8 hours Ago
When someone you know or love passes away, you may be asked to give their eulogy. It is a commemorative speech about the person's life during the funeral, but they aren't always easy to put together. What should you say? Joan Detz , author of Can You Say a Few Words? How to Prepare and Deliver a Speech for Any Special Occasion, says you must 'stress the unity' and make the moment memorable for everyone in attendance.
"A funeral will bring in all aspects of a person's life – for example, their kids, co-workers, neighbors, and the people who volunteered with them," says Detz. "They might not have a whole lot in common except their admiration, affection, and love for the person who's died. And they will probably never see each other again.
But in your eulogy, you must stress the unity and make the moment special for everyone." To do this, Detz explains it's important to tell them in the eulogy about their commonality. "Whether it's work, neighborhoods, volunteering – they have one thing in common, which is their respect, fondness, admiration, and love for the person who passed.
" What else makes a good eulogy? Detz says it should tap into a full range of emotions. "There will be happy memories, but there is also a sense of loss, so don't gloss over that," she says. "Try to keep your own emotions in check and break things up with a memorable, funny story.
" To be respectful of others who may be speaking at a funeral or memorial, the staff at Stuhr’s Funeral Home recommends that you keep the eulogy brief. Less than 5 minutes is suggested, especially if more than one person will be speaking. In the five or so minutes that you’ll be speaking, there are a few more guidelines to which you should adhere.
"Don't make it too general," she suggests. "Make sure it has proper nouns, which means it refers to people, places, and things. For example, say, 'I knew John when we grew up in Cincinnati, or Sue and I both got started in publishing in Manhattan in the 1970s.
Use specific details because that's what the audience grabs in the story." On the flip side, Detz says to avoid saying things like "'he was a professional and highly respected man in his field,' or 'she was very accomplished in healthcare;' make it vivid." Most importantly, you must remember that a funeral is a celebration of life.
"A good eulogy is very hard to write and hard to deliver," adds Detz. "But someone leaving this earth deserves a good eulogy." Stuhr Funeral Home, a trusted name in funeral service for more than 150 years, understands that everyone grieves differently.
They have the resources and experts to help you prepare for every aspect of the service. Together, they’re dedicated to providing the best and most professional care for their clients during their time of grieving and healing. For more information, stop by one of our locations in the area or call (843) 723-2524.
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