Making a meaningful tribute to the deceased is essential while delivering a eulogy. Citing a person's own words, their favorite poem or song, or a passage from a book they loved, can add a personal touch to your eulogy. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of proper citation in a eulogy and guide you step by step on how to effectively cite sources during your speech.
Are you struggling to write a meaningful eulogy during this difficult time? Our professional eulogy writing service can help you honour your loved one in less than 48 hours, with no additional stress. We help you preserve the legacy of a cherished life, in your time of grief. Find out more →
Table of Contents
Why is Citing Important in a Eulogy?
When delivering a eulogy, it is essential to give credit to sources, quotes, and sayings you include in your tribute. Proper citation is essential for several reasons:
- Maintaining credibility: Giving credit to your sources maintains your credibility as a speaker and respects the intellectual property of others.
- Respecting the deceased: Acknowledging the source for a quote, passage, or poem, shows respect for the deceased and allows the listener to make a deeper connection to the person's life and experiences.
- Allowing for follow-up: If the attendees at the service are inspired by a quote or passage you shared, citing it properly enables them to research and explore the source for themselves. They might find comfort or inspiration for their own grief journey.
How to Properly Cite Sources in a Eulogy
Depending on the type of source you are quoting, you can use the following guidelines to cite it effectively:
1. Citing a Book, Poem, or Song
When citing a book, poem, or song, it's crucial to mention the author and the title. If the passage is particularly long, you can also include the specific chapter, verse, or stanza. For example:
Need a Eulogy?
Get a Personalized Professional Eulogy Written For Your Loved One"This passage is from The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck."
"The poem Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye has always brought comfort to our family."
"As some of you know, John's favorite song was Imagine by John Lennon."
2. Citing Quotes from a Speech or Interview
When quoting someone directly from a speech or interview, mention the speaker's name, the event, and the date of the event. For example:
"During his graduation speech, Mark said, 'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'"
"In a 2010 interview, Jane shared her perspective on life with these words: 'Love deeply and laugh often.'"
3. Citing Religious Texts
When quoting from religious texts like the Bible or the Quran, provide the specific book, chapter, and verse. For example:
"One of Sara's favorite Bible passages was Psalm 23."
"Abdul often found comfort in this Quranic verse: Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 216."
How Do You Cite A Eulogy Example:
Imagine you are delivering a eulogy for your grandfather, who was an avid reader and found solace in literature. You decide to quote a passage from his favorite book:
As Grandpa often said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon). He would usually follow with a reminder that his favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, perfectly illustrated this sentiment. He often quoted Atticus Finch: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
In this example, we first gave credit to John Lennon for a famous quote before citing the author and title of the book being discussed. We then quoted the specific passage from the book that holds significance for your grandfather. This not only lends credibility to you as a speaker but creates a deeper emotional connection for the audience to your grandfather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a eulogy and when is it typically given?
A eulogy is a speech or piece of writing that praises someone who has recently passed away. It is typically given during a funeral or memorial service and aims to honor the life and legacy of the departed.
Why might someone need to cite a eulogy?
Citing a eulogy may be necessary for academic writing, legal documentation, family records, or when referencing the speech in publications or media. It ensures credit is given to the speaker and can provide context for the information shared.
How do you cite a eulogy in APA format?
In APA format, a eulogy would be cited similar to a personal communication. For example: (A. Speaker, personal communication, Date of Service). Since a eulogy is not retrievable by others, it may not be included in the reference list.
What is the format for citing a eulogy in MLA style?
In MLA style, you would cite the eulogy within the text rather than in the works cited page, as it's considered a personal communication. You would include the name of the speaker and the date of the communication. For instance: (A. Speaker, Day Month Year).
Can I include a eulogy citation in my bibliography or reference list?
Typically, personal communications such as eulogies are not included in bibliographies or reference lists since they are not retrievable sources. However, they should be properly cited within the text as outlined by the relevant citation style guides.
How would you cite a published eulogy?
A published eulogy should be cited like any other published work, following the citation format appropriate to the medium of publication (book, journal, website, etc.) and the citation style being used.
What if the eulogy is in a video or audio format?
For a video or audio eulogy, include the speaker's name, title or description of the eulogy, the publisher (if any), the date it was recorded, and the medium (either "audio" or "video" recording). Follow specific citation style guidelines for formatting.
Is it necessary to obtain permission to cite a eulogy?
While permission is not typically required to cite a eulogy, it is good practice to ask for consent out of respect for the deceased's family, especially if the eulogy is unpublished or was held at a private event.
How should you reference a eulogy given by multiple speakers?
In cases where multiple people give a eulogy, you would cite each speaker individually, noting the specific part of the eulogy they delivered, along with the date of the service.
Can I cite a eulogy that I heard secondhand?
Yes, but it should be noted as indirect or secondhand information both in the citation and in the accompanying text. Provide as much detail as possible about where you obtained the information.
What details are essential when citing a eulogy?
The essential details include the name of the speaker, the date the eulogy was given, and, if possible, the location or context of the speech. For unpublished eulogies, mention that it's a personal communication.
How do I cite a eulogy that has been transcribed?
If the eulogy has been transcribed, cite the transcript as you would any written source, including the speaker's name, title of the transcript (if applicable), publication details, and the date of transcription or publication.
What if the eulogy is anonymous or the speaker's name is unknown?
If the speaker is anonymous or unknown, cite the eulogy by describing its content and the date it was delivered, possibly referring to it as "Anonymous eulogy" followed by the date.
Can you provide an example of how to reference a eulogy in Harvard style?
In Harvard style, a personal communication such as a eulogy would be cited within the text rather than in the reference list. An example would be: (Speaker's Last name, Year).
Is there a difference in citing a religious eulogy versus a secular one?
The process of citing a religious eulogy versus a secular one is generally the same; it focuses on the speaker and date of the speech. However, the context may be included to provide additional understanding, especially if the traditions influence the content of the speech.
How do you cite a eulogy sourced from a funeral program?
To cite a eulogy sourced from a funeral program, treat the program as a printed source and provide the speaker's name, the date of service, and details of the program publication, following the appropriate style guide.
How would I reference a historical eulogy that has been recorded in a book?
A historical eulogy recorded in a book should be cited just as you would cite any other book source, including the author, title, publisher, publication year, and the pages where the eulogy appears.
Should the sentiments in a eulogy be cited if used in research?
If you're referencing sentiments or quotes from a eulogy in research, they should be cited to attribute the original speaker and to maintain the integrity of your own work.
How do you handle citations for eulogies accessed through online memorials?
Eulogies accessed through online memorials should be cited by providing the name of the speaker, title of the eulogy, name of the website, date it was posted or accessed, and the URL, adhering to the guidelines of the citation style you are using.
What are common mistakes to avoid when citing a eulogy?
Common mistakes to avoid include failing to indicate that a eulogy is a personal communication, not providing adequate information about the speaker and date of service, and including a reference to an unpublished eulogy in a bibliography or reference list against citation guidelines.
How can I ensure accuracy when quoting from a eulogy?
To ensure accuracy when quoting from a eulogy, make precise transcriptions of the spoken words, identify the specific part of the eulogy you are quoting, and provide a clear citation indicating it's a quote from a personal communication.
Using citations in your eulogy adds depth and credibility to your speech, enabling the audience to make a stronger connection to the person being remembered. As you prepare your eulogy, remember to take the time to give credit to sources and quotations properly, and focus on choosing passages and quotes that truly represent the individual. Eulogy Assistant is here to help you craft a heartfelt and well-cited eulogy for your loved one. Please feel free to share this article as a helpful resource for others and explore additional guides on our website for more tips and inspiration.