How to Write an Eulogy
About 3
weeks ago I completed my best work to date. I did my late Grand Mother’s
funeral. It was a pivotal point in my life and I enjoyed every single bit of
it. When I was asked to do it, I did not know where to start. I scrabbled for a
few hours because now at this point this was all that I could think about. I
pulled out my note book and began to write things down that I could remember
about her. I thought to myself this is an amazing opportunity to make sure that
she was remembered by all the great things that she has done and to make her
live forever.
Step 1- MAKE A GOAL AND BE
CLEAR ON WHAT THE PURPOSE OF WHAT YOU WANT YOUR OUTCOME TO BE.
Then I
started to ask questions. I began to ask question after question about my
grandma’s life. I asked her children questions, my granddad, and her closest
friends to share stories about her to me. As I asked questions I wrote down
EVERYTHING I was told just randomly in my notebook. Then I went thru her photo
albums and looked at all of her things that she kept. I became a reporter/
investigator. I wanted to learn about her and I enjoyed EVERY bite of it.
STEP 2- Gather as much details about your love one that is
possible.
After I
gathered all of the details that I needed and when I mean ALL I mean ALL
details. I took about 3 days gathering more and more details. I even added
things to it towards the end but for the most part it was just 3 days. So I
began to number all of my thoughts in order of how I would like to talk about
her. I looked for a flow between the notes I had taken. And soon found it
simpler to bring her story together
STEP 3- Put together your notes by numbering the stories and
information that you have gathered.
Then I reviewed
my number notes and had to decide how I wanted to deliver the message. Did I
want it to be humorous, exciting, serious, conservative, or what? This was a
little bit of a struggle because she was all of the above. It was for her and
about her so I decide to be and delivery has best as I thought she would like
it. So I chose to be exciting with a hint of humor.
Step 4- Decide on the delivery. Be mindful that some situations
may not be appropriate than others. Although I believe we should be able to
laugh at anything use wisdom with what you choose. If you were asked or
volunteer to do this you know what would be best.
As I
began to write and bring all the pieces to the puzzle together I found many
common factors about her life that different people shared about her. I found
that she was an EXTREMELY consistent women valued her relationships and from
there I created a theme behind that. I highlighted every single consistent
thing that she did and every relationship she valued. Along with many other
things but you get the point.
STEP 5- Find a theme through similarities you find about your
love and stick to it.
Hopefully
you won’t need this information anytime soon but if you ever have the same
opportunity I had to do something as remarkable as to share someone’s life
story take it has an honor. It is a big responsibility and it is an amazing
thing. Now if you were extremely close to your love one like me and my grandma
you may find this to be VERY therapeutic. This was the HARDEST thing I ever had
to prepare but in the end it was worth all the tears and pain I experienced. I
feel like I did something for her that she would be proud of and I took my time
and did my BEST!
Now here
are a few extra tips I would recommend….
1.
Do NOT worry about
time! You will take as long as needed. I am not saying be 1-5 hours but get all
that you need to about your love one. I took between 12- 15 minutes,=.
2.
Remember this is
totally about your love one from your perspective. Don’t worry about ruffling
feathers or if you missed something
3.
PRACTICE! PRACTICE!
PRACTICE! I practiced more than 7-10 times in entirety. This is the painful
part but get through so you can be strong when it’s show time. I even recorded
myself in front of my friend.
In
closing here is the end of result of the eulogy of Joyce Gray.…. Take a listen…..
“In Life we Live
and we Learn and in return we Learn how to Live”
By:
6Figuremommy.. :(:
