Tips for Stress free life  >  Expert Zone   > Grief Loss

       Grief loss Tips by experts


How To Write A Eulogy


Remembering someone special in a personal way can be healing for everyone concerned, for a eulogy is a deeply personal way of saying goodbye. The key word is life, and you've been given the opportunity to celebrate a loved one's life in the individual way that made your friend unique. Don't be daunted by the task, just take these simple steps for a sincere and moving last farewell.

To prepare a eulogy, you will need to be well prepared. The eulogy should convey your feelings and your experiences and should be written in an informal, conversational tone. It's not for summarising the person's life and it doesn't have to speak for all present. Just sit down and write from your heart. So, where do you start?

1. Get your material

First, collect some biographical facts : age, working life, marriage dates, places lived, children, and so on. Ask the family, they will welcome the chance to talk about their loved one. Then collect personal facts : special skills and accomplishments, characteristics, hobbies, etc. Now think about the stories you remember, or the turn of phrase or typical behavior that captures a person's character so well.

Here are some questions to get you thinking:

  • How did you and the deceased become close? When did you meet?
  • What's a humourous or touching event that sticks in your mind. Does it represent the individuality of your friend?
  • What did you most like and admire about the deceased?
  • What will you miss most about this person?
  • What will you always remember?

Some of the simplest thoughts are deeply touching. For example, "I'll miss his crooked grin " "I'll always remember her bubbling laugh". These warm touches will bring loving memories to those who are listening. Some of the best memorial services are filled with fond remembrances and laughter. Poetry is inspirational, and also of great assistance in writing a eulogy.

2. Organise your material

Write your notes in point form on sheets of paper or on 3x5 file cards - one idea to a card. Now group the cards into piles of similar topics. Then sort each pile of cards into a logical order. Write your first draft. Use linking sentences to make each topic flow easily into the next. Pay most attention to your beginning and ending. As you write, edit and polish, keep the words "celebration" and "thanksgiving" in your mind.

3. Practice!

If you're not used to speaking in public, start practicing. Run an Internet search on 'speaking tips' or borrow a book on speaking from the library. Read your speech into a tape and then play it back. You'll be able to polish your eulogy and your delivery. Now stand in front of a mirror and practice some more. Even someone who has never spoken in public at all will do a good job with practice.

4. How do you keep calm?

It doesn't sound easy, but you can do it. If you're worried about choking up or breaking down in the middle of your eulogy, you can take a moment to compose yourself, then carry on. This is perfectly acceptable. If you're afraid you might break down while in the middle of the eulogy and find yourself unable to recover, ask someone ahead of time to be ready to take over at a signal from you. Give them a copy of your eulogy. Just knowing you have a backup speaker will probably be all you need to stay calm.

Above all, remember to breathe

You'll only have to speak for five to ten minutes, but your gift will live on in the hearts of the deceased's family and friends

Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in Croning and other celebrations for women. http://celebrant.yarralink.com


MORE RESOURCES:

See the complete list of Articles on Grief-loss here

Have a look at Best Selling Books on Grief-loss

 

Google

See also : Other articles on

Depression, Happiness, Humor, Inspirational, Motivation,
Positive Attitude
,  Meditation, Spirituality


Latest info on : Grief Loss


Teens Respond Differently to Grief, Loss
MyFox Detroit
“Death leaves a heartache no one person can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.” – headstone On Thursday, November 5, 2009, ...



Dealing with grief and loss
New Brunswick Home News Tribune
With grief comes loss and with loss comes change. We have all experienced some form of loss: the death of a friend or loved one; divorce; illness of self or ...



Suicide - Tips to Help Survivors Cope with Loss
HealthNewsDigest.com
By Harvard Mental Health Letter (HealthNewsDigest.com) - BOSTON—Although death by suicide often occurs on impulse, it has long-lasting ramifications for ...

and more »


Grief support presents program
Jamestown Sun
The Jamestown Area Grief Support Team will present a program titled “Holiday Time and Loss” at 7 pm Monday at the Otter Tail Power Community Room, ...

and more »


Dallas Morning News

Fort Hood shootings shatter security for soldiers
Dallas Morning News
"That then evolves to feelings such as sadness, grief, loss, maybe some anxiety. You'll often see some anger." In time, people may begin developing some ...

and more »


What a country, what a sacrifice
Barry's Bay This Week
They are the settings for great acts of personal courage and heroism, and for moments of grief, loss and suffering. On the morning of Nov.11, ...



Youth Project Brings a World Champion to the SCV
Magazine of Santa Clarita
The SCV Youth Project helps kids facing such serious issues as drug/alcohol abuse, anger, divorce, peer pressure, grief/loss, suicide, depression, etc. ...

and more »


Solace Remembers Those Lost to Suicide
Scoop.co.nz (press release)
This year the guest speaker is Sabrina Zoutenbier, a counsellor specialising in grief, loss and spirituality. Sabrina will reflect on how hope can inspire ...



Heaven on Earth offers healing programs
The Reporter
In private practice for 30 years, Backman is an expert in the areas of grief/loss therapy and past-life/between life regressions.



Diet-related disease risk grows
Canada.com
Schaefer said that depression, grief, loss, violence, residential school trauma, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder can lie behind a person ...


Google News

 

Why not be an expert yourself  ?

 If you can write on any of the above topic, you are welcome to submit your
 articles in our database :

 Submit your article here   Our Article Area

You are here Home > Tips for Stress free Life > Expert Zone > Grief Loss Tips


| Grief Loss Tips Home | Grief Loss Tips - Complete list 

| Main Home | | Meditation Corner

                |Health Tips  | Workplace Tips  | Soul Tips  |Expert Zone  |

Recommend us  |

 Books, DVDs and accessories on meditation & yoga  |

[About us] [Contact] [Privacy Policy]

Copyright 2006, Meditation is Easy.com, All rights reserved