Types or Styles of Eulogies:
There are many different styles of eulogies, memorial speeches or tributes. The type chosen will depend on the person being remembered, the nature of the death and the occasion for the eulogy. This article summarizes some of the most common and provides representative examples from notable speeches and tributes.
There are many different styles of eulogies, memorial speeches or tributes. The type chosen will depend on the person being remembered, the nature of the death and the occasion for the eulogy. This article summarizes some of the most common and provides representative examples from notable speeches and tributes.
Some of the most common ways to organize a eulogy, memorial speech or tribute include:
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1. Chronological or Life History - Chronological or Reverse Chronological
- Religious
- Humorous
- Given for Someone Unknown
- Musical
- Toasts
2. Shared Memories
3. Tribute
4. Legacy
5. Using Main Points
6. Special Theme
1. Chronological or Life History:
Eulogies given as a life history include interesting parts and aspects of the person's life such as early work experience, military history, personal readings from the deceased person's letters, diaries, journals, articles etc. Anecdotes and stories are often included as part of the life story telling.
Eulogies given as a life history include interesting parts and aspects of the person's life such as early work experience, military history, personal readings from the deceased person's letters, diaries, journals, articles etc. Anecdotes and stories are often included as part of the life story telling.
Examples:
- Funeral Mass of the Roman Pontiff John Paul II
- The Rogito - Deed for the Pious Transfer of His Holiness John Paul II - The documents buried with the Pope documenting his life, achievements and accomplishments.
- Tribute to John F. Kennedy Junior
2. Shared Memories:
Shared memories or personal recollections about the deceased is a very moving way of organizing a eulogy. This style of eulogy is based on your the speakers personal memories of the deceased, rather than a lot of researched details about the person's life history, so may be easier to write.
Shared memories or personal recollections about the deceased is a very moving way of organizing a eulogy. This style of eulogy is based on your the speakers personal memories of the deceased, rather than a lot of researched details about the person's life history, so may be easier to write.
Examples:
3. Tribute:
The tribute theme is the common form used in newspaper obituaries. The tribute eulogy focuses the highlights, accomplishments, achievements and awards in the person's life.
The tribute theme is the common form used in newspaper obituaries. The tribute eulogy focuses the highlights, accomplishments, achievements and awards in the person's life.
Examples:
- President Bush's Memorial Speech for the Columbia Astronauts
- Tribute to John F. Kennedy Junior
- Tribute to Princess Diana by Her brother, The Earl Spencer
- President Reagan's Address to the Nation Following the Challenger Explosion
- President Ronald Reagan's Eulogy for the Challenger Astronauts
- Senator John McCain's Eulogy for Mark Bingham
4. Legacy:
The legacy theme focuses on what the person leaves behind, highlighting the person's achievements, projects, publications, successes, profession and endeavors. The legacy eulogy also looks at the personal legacy--the family and children left behind.
The legacy theme focuses on what the person leaves behind, highlighting the person's achievements, projects, publications, successes, profession and endeavors. The legacy eulogy also looks at the personal legacy--the family and children left behind.
Examples:
- My Daddy Was My Hero - Bindi Irwin - Bindi may have been one of his greatest legacies.
- President Bush's Memorial Speech for the Columbia Astronauts
- President Ronald Reagan's Eulogy for the Challenger Astronauts
- Maya Angelou's Eulogy for Coretta Scott King
- Oprah Winfrey's Eulogy for Rosa Parks
- Former President Jimmy Carter's Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek
5. Main Points:
Using main points is a common way of organizing speeches. The speech should focus on the chosen major points about the deceased. The points should be made in the beginning of the speech, in the middle and conclude by summarizing the the main points.
Using main points is a common way of organizing speeches. The speech should focus on the chosen major points about the deceased. The points should be made in the beginning of the speech, in the middle and conclude by summarizing the the main points.
Examples:
- Funeral Mass of the Roman Pontiff John Paul II
- Tribute to John F. Kennedy Junior
- John Cleese's Memorable Memorial Speech for Graham Chapman - The main point here may have been to take advantage of "this glorious opportunity to shock you all on his behalf."
6. Special Theme or Concept:
When planning the eulogy a certain theme may develop. The theme chosen will depend on the person, the nature of the death and the occasion for the eulogy. A formal religious funeral will need a different eulogy than one for a celebration of life service.
When planning the eulogy a certain theme may develop. The theme chosen will depend on the person, the nature of the death and the occasion for the eulogy. A formal religious funeral will need a different eulogy than one for a celebration of life service.
The eulogy might be organized around how the person loved a challenge or was always there for a friend, a list of the person's favorite expressions, some memorable stories, humanitarian efforts or the various roles the person played in life.
Some of the common special themes or concepts include:
- Religious
- Humorous
- Given for Someone Unknown
- Musical
- Toasts
Special Theme - Religous:
A formal religious funerals often have certain rules and traditions that are followed as part of the service. In many religious funerals a homily or a eulogy is given that also includes lengthy sermon about a particular topic.
A formal religious funerals often have certain rules and traditions that are followed as part of the service. In many religious funerals a homily or a eulogy is given that also includes lengthy sermon about a particular topic.
Example
Special Theme - Humor:
The theme that should perhaps be done with the greatest amount of care. Obviously the speaker would really need to know their audience and the person being remembered to know if humor or including humorous elements would be appropriate for a memorial speech.
The theme that should perhaps be done with the greatest amount of care. Obviously the speaker would really need to know their audience and the person being remembered to know if humor or including humorous elements would be appropriate for a memorial speech.
Examples:
- John Cleese's Memorable Memorial Speech for Graham Chapman - This humorous eulogy for Chapman has become a classic.
- Cher's Eulogy for Sonny - Despite the tears, Cher managed to also include elements of humor in her tribute to Sonny.
Special Theme - Given for Someone Unknown:
Honored speakers, clergy or funeral directors may be asked to speak at a funeral service on behalf of someone they did not know. With this type of tribute the speaker needs to ensure that he or she has done the research to get to know the deceased person, previously unknown prior to being asked to deliver the speech.
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Honored speakers, clergy or funeral directors may be asked to speak at a funeral service on behalf of someone they did not know. With this type of tribute the speaker needs to ensure that he or she has done the research to get to know the deceased person, previously unknown prior to being asked to deliver the speech.
Examples:
- President Bush's Memorial Speech for the Columbia Astronauts
- President Reagan's Address to the Nation Following the Challenger Explosion
- President Ronald Reagan's Eulogy for the Challenger Astronauts
- Senator John McCain's Eulogy for Mark Bingham
Special Theme - Musical
Music has been used to honor the dead throughout history. The Requiem Mass is a formal mass or service that honors the deceased that is sung on the day of burial and on specific days afterwards. Some of the most moving memorial tributes are musical, perhaps because they combine words with music to show their respect.Examples:
- The Requiem Mass - The Mass for the Dead
- Sir Elton John's Musical Tribute to Princess Diana
- Josh Groban's Musical Tribute to Columbia Crew - You Raise Me Up
- Patti LaBelle's Musical Tribute to the Columbia's Crew - Way Up There
- Josh Groban's Musical Tribute to Grief - To Where You Are
Special Theme - Toasts
The Toast to the Immortal Memory is a longstanding traditional toast both for Scotland's National Poet Robert Burns and Britain's Naval War Hero Lord Admiral Nelson. Toasting the Immortal Memory is actually a very appropriate, brief and inspiring way of remembering someone who has died.Examples:
- A Toast to the Immortal Memory
- A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Lord Admiral Nelson
- A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns
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© 2006 Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT. Licensed for use to About.com
