A eulogy can help bring people together and evoke the memory of a lost loved one. However, summing up a friend or family member’s entire life and the impact they had on others can be difficult and intimidating. Below are a few tips to write a memorable speech if you’ve been called to give a eulogy at a memorial service.

How to Prepare a Eulogy for a Memorial Service

1. Be Brief

When you’re trying to summarize someone’s life, you might be overwhelmed by stories, observations, and anecdotes. Many people in your audience may be emotionally exhausted, so they may not have the patience for long speeches.

A short eulogy will often be more engaging and memorable. Try to choose one story that encapsulates the essence of the person you lost, and build your speech around what it meant to you and others.

2. Talk to Their Family Members

You may have known the departed well, but their siblings, parents, and other family members have unique perspectives. If you’re the only one delivering a eulogy, ask other family members for their insight. They may be able to provide the material you need to bring your lost loved one to life in your eulogy.

3. Prepare Notes

Public speaking is difficult for many people, especially in emotionally stressful times. If you’re trying to speak from memory, you’ll likely get flustered, lose your train of thought, or forget important points you wanted to make.

In this situation, it’s better to bring note cards or a written speech with you. Just remember to look up and make eye contact with members of the audience, which helps maintain the emotional connection.

For over 120 years, the compassionate funeral directors at Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Inc. Funeral Home has been helping guide families in Orange and Sullivan counties through the grieving process. They are dedicated to providing caring services in this difficult time, helping you plan a memorial service that honors the memory of the one you’ve lost. Visit their website for more on their facility and services, follow their Facebook for tips and updates, or call (845) 343-2142 to speak with a funeral director today.