The Purpose of a Eulogy
This piece should be used as a guide to creating and editing a eulogy. It provides a overview of the purpose and origins of the word, what content should be included, how to structure and important points to remember for delivery.
Purpose of a Eulogy
A Eulogy is a formal dignified speech or piece of writing which praises a person or thing. The prefix ‘eu’ is the Greek for ‘well’ or ‘favourable’, while ‘logos’ means word/s.
A Eulogy is also known as a funeral speech or funeral oration – ‘laudatio funebris’ and was a common Roman custom. Eulogies are delivered by a friend, relative or colleague at the funeral service of the deceased and provide an insight into the character of the eulogist as well as the deceased person being honoured.
CONTENT:
To write and deliver a Eulogy is a reasonably difficult task but is not an insurmountable one. The first point and last point to remember is that the audience listening to the Eulogy must at all time be taken into account. They need to be able to feel that the content of the Eulogy is honest and that they were able to identify the qualities of the dead person as having been exhibited by them when they were alive. The audience is also often a grieving audience and this needs also to be taken into account.
The eulogist needs to outline the deceased’s good points but the lauding of their good points should not be too flowery or effusive (over the top) as no human being is perfect and the Eulogy may then seem false.
Therefore some of the deceased’s human foibles or failings should be outlined in order to maintain honesty and integrity in the case of both the deceased and the eulogist. Some eulogists believe that a touch of humour nay be added, but this should always be minimal if included at all. If it is included, it should refer to something that the deceased did in life, not for the sake of humour. Eulogies usually end with thanks for the life of the person being praised, and should leave the mourners feeling consoled. This may take the form of Christian sentiments being expressed, Christian hope in the resurrection – as would be the case in a Eulogy in the time of Shakespeare.
A Eulogy should also contain some key memories to help the mourners in their own ‘remembering and consoling processes.
The language of a Eulogy is always formal and the tone is solemn as befitting the occasion. The language is informative, praiseworthy and dignified.
Structurally, the Eulogy has:
An introduction – where the deceased is identified and other pertinent, personal information is outlined. If the deceased’s death has been a violent one, this is generally not mentioned but it is assumed that it is known. It is in the introduction that an organising device, like a triplet, is established.
The body of the Eulogy expands on the qualities of the person, good and bad.
The ending of the Eulogy finishes with thanks for the life of the deceased and Christian commendation.
Points to remember:
- Keep it simple.
- Don’t be too effusive.
- At all times be honest in your approach and content.
- The listeners must be able to recognise the qualities of the person and should be led through a memory.
- Select appropriate language.
- Structure the content clearly.
- Be logical.
- Only use a touch of ‘humour’, if it is appropriate.
- Be prepared to draft and redraft. Dignity is essential.
- To reveal some of your own character.
When delivering a Eulogy, remember:
You are speaking about someone well known to the congregation.
The solemnity of the occasion.
To use a tone suited to the occasion e.g. dignified .
To stay in your character role.
To avoid being too effusive.
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