Eulogy Composition Tips
March 22, 2010 by admin
Filed under Funeral Speech Tips
Eulogy or funeral speech writing can be a very challenging feat to accomplish. On the one hand, writing a speech of any kind can be grueling if this is not the type of task that you are accustomed to doing. Crafting a speech that is eloquent, articulate, and well organized is definitely easier said than done. And on the other hand, writing a eulogy is an especially difficult form of speech writing because the writer of the eulogy is most likely experiencing feelings of grief and sorrow over the recent loss of their friend or family member. If you are faced with the taxing task of composing a eulogy, then you are going to want to read this article as it offers useful tips pertaining eulogy composition and delivery.
When writing a eulogy it is important to take your time. If you have at least a couple of days prior to the funeral, then there is no need to make haste. Try to set aside 15 minutes or so each day for some uninterrupted contemplation and note taking. Then, take another half an hour to an hour to sit down and organize all of your thoughts and notes into paragraph form, keeping like-minded details organized together.
When doing any form of writing, it is recommended to work in stages. Before you even begin taking any notes, just let your mind wander and see where it takes you. Think about the personality traits and accomplishments that you remember most about the person who has passed away. Also, think about all of the personal memories that you shared with this person. This will be like a warm-up routine for your brain.
Once your brain is in idea-generating mode, start jotting down the most significant memories that come to mind. Once you have compiled enough notes, you should begin composing the rough draft of the eulogy. The rough draft does not have to be perfect, but you should pay close attention to the organization of your thoughts and ideas. You want your eulogy to have a natural flow to it while avoiding having your sentences haphazardly jump from one idea to another without any type of transition.
When you have completed your rough draft, it is advisable to take at least a half an hour break from your writing, so as to give yourself some distance from work. This will allow you to become more objective of you writing when you are ready to return and compose the final draft of your eulogy.
The final draft should be between 4 and 7 pages, double-spaced, and should use size 14 point font. The final draft of your eulogy does not have to be up to par with the work of a great orator like Martin Luther King Jr., but it should respectfully celebrate the life and memory of the person who has passed away. Do not be afraid to get emotional while you are composing your eulogy. In fact, it is better to let your emotions pour out because they will be the driving force behind your eulogy’s composition.

