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.

What is the Point of a Eulogy?

When one begins to prepare for writing a eulogy, it may be helpful to keep in mind the point of a eulogy. The point may vary slightly based on each person’s beliefs and preferences, but in general the point of a eulogy is to provide a glimpse into the character and life of the deceased.

There will often be more than one person delivering a eulogy. Each may have a different perspective on the deceased, but the point remains the same. Keeping the points of a eulogy in mind will help you in your writing. Below are a few bullet points to consider.

• Show the audience how the deceased lived his/her life
• Show the audience the kind of person the deceased was
• Show the audience the way the deceased like to spend his or her time
• Highlight accomplishments, both personal and professional, for which the deceased was proud
• Share, if applicable, how the deceased actions positively impacted people around him

If you keep those points in mind, it might provide inspiration as you ponder talking points for the eulogy. Just as important as it is to consider the point of a eulogy, it is also a good idea to keep in mind what the eulogy is NOT intended to do.

• Focus on the speaker’s emotions
• Highlight character flaws of the deceased
• Say anything that could be embarrassing to the deceased or his family

As you begin to craft the eulogy, keeping the above points in mind, draw on stories that will illustrate the point rather than telling it. Below is an example.

The point: Deceased was very caring and generous.

Example of telling: John was very generous. He loved to help homeless people and had a soft spot for children in need.

Example of showing: John typically used his Christmas bonus to buy items for a couple of local homeless shelters. One year, he bought toys for every single child in a shelter that housed families in crisis.

By using stories, you will paint a more effective picture of the deceased.

Keeping the point of a eulogy in mind will help you pick and choose which types of stories and anecdotes to include in the eulogy.

As is true in many areas of life, sometimes things are better left unsaid. One of the points of a eulogy is to remember what was good about the life of the deceased, and help the audience understand more about the man or woman who has died.

Preparing to Write a Eulogy

The loss of a loved one is never easy. If you have been asked to write and deliver a eulogy, you are dealing with your own sense of loss which can make it difficult to be able to prepare to write such an important item.

Because you want to be able to properly honor the decedent, it is important to take the time to prepare to write a eulogy that will be impactful, meaningful and memorable.

Set Time Aside

In order to write an appropriate eulogy, you will need to set time aside to do so. Depending on how involved you are with the rest of the funeral planning, this might be a challenge, but it is necessary. You might consider removing yourself from the flurry of activity by heading to a local library, coffee shop or other quiet spot. This will help you to focus on the task at hand without interruptions.

Draw on Memories

When preparing to write a eulogy, it is a good idea to jot down several memories that you have of the decedent. You may not use all of them in the eulogy, but it is helpful to have the list of memories handy as you are writing.

You should also make a list of accomplishments that you might choose to include as well as of the values that meant the most to the one who has passed on.

Find Appropriate Quotes

Another step in preparing to write a eulogy is to gather a list of quotes, poems and/or scripture versus to use. Browse books, Web sites and other places for meaningful scriptures and quotes. Jot down the ones that catch your eye. As with the memories, you will not use every quote, but having a list handy will help you as you are writing the eulogy.

Dealing with Emotions

Another important part of preparing to write and deliver a eulogy is understanding how emotional you may feel when it comes time to read the eulogy. While it is perfectly normal to feel emotional at such a time, it is important that you find a way to deal with those feelings so that you will be able to deliver the eulogy. There will be plenty of time to deal with your own grief. Those few moments that you are at the microphone is the time to honor the one who has passed.

Read the eulogy out loud over and over again, so that when you read it during the service, you will have a better chance of keeping your emotions in check.

Preparing to write a eulogy is not a pleasant task but, when done properly, it can bring honor to the loved one that you have lost.
photo credit: Magic Madzik

The Right Length for a Eulogy

When you begin to write a eulogy, you must keep in mind how long you want to make the eulogy. This will have an impact on how many details, anecdotes and quotes you include, so the length is something you should decide even before you start writing. Below are some things to keep in mind when deciding on the appropriate length.

Other Speakers

The first thing to consider is whether or not you will be the only speaker. If there are going to be several eulogies offered, it will be more important to keep yours brief. If, however, you are to be the main speaker or the only speaker, it may be appropriate to offer a eulogy that is a bit longer.

Venue/Formality of the Service

Once you know if you will be the only speaker, you should learn about the formality of the service. In general, a longer eulogy is appropriate if the venue and service is more formal while a casual service calls for a eulogy that is more concise.

Relationship with the Decedent

If many people are asked to speak a funeral, those people often represent different areas of the decedent’s life. For example, it may include family members, childhood friends and co-workers. Your relationship with the decedent should have some impact on the length of the eulogy. It would be appropriate for a family member to offer a longer eulogy while a co-worker would typically write a shorter eulogy.

There is not a “right” length for eulogy. You should not try to fill a set amount of time if doing so means that you have to use filler and useless anecdotes. Instead, say what you want to say as briefly as possible.

In most cases, a eulogy should not be any longer than 15 minutes. That is not a hard and fast rule, but a generality. Keep in mind that there will be other things going on at the service such as words from the minister or rabbi, music and special readings.

It is also important to keep in mind the wishes of the family when delivering a eulogy. Some may expect a longer eulogy, while others may want you to talk for just a few minutes. If you are unsure, just ask them how long they want you to talk.

A eulogy is about remembering and honoring one who has passed on. The length of the eulogy does not matter nearly as much as the quality of the content.
photo credit: dorothy.voorhees

Quotes and Scriptures for Use in a Eulogy

As you prepare to write a eulogy, you will need to gather a list of appropriate quotes and scriptures from which you can make selections to include in the eulogy. Below are just a few examples of Bible verses and quotes that are appropriate for use in a eulogy.

BIBLE VERSES

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:1-6

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For he who has died is freed from sin. 8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. 9 For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.  Romans 6:3-9

7 None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Romans 14:7-9

QUOTES

It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives.  -Samuel Johnson

To die completely, a person must not only forget but be forgotten, and he who is not forgotten is not dead. -Samuel Butler

For a man who has done his natural duty, death is as natural as sleep. -George Santayana

And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years. -Abraham Lincoln

There are hundreds of appropriate scriptures and quotes. The above are just a few to get your started in your search.
photo credit: Grace to You