How to Write and Deliver a Eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honours a person's life at their funeral or memorial. It does not need to capture everything. It needs only to help those present feel, for a few minutes, the presence of the one they have lost.

Gather memories

Begin by collecting stories from family and friends. Ask what the person was known for, what made others laugh, and the small habits people remember. The best eulogies are built from specific, ordinary details rather than grand statements.

Structure it simply

A simple shape works well: who the person was, one or two stories that show their character, what they meant to those around them, and a closing line of farewell. Aim for three to five minutes, which is roughly five hundred to seven hundred words.

Delivering it

Print your eulogy in a large, clear font. Speak slowly, and pause when you need to. It is perfectly natural to become emotional. If you fear you may not manage, ask a friend or relative to stand beside you, ready to continue if needed.

A short example opening

"My father was not a man of many words. But if you ever needed help moving house, fixing a fan, or finding your way home after dark, he was already at the door with his toolbox and his old blue slippers. That was how he said the things he could not say."

Write in your own voice, and let the person you are remembering come through.