one way of letting the person we loved to be remembered. It can also be one way of sharing and showing the love we received from the one who passed away to the other people whom he or she surely did love, too. Every now and then you might want to cry but remember that you can also laugh a little or even smile because your loved one who passed away might also feel hurt seeing you in so much pain.

Just keep in mind that there are no strict rules to follow when it comes to writing eulogies. Sometimes, a heartfelt goodbye and the recounting of important and remarkable memories would suffice.

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