Eulogy Speech Tips

Writing and delivering an effective eulogy is not a simple task. Attempting to grasp who a person was in a short speech can be daunting.

In addition, a little laughter is always helpful in lightening the mood and helping your audience to remember the deceased in a positive manner. Presenters often experience considerable public speaking anxiety (stage fright) when faced with delivering a eulogy. Refer to our Overcoming Public Specking Anxiety tips in conjunction with an appropriate herbal supplement application. In addition, here are some things to consider:

What you should do:

  • Start preparing for your eulogy as far in advance as possible. Jotting something down on a napkin immediately before you present will only make you look unprepared. This approach will likely result in considerable public speaking anxiety.
  • Prepare notes or an outline. Presumably you are not a professional public speaker; no one is expecting to see Barack Obama. Prepare notes that state your introduction, transition sentences and conclusion verbatim (but don’t read them verbatim) and outline your key topics.
  • Who are you? What was your relationship to the deceased? Don’t assume that everyone in the audience knows..
  • Identify family members of the deceased and other loved ones.
  • What would the deceased have wanted you to talk about in your eulogy? Professional achievements? Family? Friends?
  • Interview other people close to the deceased. What do they recall about the deceased? What did he or she mean to their lives? Your eulogy will touch more people if you can recall and relate others’ relationships with the deceased.
  • Make your eulogy personal: What did this person mean to you? What impact did he or she have on you?
  • Compare notes with other public speakers prior to your speech. You may experience undue public speaking anxiety if you hear your key story told immediately before delivering your eulogy. Consequently, compare notes with other public speakers to avoid overlap, promote possible common themes and create smooth transitions between speakers.
  • Provide a clearly written copy of your speech to another person just in case you cannot finish your eulogy. Some people find it difficult to finish their eulogy because they are overcome by difficult emotions.

What you can do:

  • Provide a condensed history of the life of the deceased during your eulogy.
  • Reflect on significant historical events the year of his or her birth or marriage during your eulogy.
  • Tell a funny story. Again, public speaking anxiety/fear of public speaking may really hamper you efforts. However, telling a funny and endearing story about your relationship with the deceased can be very impactful.

What you should never do (not an exhaustive list):

  • Use a pre-written eulogy from the internet.
  • Focus on yourself. Your eulogy should focus on the deceased.

Joanne Wilgren, Staff Writer ( wilgren.Joanne@bravina.com)

Comments

Eulogy Advice

Delivering a eulogy is one of the most difficult presentations anyone will give. Many people have a difficult time controlling their emotions. Don't worry you have a very empathetic audience. One tip: many speakers maintain control by referring to their loved one by their full name. Example: it's easier to talk about Kay Basset and her life accomplishments than to refer to her as "Grandma."

Posted by Joanne Wilgren - Staff Writer

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