Charleston, WV Funeral Tips: Giving a Eulogy for a Friend or Family Member

It can be a heavy responsibility to plan a eulogy for someone that you love. Not only will you work through the grief of attending the funeral, but you also need to be prepared with a few words to honor that person. It is important that you write down a few thoughts before arriving at the funeral home. Then, you will have the information that you need to offer a great eulogy.

At Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home and Crematorium, we offer comprehensive services in Charleston, WV, and the nearby cities. Our team is happy to provide the support that you need for every aspect of the funeral planning process.

Here are a few tips if you are planning a eulogy:

Formal Eulogy at a Funeral or Memorial

It is common for memorials or funerals to include one or two speakers who are asked to participate in the event. Often, the speaker is a family member or someone who was close to the deceased.

You can write out the prepared speech before the event. But, don’t make the mistake of reading the information without speaking from the heart. It can be intimidating to stand in front of a group of people. So, the notes that you bring will help you stay focused on the message that you are trying to deliver.

For example, you might have a few parts of the eulogy that are spoken from your heart, and a few other parts that you read on the paper. Talk about the experiences that you shared with the deceased. Identify information or stories that showcase the positive impact that the person had in the world. Share examples of how he/she improved your life.

Ideas for Eulogy Content

After you have the formal parts of the eulogy out of the way, then share other things that might help attendees remember the person who was lost:

• Funny stories
• Childhood memories
• Times when the person made you cry or laugh
• Poignant moments that were shared together

You might consider focusing on one or two specific qualities that the deceased offered to the world. Highlight personality traits or anything else that showed a formative moment that was shared together. It is best to stick with first-hand experiences, instead of trying to relay second-hand stories.

Best Length for the Eulogy

How long should you speak? Quality is better than quantity. Keep it short and sweet, but ensure that you are sharing interesting, valuable information in the time that you stand before the group. If you try to talk longer, then it increases the likelihood that you will ramble, making people feel uncomfortable, bored, or awkward.

In most situations, it is best to deliver a eulogy that is no more than 5 to 10 minutes. But, talk to the funeral planner to see if they have specific requests.

For more information about planning a funeral, talk to our team here at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home & Crematorium. We have a funeral home located at 1118 Virginia St E Charleston, WV 25301. Or, call if you would like to schedule an appointment: (304) 342-8135.

For details, you can check Charleston, WV funeral home.