Using Samples to Help You Write a Eulogy

As you prepare to write a eulogy, one tool that you might find useful are sample eulogies. While these samples are not intended for readers to use word for word, they can provide some much needed inspiration.

Where to Find Samples

There are many sources of sample eulogies, but some are better than others. When you read the sample, consider how it makes you feel. If it fails to inspire any type of emotion in you, then it is probably not the sample that you want to use for inspiration.

How to Use Samples

Once you have found some quality eulogy samples, you can then decide how to use them. Because a eulogy should be personal, it is not a good idea to copy a sample eulogy word for word. You can, however, take key points or themes and then customize them to suit your own needs.

Look at the layout of the sample. What is the first line? What is the closing? What key points are included? Based on those layout points, you can create an outline that will help you when writing a eulogy.

Another useful bit of information you will find in many sample eulogies are quotes and scriptures. You can certainly use such items when writing a eulogy.

In addition to the layout of a sample eulogy, you can also draw inspiration from the theme. Some samples will be quite poignant while others will be more lighthearted. Decide which type of eulogy you want to create and then use samples that are similar in tone. You will be able to see how the desired mood was created and then apply those techniques to the eulogy you are writing.

While, as mentioned earlier, each eulogy should be personal, if there is a line in a sample eulogy that really grabs you, it is fine to include it in your eulogy. This, however, should be kept to a minimum.

It is best to gather several samples that you find appealing and then try to learn how the writer created the mood or tone that you want to replicate. By doing so, you will be able to create a eulogy that is 100% original while using some of the skills and techniques used by the write who created the samples.

Perusing several samples is an important part of preparing when writing a eulogy. You will gain inspiration and that will help you to write a meaningful and appropriate eulogy.
photo credit: simon_cocks