How to Give a Eulogy at a Funeral

Giving a eulogy at a funeral doesn’t have to be a chore. It certainly shouldn’t feel like one. This is, after all, an opportunity to remember someone dear to you and share your relationship with others. While such a speech should be from the heart and as authentic as possible, you may still wish to prepare in advance. You may even need some help. If you or someone you know is looking for funeral homes in or near Martinsville, IN, rest assured there are professionals in your area who can address any questions you may have. In the meantime, spending some time thinking about the eulogy you wish to give isn’t a bad idea. The last think you want to do is procrastinate and wait until the last minute when it comes to planning. This will likely lead to a stressful presentation, and that won’t be pleasant for you or those in attendance. Get a head start, and you will thank yourself later. 

You may begin by thinking about your relationship to the deceased in general and brainstorming various stories or thoughts on their lifetime. Before you begin writing or preparing notes, think about what the deceased meant to you and what you would want others to know. There really isn’t any need to write the perfect speech or say something particularly profound. That’s not the point. To the contrary, something simple and seemingly minor may make the greatest impact on those listening. 

As Tom Chiarella explains for Esquire, “The writing and reading of a eulogy is, above all, the simple and elegant search for small truths. They don't have to be truths that everyone agrees on, just ones they will recognize. This can be surprisingly hard, to take notice of the smallest, most unpolished details of a life and set them up for us to stare at in the wonder of recognition.” 

Even a bit of humor can be helpful, but you should be extremely careful when trying to be funny. There is nothing more awkward than a joke falling flat at a funeral. If a story or anecdote has a somewhat amusing and relatable human element to it, great. But this isn’t a standup routine. 

After coming up with some ideas and putting them in order, you may wish to practice a couple of times. You don’t have to memorize your eulogy. And it doesn’t have to be perfectly polished. Remember that this is supposed to come from the heart. There is no need to make this sound like a professional presentation you might give to the CEO. People aren’t expecting that. Nor should you overly worry about how long you speak. Instructions should be provided, and as long as you remain in the right neighborhood, everything should be fine. The big point here is to remain comfortable, be honest and respectful, and think about how your friend or loved one would want to be remembered. It is really just that simple. 

If you are looking into funeral homes in the Martinsville, IN, area, consider reaching out to Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. We look forward to helping in a time of need and working with you in a caring and professional fashion. You can visit us at 39 E High St, Mooresville, IN 46158 or place a phone call to (317) 831-2080.