How To Write A Eulogy
Writing a eulogy can be difficult, but it doesn’t need to be. Here are a few steps you can take to develop a simple yet elegant eulogy for your loved one.
The best starting point, especially if you have writers block, is to just start writing. If you are having difficulty figuring out what you should write, or how to write it, the quickest way to get something practical down is to get something down on paper, even if you don't like it at first. Remember, you can always go back and edit everything before you submit it.
Start by introducing your loved one, using their full name, as well as when and where they were born.
Jane Doe was born in 1922 to Jack and Emily Doe in Sacramento, California.
Share a brief history of your loved one. Start with when and where they were born, and give some brief details up through their childhood to their adult life. No extensive detail is needed; highlight the big moments such as their career, family, marriage, etc.
Growing up, she always dreamed of becoming a writer. While attending college she met Paul Blissett, and the two fell in love. Soon after, Jane became a correspondent and journalist for The Sacramento Bee. Jane and Paul lived in Land Park, Sacramento, and had three children. Myself, Stephen, and Ashley.
Next, share some event, characteristic, or passion of your loved one that is particularly important to you. This will help give a general theme that ties the history together.
Jane was a loving and devoted mother, wife, and friend. Throughout her life, Jane was known for her kindness and wisdom. Her great love of reading meant she was never without words of wisdom for her children, her family, or her friends. She was always willing to serve and to help those who needed it. She was especially known for her laugh, which was as loud as it was contagious.
Finally, tie it all together by mentioning when they passed, and the legacy they left behind.
At 8pm on January 8th, 2019, Jane passed away. She is survived by her loving children, grandchildren, and husband. Throughout her life she left a shining example of love for anyone she was near. She was light-hearted, wise, and kind. She will be forever missed.
Any of these sections can be expanded to include more detail than is included here. Remember, this is your opportunity to tell the story of your loved one. It should be in your words and in their memory. Don’t hesitate to write from the heart, even if your finished piece isn’t just like ours. As an example, here is a longer and more expanded eulogy that you can also draw inspiration from:
Miriam Ruth Ditzel Darnall Kramer, was born in Tacoma Park Maryland on April 13, 1928. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom, and her father worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.Miriam was homeschooled by her mother through the fourth grade. Then she attended Edgewood Academy grade school. When she graduated from elementary school, she attended Forest Lake Academy from 1942-1944. She graduated early at 16 years of age and then attended Southern Missionary College from 1944-1948, where she obtained a BA degree in Home Economics, minor in Theology. She graduated being the only girl in her class (she always said she didn't mind the extra attention she received from the men in her class).
Prior to her graduation she became engaged to Jack Darnall. They married in 1948 and went to live with her folks in Cleveland Georgia, in the upstairs apartment over their garage. Jack was teaching school at that time. In 1955 they moved to College Place, Washington to attend Walla Walla College, where Jack obtained his Masters Degree in Education, as well as his Theology degree. During that time they adopted Sherilyn, their first child at 10 weeks old.
Jack and Miriam were first called to the ministry in Lexington Kentucky, and then in Dyersburg Tennessee. They adopted another child, Dennis in 1961, and then gave birth to a little girl they named Shonna in 1963. The family then moved to Paducah Kentucky, where Jack was the Pathfinder leader as well as the pastor. Following this term he became the pastor, as well as the principal at the grade school at Highland Academy in Portland Tennessee.
Jack and Miriam began to teach Wilderness Survivaling in the 70's. They would teach between 25-40 people at their seminars, each of which lasted 10 days to 2 weeks. They would travel to conduct these seminars, mostly in the US and Canada. Miriam's specialty was teaching Edible Wild Plants. Their emphasis was on Last Day Events, plus how to survive in all weather conditions.
In the late 70's they bought 130 acres north of North Fork California. Then in 1980 they moved to nearby Oakhurst to live with their daughter Sherilyn, where they helped her raise her two children, Jon and Sherena, while she attended school. In the late 80's Jack was diagnosed with cancer, and he and Miriam moved to Loma Linda for his treatments; he died soon thereafter. After Jack died, Miriam bought property "up on the hill" just outside of Kettle Falls, hoping that she could someday move there and "get out of the city". From 1989-1993 Miriam worked as a secretary at University Relations. She worked with the Spanish Abroad Program from 1993-2006, where she traveled to Spain and Argentina. From 1991-2006 she also taught Edible Wild Plant classes. She authored the Wild Plants to Eat Workbook as well as the Dining on the Wild instructional DVD set. She wrote eight different correspondence courses on Herbal Health and Edible Wild plants.
In 1993 she married Len Kramer, whom she met while working at the Trading Post. After their retirement in 2004, they lived in Kettle Falls Washington during the spring and summer months and would snowbird in Magalia California during the winter months. When her daughter Sherilyn discovered that her mom had cancer, she moved from Magalia to Washington to assist in her care. The winter of 2008, the family stayed up on the hill. The weather was severe, featuring the worst winter in 40 years. They rented a place in Kettle Falls the following year.
During the next two years Miriam's cancer worsened. She had Hospice nurses and aides coming to see her weekly. Len her spouse, and her daughter Sherilyn assisted with her daily care. On September 20th, 2011 in the evening she became unresponsive. She was taken to Mount Carmel Hospital, where it was found that she was dehydrated as well as septic. She was given hydration and 3 different kinds of antibiotics. After rallying briefly to say goodbye to her gathered family, she passed away on Sabbath Sept. 24, 2011 @7:45 a.m. Her favorite saying was "my life is in the Lord's hands." Also, when asked how she was, she'd often say "oh...going along, singing a song." This is pure Miriam, and only two of her vast array of sayings. She loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally, and those who knew her well will tell you that she always thought of others before herself.
The best starting point, especially if you have writers block, is to just start writing. If you are having difficulty figuring out what you should write, or how to write it, the quickest way to get something practical down is to get something down on paper, even if you don't like it at first. Remember, you can always go back and edit everything before you submit it.
Start by introducing your loved one, using their full name, as well as when and where they were born.
Jane Doe was born in 1922 to Jack and Emily Doe in Sacramento, California.
Share a brief history of your loved one. Start with when and where they were born, and give some brief details up through their childhood to their adult life. No extensive detail is needed; highlight the big moments such as their career, family, marriage, etc.
Growing up, she always dreamed of becoming a writer. While attending college she met Paul Blissett, and the two fell in love. Soon after, Jane became a correspondent and journalist for The Sacramento Bee. Jane and Paul lived in Land Park, Sacramento, and had three children. Myself, Stephen, and Ashley.
Next, share some event, characteristic, or passion of your loved one that is particularly important to you. This will help give a general theme that ties the history together.
Jane was a loving and devoted mother, wife, and friend. Throughout her life, Jane was known for her kindness and wisdom. Her great love of reading meant she was never without words of wisdom for her children, her family, or her friends. She was always willing to serve and to help those who needed it. She was especially known for her laugh, which was as loud as it was contagious.
Finally, tie it all together by mentioning when they passed, and the legacy they left behind.
At 8pm on January 8th, 2019, Jane passed away. She is survived by her loving children, grandchildren, and husband. Throughout her life she left a shining example of love for anyone she was near. She was light-hearted, wise, and kind. She will be forever missed.
Any of these sections can be expanded to include more detail than is included here. Remember, this is your opportunity to tell the story of your loved one. It should be in your words and in their memory. Don’t hesitate to write from the heart, even if your finished piece isn’t just like ours. As an example, here is a longer and more expanded eulogy that you can also draw inspiration from:
Miriam Ruth Ditzel Darnall Kramer, was born in Tacoma Park Maryland on April 13, 1928. Her mother was a stay-at-home mom, and her father worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.Miriam was homeschooled by her mother through the fourth grade. Then she attended Edgewood Academy grade school. When she graduated from elementary school, she attended Forest Lake Academy from 1942-1944. She graduated early at 16 years of age and then attended Southern Missionary College from 1944-1948, where she obtained a BA degree in Home Economics, minor in Theology. She graduated being the only girl in her class (she always said she didn't mind the extra attention she received from the men in her class).
Prior to her graduation she became engaged to Jack Darnall. They married in 1948 and went to live with her folks in Cleveland Georgia, in the upstairs apartment over their garage. Jack was teaching school at that time. In 1955 they moved to College Place, Washington to attend Walla Walla College, where Jack obtained his Masters Degree in Education, as well as his Theology degree. During that time they adopted Sherilyn, their first child at 10 weeks old.
Jack and Miriam were first called to the ministry in Lexington Kentucky, and then in Dyersburg Tennessee. They adopted another child, Dennis in 1961, and then gave birth to a little girl they named Shonna in 1963. The family then moved to Paducah Kentucky, where Jack was the Pathfinder leader as well as the pastor. Following this term he became the pastor, as well as the principal at the grade school at Highland Academy in Portland Tennessee.
Jack and Miriam began to teach Wilderness Survivaling in the 70's. They would teach between 25-40 people at their seminars, each of which lasted 10 days to 2 weeks. They would travel to conduct these seminars, mostly in the US and Canada. Miriam's specialty was teaching Edible Wild Plants. Their emphasis was on Last Day Events, plus how to survive in all weather conditions.
In the late 70's they bought 130 acres north of North Fork California. Then in 1980 they moved to nearby Oakhurst to live with their daughter Sherilyn, where they helped her raise her two children, Jon and Sherena, while she attended school. In the late 80's Jack was diagnosed with cancer, and he and Miriam moved to Loma Linda for his treatments; he died soon thereafter. After Jack died, Miriam bought property "up on the hill" just outside of Kettle Falls, hoping that she could someday move there and "get out of the city". From 1989-1993 Miriam worked as a secretary at University Relations. She worked with the Spanish Abroad Program from 1993-2006, where she traveled to Spain and Argentina. From 1991-2006 she also taught Edible Wild Plant classes. She authored the Wild Plants to Eat Workbook as well as the Dining on the Wild instructional DVD set. She wrote eight different correspondence courses on Herbal Health and Edible Wild plants.
In 1993 she married Len Kramer, whom she met while working at the Trading Post. After their retirement in 2004, they lived in Kettle Falls Washington during the spring and summer months and would snowbird in Magalia California during the winter months. When her daughter Sherilyn discovered that her mom had cancer, she moved from Magalia to Washington to assist in her care. The winter of 2008, the family stayed up on the hill. The weather was severe, featuring the worst winter in 40 years. They rented a place in Kettle Falls the following year.
During the next two years Miriam's cancer worsened. She had Hospice nurses and aides coming to see her weekly. Len her spouse, and her daughter Sherilyn assisted with her daily care. On September 20th, 2011 in the evening she became unresponsive. She was taken to Mount Carmel Hospital, where it was found that she was dehydrated as well as septic. She was given hydration and 3 different kinds of antibiotics. After rallying briefly to say goodbye to her gathered family, she passed away on Sabbath Sept. 24, 2011 @7:45 a.m. Her favorite saying was "my life is in the Lord's hands." Also, when asked how she was, she'd often say "oh...going along, singing a song." This is pure Miriam, and only two of her vast array of sayings. She loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally, and those who knew her well will tell you that she always thought of others before herself.
Updated on: 14/07/2021
Thank you!