Eulogies are common ways of saying farewell during funerals in Singapore. A proper eulogy brings to life the deceased in the minds of the audience and helps them come to terms with the situation. Through a eulogy, you can share your thoughts and experiences that honour the deceased.
A well-crafted eulogy portrays the deceased respectfully, captures the facts and is delivered in the right tone shortly and concisely. Whether if you have been tasked to write or you simply volunteered to do so, read our guide below on how you can write a heart-warming eulogy:
Write from the heart
Express what means the most to you. You can pull out old photo albums, read old texts or any other memorabilia that is significant to the deceased or your relationship with them. Make notes of your memories, feelings for that person and special moments together. The eulogy does not necessarily have to be their life story, as it can lean towards what they had meant to you.
In most funerals in Singapore, the audience consists of close friends and family, as well as acquaintances be it from work, clubs or religious associations. If done tastefully, humour can also make the tribute personal and unique to diffuse tension and trigger happy memories or inspiration and uplift the audience in remembering the deceased.
Think of the deceased
A heart-warming eulogy doesn’t just tell others about the deceased, it brings them back to life in the thoughts of the audience. Include special memories of experiences you or members of the audience had with the deceased which will portray their personality and qualities that others will dearly miss.
Funny anecdotes can also offer insight into who the deceased person is and help people to reflect on the good times.
State basic facts about the deceased
Although a eulogy shouldn’t read like an obituary, it should capture and convey the basic information about the deceased. There should be key points touching on their family, career, and the deceased’s favourite hobbies and interests.
This information gives funeral guests a short overview and can be mentioned at the beginning of the eulogy.
Organize your eulogy
Ensure the eulogy has a structure – opening, body, and conclusion. Desist from having a speech that has no structure as your audience should be able to flow with your words. Would you like it to be in chronological order? Centred on a specific theme? Or would you like to have a three-point plan?
You can also include lessons that the deceased had taught you and ways they have impacted your life. Close the eulogy with some words of comfort for everyone to dwell on and address it either to the deceased or the audience. Don’t forget to proofread your piece to ensure you have captured the essence of your loved one and strike the right tone.