It is a very big honor, and an equally huge responsibility, to be asked to give an eulogy. These words are intended to give great comfort to those who are mourning the loss of the deceased. To create the most effective funeral tribute speech, one should keep a few key tips in mind.
This special message is highly personal and is most effective when delivered by an individual who had a deep connection to the deceased. Normally, only one person gives the eulogy, though there may be some families who want to hear a few more. That is not unusual as some people have many varied, yet equally important relationships throughout their lifetime.
Eulogies are funeral staples for two primary reasons. They serve as a way for the speaker to not only say goodbye to someone they were close to, but also to convey to others how deeply the loss will be felt. These words can provide service attendees with more intimate information about the special individual to whom they are paying respects.
Funerary speeches pose a special set of challenges to the one writing them. It is important to remember that everyone is grieving and seeking comfort, so the words should be positive and uplifting. The eulogy should read as naturally as possible so that it rings personal and not as something false, generic or insincere.
When gathering information, decide whether or not the eulogy will be more of a biographical account or if it will be of a personal theme. One will focus on their life history from birth, highlighting relationships and accomplishments. The other will revolve more around favorite memories that show who the deceased was on a more intimate level.
Speeches should be powerful, yet brief, in order to maintain the intimacy and hold everyone’s attention. For better sincerity, one should work from notes instead of trying to memorize or read every word. The goal is not perfection, but rather to comfort others and deliver a genuinely heartfelt tribute to a loved one lost.