Here are some sample lines to begin a eulogy for a friend, a family member, or a spouse/partner. Example Opening Lines for a EulogyĪlthough the above tips may give you food for thought, we have also decided to provide you with a few opening lines to help you get started with the writing process. It often lists the names of the family members, the deceased’s place of employment, military service, and memberships in religious and civic organizations.Įven though your eulogy should be about your loved one’s personality, reading his or her obituary may be an excellent way to lead into that discussion. An obituary reads more like a news article. Start with a Reading of the ObituaryĪn obituary is not the same as a eulogy. Make sure the tale puts their loved one in a positive light.
Ask the family members of the deceased if they’re okay with you starting with a funny story about the deceased. But, if the deceased was known for having a particularly good sense of humor, it may be appropriate to start with his or her favorite story.įunerals are often celebrations of life. There are plenty of lists of funeral quotes for a eulogy online, but a quote is always more meaningful if it was important to the family and the deceased.Īs you begin your eulogy, this isn’t the time to tell your favorite joke. Maybe you would like to start with a passage from the Bible or Koran. Perhaps it would be appropriate to start with a quote from a song or a poem. The eulogy should not be about you and your suffering.
Even if you are hurting too, know that the immediate family would appreciate hearing these sentiments.Īvoid speaking about your own pain. If you aren’t a member of the immediate family, it is proper to begin a eulogy by offering condolences or expressions of sympathy to those in the family. Regardless, tell the audience your name and your relationship with the deceased. Maybe your looks have changed since the last time people saw you. Perhaps the attendees know that you are “one of the daughters,” but they don’t know which one. Of course, this is only done if the officiant doesn’t introduce you to the crowd.Įven if you think that everyone should know who you are, you may be mistaken. One of the most appropriate ways to start a eulogy is to introduce yourself. » MORE: Organize you're loved one's end-of-life plans in one place and get tools to help them plan and, if needed, navigate their death. If they’re in a reflective mood, they’ll be able to list their loved one’s traits and characteristics that will develop the eulogy’s theme.īefore you give the eulogy, make sure you have members of the family read through it, too. The family probably knows plenty of stories or background material to help you get started.
If you’re not an immediate relative of the person who died, talk with the family members to get their opinions on how to start the eulogy. We understand that a well-written eulogy celebrates the life of one who passed. Here are some ideas for how to start a eulogy:Īlso check out the Example Opening Lines for a Eulogy we have listed below.ĬOVID-19 tip: If you're hosting a Zoom funeral using a service like GatheringUs, make sure to test your audio before the service, so both online and in-person guests can hear you clearly. Regardless of the tone you take, just make sure you write the tribute from the heart. Some of the first lines will be poignant, and others will be funny. That's why we are here to help with some tips and examples on how to start a eulogy. (For help with all of the complicated tasks you might be facing after losing a loved one, check out our post-loss checklist.) Even if the death was expected, the process isn’t any easier. If you’re given the task to write a eulogy, that means you’ve lost someone dear to you. But nothing really prepares you to write a eulogy. Maybe you do a lot of public speaking for your job. You may feel comfortable with the writing process. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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