Using Multimedia in a Eulogy

The use of multimedia in a eulogy is becoming more and more common. Having photos scrolling behind the speaker, short video clips at various points in the eulogy and music playing in the background are all examples of how using multimedia in a eulogy can make it more special, memorable and touching.

There are some things that you will need to do if you want to use multimedia in a eulogy.

Check with the Venue

While more and more churches and other facilities have upgraded sound and video systems, some do not. One of the first things you will need to do is check with the location where the service is to be held to see if they can accommodate the use of multimedia. Even if they do not have the equipment, check to see if you can bring in what you will need. Most locations will allow this, but it is always best to check.

You also want to make sure that everyone present will be able to see and hear the multimedia. For very large services in which an overflow room may be used, this could include having a screen on which the multimedia can be displayed in the overflow room.

Gather Music, Video, Photos

Once you know that you will be able to include multimedia, it is time to start gathering the photos, video and music that you might want to use. One especially touching eulogy that included multimedia was at a child’s funeral. Throughout the eulogy, the speaker would pause and video that included the child laughing or singing was played.

Gather as much as you can. You don’t have to use it all, but the more you have to choose from the better.

Tell a Story

Once you have all of the media gathered, you will need to decide how to present it. One option is to use the various pieces of media to tell a story of the person’s life. That doesn’t mean that you tell the whole life story in a eulogy, but instead you can present a slice of his or her life.

Check the Timing

As is the case with all eulogies, practice is very important. When using multimedia, it is even more important. You need to practice so that you can be sure the timing of your speaking and the multimedia aspects of the eulogy are correct. Also, it will ensure that there are no long pauses and other issues.

Incorporating multimedia in a eulogy is one more way to remember the person being eulogized in a way that will touch the hearts of all who are present.

Tips for Writing a Last-Minute Eulogy

Most people have a bit of notice when asked to give a eulogy. This allows them to be well-prepared when it comes time to deliver the eulogy. But what if you are asked at the last minute to say something? This could happen for a number of reasons. Perhaps the person who was scheduled to deliver the eulogy was not able to do so. Maybe the family decided, at the last minute, that they would like to hear from you.

Whatever the reason, writing a last-minute eulogy can be stressful, but you can still deliver a eulogy that is touching and appropriate. Here are some tips for writing last minute eulogies.

One Good Story

Think about the person who passed away. Is there one good story that stands out in your mind? It could be a funny story, the story of how you met or a time that the person was especially helpful to you. You can use this one story as a foundation to build the entire eulogy.

Tie your speech together by telling the story at the beginning and then mentioning it again in the middle and near the end of the eulogy.

Use Some Quotes

If you are having trouble writing a last-minute eulogy that you feel is long enough, add in some quotes. These could be quotes from the Bible or other religious texts or inspirational and encouraging quotes. If appropriate, you can also include a quote or two from the person that you are eulogizing. This is an especially good idea if the person was well-known for a certain catchphrase.

If you happen to know the favorite author or poet of the person who has passed, it would be a wonderful gesture to include quotes from that person in the eulogy.

Last Memory

You may also be able to draw inspiration for a last-minute eulogy by considering the last memory that you have of the person. If appropriate, tell the story of the last thing that the person said to you or, perhaps, mention that the last time you saw them they were smiling.

If the person that you are eulogizing was sick for some time, you may choose to share the last good memory that you had together.

Practice

One tip that is same no matter how much time that you have to prepare is that you must practice. Practicing the eulogy will help you make sure that it is of the appropriate length and that you are familiar enough with the content that you will not have to stare at the paper the entire time.

More importantly, because you have gone over the words a few times, it will give you the best chance of being able to get through the eulogy without getting emotional.

Even at the last-minute, you can still create a eulogy that will be a blessing to the family and friends of the one who has passed away.

Inspiring Others with a Eulogy

It is obviously a difficult emotional time whenever a loved one passes away. That does not mean, however, that you cannot find ways to inspire others through the life – and even through the death – of the person being eulogized.

If you have been asked to deliver a eulogy, consider using the opportunity to honor the deceased by offering a eulogy that will inspire all who hear it. Some people who were particularly giving are very easy to eulogize in a way that encourages others. But no matter how the person lived their life, it can be used as an inspiration for others. Here are some tips.

Life is Short

Reminding people that life is short can be very inspiring when done the right way. Work into the eulogy some wording about how no matter how long our loved ones are with us, it is never enough time. We will always long for one more day. This will remind the hearers that life is, indeed, short and to make the most of every minute.

Follow Your Dreams

If the person being eulogized was someone who accomplished a lot, be sure to take the opportunity to inspire the hearers to follow their dreams in the same way that the deceased did. While this is applicable for anyone who has found a measure of success, it is especially inspiring if the person passed away at a young age yet was still able to achieve many of his or her goals.

The Meaning of Life

No one expects you to be able to explain – or even try to explain – the meaning of life during a eulogy. What you can do, however, is inspire to people to try to find their own meaning. For example, if the person being eulogized was passionate about helping the homeless, loving his family or helping animals, you can speak about that passion in a way that will inspire the hearers to find their own purpose for being here.

Cherish Each Moment

No matter the deceased chose to live their life, you can use the eulogy as a reminder to cherish each moment and not to squander time. Remind the hearers to tell their family that they love them and to take note of the beauty that is around them while they are able to do so.

Inspiring others with a eulogy is one of the best ways to honor the deceased. Including some words of inspiration will help to keep the person’s memory alive in the hearts of those who were moved by your words.

Eulogies for Especially Tragic or Unexpected Deaths

It is always difficult to lose a loved one. Some deaths, however, are especially tragic such as a violent death, the death of a child or a very unexpected death. Delivering a eulogy in such cases can be very difficult. Sometimes, the death just seems so overwhelmingly sad and unfair, that coming up with the words to say can seem next to impossible. Here are some things to keep in mind when writing a eulogy for this type of situation.

Celebrate the Life

This advice is not only for especially difficult eulogies, but it certainly applies. It can be so difficult not to dwell on the tragedy, but doing so does not honor the person who has died. Instead, be sure to celebrate the life of the person being eulogized. He or she was so much more than the moment of death. Don’t dwell only on the moments of the tragedy. Instead, talk about the good moments the person enjoyed and shared with their loved ones.

Teaching Moment

In some cases, it may be appropriate to insert a teaching moment into the eulogy. For example, if a young person died from drug use and the service will be filled with his or her friends, it may be a good time to remind them that this did not have to happen. Of course, if you are unsure about how the family will feel about such wording, check with them first. Many will be willing to allow it because they don’t want their loved one’s death to have been in vain. If they think they can use this tragedy to save another life, they will do it.

Offer Hope

Finally, it is important to find a way to offer hope. This will not always be easy, but if you can do it, it may help those who are overwhelmed with grief at least see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Even saying something such as, “The hole left by this loss cannot be filled, but that doesn’t mean that the pain you feel today will last always. One day, you will be able to talk about (insert name) without crying. You will be able to remember the good times without those memories being tarnished by crushing pain.”

Don’t be afraid to tell happy or funny stories about the person’s life. The tragedy of the death doesn’t have to carry through in every moment of the service. As mentioned above, you are not only marking a death. You are also celebrating a life.

Delivering a Eulogy as a Team

Usually, a eulogy is delivered by one person. While there may be more than one eulogy offered, each is given by a separate speaker. Another option is to deliver a eulogy as a team. Some may wonder when this might be appropriate. A few examples are below.

• The speakers are friends of the deceased from the same period in his or her life such as college friends or childhood friends.

• The children of the deceased each wish to say something, but do not wish to deliver a formal eulogy alone.

• The family desires to hear from many speakers. Breaking the speakers into groups is one option of how to accomplish that without taking up too much time.

Whatever the reason that you choose to deliver a eulogy as a team; there are some tips that can help you to organize your thoughts and then deliver them in a cohesive way.

Meet

Delivering a eulogy as a team is going to require that you meet with the other person or people and get your thoughts together. The first step would be brainstorming about the kinds of things that you would like to include in the eulogy. Just write down all of the ideas that you can. You can edit it down later.

Once you have all of your thoughts on paper, consider how you want to present the information and share the speaking. Do you want to go back and forth or just have each person take one turn? There is no right or wrong. Just do what will work best for the group.

Once each person knows what they are going to say, have someone type it all up. Each person should have a copy of everything that will be said, not just of their own parts.

Practice

In addition to each person practicing on their own, it is very important for everyone to practice together. You will need to work on timing, which is especially important if there is a strict time limit placed on the eulogy. You also want to work on smooth transitions from person to person. The only way to do this is by practicing together.

Multimedia

One great idea for delivering a eulogy as a team is to use multimedia such as pictures, video and music. Not only can this help to make the transition between speakers seem smoother, it also adds additional layers to the eulogy making it even more touching and memorable.

Delivering a eulogy along with another person or other people is not the right choice for everyone. If you do choose to do this, follow the tips above so that you will have the best possible results.