Key Points In Delivering A Eulogy Speech

Key Points In Delivering A Eulogy Speech

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You may have the honor of being asked to deliver the eulogy speech at a funeral. Realize that this is indeed a privilege, as only someone with a special and lasting relationship to the departed is ever asked to perform this duty. Although at first you may feel overwhelmed with the responsibility, be assured that with proper preparation and the right attitude, this can be something that will not only help others to deal with their grief, but will help you to do the same.

Preparation is the key to it all. You will need to spend time with the family and friends of the deceased to find out information you can use in your speech, as well as to uncover the feelings these people have about their friend or relation. Properly approached, the eulogy can help the family of the deceased and lead them through a celebration of life and give them a chance to cherish their fondest memories.

The first thing you need to do is to gather as much personal information as you can about the departed. You will begin your sample eulogy speech by writing down the personal biographical information of the deceased, which is their full name, age, the places they lived and the cause of death. Next, information about their family and friends should be gathered, the details of their spouse or partner, children, grandchildren, siblings and parents. The employment and education of the departed is also important, so find out their places of employment, their career accomplishments, the high school and university they attended, and if they had any military training.

What were their personal affiliations? Did this involve any religious or civic organizations, and did they achieve any accomplishments within these organizations or win any awards? What personal values did they demonstrate and hold dear?

When you visit the family and friends of the departed, ask them for old photos or other important mementos. Collect stories from them, stories from the deceased's family life, childhood and other special times. Your eulogy can be serious or it can be humorous and heart-warming; in fact a blend of the two would probably be the best. So ask about those funny moments and the quirky aspects of your friend's character.

Think about your own relationship with the departed. Where did you meet, if you are not family, what did you spend time doing together and what are you going to miss most about them?

With all this information, you are now ready to write. Prepare the eulogy speech on your computer, on a series of cards or on plain paper. This is no time to be stiff and formal, simply write in your own voice, from the heart. Once it is written, leave it overnight and go back to it fresh in the morning. You are now ready to revise and review. Practice it in front of friends or family and ask for their suggestions for any improvement.

Practice it enough times so that when it comes time to deliver it, you do not need to read it word for word, but can simply occasionally refer to your notes. Have a copy in large print with numbered pages to make it easy for you to find your place if and when you need to.

When it comers to the day of the funeral, make sure you have a glass of water handy, a box of tissues and a back up person if you need him. Close you eyes for a few seconds before you begin and visualize the deceased person. Take a few deep breaths and begin. Remember to speak slowly and breathe. When you are nervous, it is very easy to forget to breathe, and this makes it hard to speak.

It's alright to show emotion. Just pause for a moment, take a breath and compose yourself. If you are unable to continue, hand the copy of your eulogy to your back up person and let him take over.

Most likely you will do fine, and when your eulogy speech is done, you can rest in the knowledge that you truly honored the deceased and were able to do something for them which helped you, and their friends, celebrate a life well lived.

About the Author:
For A Complete Guide To Tobin Brothers Funerals Visit: http://www.melbournefuneralservices.com.au



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