How To Write A Funeral Speech

The passing of a loved one is never easy, and delivering a funeral speech can be an emotional and challenging task. However, it's also an opportunity to celebrate the life of the deceased and share precious memories to help provide comfort and support to those grieving. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of writing a heartfelt and memorable funeral speech. We’ll also introduce you to Eulogy Assistant, which can make the writing process even more accessible and help you create a personalised eulogy in minutes.

1. Reflect on the person’s life and gather thoughts

Take some time to sit down and reminisce about the deceased, reflecting on their life, personality, and the memories you shared. Write down notable achievements, favourite pastimes and any shared stories that come to mind. This process can help you focus on what you want to convey in your speech and keep it centred on the deceased.

2. Speak to friends and family

Talking with other friends and family members who knew the deceased can offer additional insight into their life and provide a broader perspective for your speech. They may have memories of the person that you've never heard before or help you remember important details you may have forgotten.

3. Outline the structure of your speech

A well-structured funeral speech will help guide your audience through your tribute to the deceased. Generally, a funeral speech can be divided into the following sections:

- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself, your relationship to the deceased, and thank everyone for attending.
- Early life and background: Share information about the deceased's upbringing, family, and educational background.
- Personal life: Touch on their career, hobbies, interests, and relationships. Talk about their family and any significant events in their life.
- Character and qualities: Discuss the deceased's defining traits and qualities that made them unique.
- Memorable stories and anecdotes: Share stories that showcase the deceased's character or capture memories shared with family and friends.
- Conclusion: Sum up your thoughts, express your feelings of loss, and offer a closing message of comfort.

4. Write your speech

Once you've completed your outline, it's time to start writing. Use a conversational tone, as if you were speaking to a friend, and vary sentence lengths to keep the audience engaged. Be mindful of the emotions and sensitivities of those attending the funeral, and while it's okay to show emotion, you should strike a balance between grief and celebration.

5. Edit and refine

After writing your first draft, review it and make any necessary changes. This process might involve reorganising sentences to improve flow, fine-tuning your language, or adding any details that you may have missed. Reading your speech aloud can help you catch any awkward phrasings or inconsistencies.

How To Write A Funeral Speech Example

Consider a eulogy for a man named John, who was an avid gardener, had a great sense of humour, and was known for his kindness:

- Introduction: "Good morning, my name is Sarah, and I am honoured to be here today to celebrate the life of my dear friend John, who was taken from us too soon."
- Early life and background: "John was born and raised in our small town, attending the local school and going on to study horticulture at college."
- Personal life: "John worked at our town’s garden nursery, where he met his wife, Jane, and together they raised their two wonderful children. In his free time, he loved spending hours tending to his flower beds and vegetable garden."
- Character and qualities: "John was known for his infectious sense of humour, unwavering kindness, and generosity. He always knew when to lend a helping hand or make someone laugh when they needed it most."
- Memorable stories and anecdotes: "I'll never forget the time John entered his prize-winning pumpkin in the local fair, only to discover it had been hollowed out by squirrels the night before."
- Conclusion: "John leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a beautiful garden that will continue to grow in memory of him. As we say goodbye today, let us remember him fondly and cherish our time spent with him."

Writing a funeral speech can be an emotional and challenging task, but by following these steps and reflecting on your loved one’s life, you can create a heartfelt and memorable tribute. Our Eulogy Assistant can help simplify the process, guiding you step-by-step to create a personalised eulogy in minutes. Try Eulogy Assistant today and honour your loved one with a speech that will touch the hearts of everyone present.