Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author and have written over 100 eulogies for people all around the world. Let’s dive into eulogy templates.

Life has a way of catching us off guard, especially when it comes to saying goodbye to our loved ones. The task of writing a eulogy can seem insurmountable. But as we piece together memories and stories, we realize how powerful these final words can be. This guide to eulogy templates will help you create a touching tribute that honors your loved one’s legacy.

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Key Takeaways

• Eulogy templates provide a helpful structure for organizing your thoughts and memories
• Personalization is key – incorporate specific anecdotes and characteristics of your loved one
• Choose a template style that fits the personality of the deceased and your relationship with them
• Don’t be afraid to include humor or light-hearted memories where appropriate
• Practice delivering your eulogy to ensure comfort and emotional control
• Speaking from the heart is what matters most

Understanding Eulogy Templates: Your Roadmap to Remembrance

Eulogy templates aren’t rigid structures – they’re gentle guides, helping us navigate grief and remembrance. They prompt us with questions like, “What made them laugh?” or “What was their proudest achievement?” It’s not about fitting a life into a box, but ensuring you don’t miss those precious details that made your loved one unique.

These templates serve as flexible guides rather than strict formats. They help organize thoughts and ensure important aspects of the person’s life are covered.

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The Anatomy of a Eulogy: Building Blocks of Remembrance

Creating a eulogy is like assembling a beautiful mosaic – each piece matters, but it’s how they come together that creates the full picture. Key elements include:

1. The Opening: Sets the tone and gives context.

2. Life Story: A highlight reel of pivotal moments.

3. Personal Memories: Anecdotes that capture their essence.

4. Impact on Others: How they touched the world around them.

5. Closing Thoughts: A message of hope or a final farewell.

These elements can be mixed and matched. The goal is to create a tribute that feels true to the person you’re honoring.

Types of Eulogy Templates: Finding Your Perfect Fit

There are many ways to honor a life. Popular eulogy templates include:

1. The Chronological Journey: Takes us on a voyage through time, from childhood to final days.

2. The Thematic Approach: Organizes memories around key themes or qualities.

3. The Anecdotal Style: A patchwork of stories and memories, each revealing a different facet of the person’s character.

4. The Legacy Focus: Emphasizes the lasting impact of the person’s life.

5. The Letter Format: Written as if speaking directly to your loved one.

The Chronological Journey Template

The Chronological Journey template is like flipping through a photo album of someone’s life. It starts at the beginning and takes us through key moments that shaped them:

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1. Introduction: “Today, we’re here to celebrate the remarkable journey of [Name], a journey that began [birth year] in [birthplace].”

2. Childhood: Share a defining moment or characteristic from their early years.

3. Young Adulthood: Discuss their education, early career, or when they met their partner.

4. Middle Years: Focus on career achievements, family life, or significant personal growth.

5. Later Years: Talk about retirement, grandchildren, or how they spent their time.

6. Legacy: Conclude with how their life journey impacted others and the world around them.

This template works beautifully for those whose lives followed a clear trajectory or who experienced significant growth and change over time.

The Thematic Approach Template

The Thematic Approach template is like painting a portrait of someone’s character, using different themes as your brushstrokes. Instead of following a timeline, you organize the eulogy around key qualities or passions that defined the person:

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1. Introduction: “Today, we remember [Name], whose life was a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of [Theme 1], [Theme 2], and [Theme 3].”

2. Theme 1 (e.g., Love): Discuss how they showed love to family and friends.

3. Theme 2 (e.g., Creativity): Talk about their artistic pursuits or innovative thinking.

4. Theme 3 (e.g., Adventure): Share stories of their travels or how they embraced new experiences.

5. Impact: Explain how these themes influenced others and shaped their legacy.

6. Conclusion: Tie the themes together, showing how they created a unique and beautiful life.

This template is perfect for someone whose life was characterized by strong passions or consistent values.

Personalizing Your Eulogy Template: Adding Your Unique Touch

A template is just a starting point – it’s your memories and emotions that will bring it to life. Here are some ways to make your eulogy truly personal:

1. Use Their Words: Incorporate favorite sayings or catchphrases.

2. Share Specific Anecdotes: Instead of saying “She was kind,” share a story that demonstrates her kindness.

3. Acknowledge Quirks: Our imperfections often make us endearing. Don’t be afraid to mention these lovingly.

4. Include Sensory Details: What did their laugh sound like? What was their signature dish?

5. Reflect Their Passions: For a music lover, weave in lyrics from their favorite songs.

The most touching tributes are those that come from the heart, quirks and all. Your loved one was unique, and your eulogy should reflect that uniqueness. 

Common Challenges in Writing Eulogies: Navigating Emotional Waters

Writing a eulogy is no easy task. Here are some common challenges you might face and how to navigate them:

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1. Emotional Overwhelm: It’s okay if you find yourself tearing up or needing to take breaks. Give yourself grace and time.

2. Writer’s Block: Start by jotting down random memories or qualities – don’t worry about order or eloquence at first.

3. Keeping It Concise: Focus on stories that capture the essence of your loved one. Quality over quantity.

4. Striking the Right Tone: Consider what your loved one would have wanted.

5. Public Speaking Anxiety: Practice reading it aloud beforehand, and don’t be afraid to show emotion.

6. Family Disagreements: Try to find common ground and remember that the goal is to honor your loved one.

The most important thing is that it comes from your heart. Your love and memories are what will resonate with others, not perfectly polished prose.

Eulogy Writing Tips: Crafting Words That Honor and Heal

Here are some tips to help you craft a eulogy that truly honors your loved one:

1. Start with Brainstorming: Take some time to jot down memories, qualities, and stories.

2. Find a Central Theme: What was the essence of your loved one?

3. Use Concrete Examples: Share specific instances that demonstrate their character.

4. Incorporate Humor (When Appropriate): Don’t be afraid to include funny stories or quirks.

5. Be Honest, But Tactful: Focus on the positive aspects of your loved one’s life and character.

6. Practice Reading Aloud: This helps you get comfortable with the words and identify any awkward phrases.

7. Keep it Concise: Aim for about 5-10 minutes.

8. End with a Message of Hope or Continuity: Focus on the legacy and lasting impact of your loved one.

The most powerful eulogies come from the heart. Don’t worry about perfection – focus on sharing your love and memories in a way that feels authentic to you and honors your loved one.

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Sample Eulogy Templates: Blueprints for Remembrance

Here are some sample templates to help you get started. Feel free to adapt them to fit your needs and your loved one’s unique life story.

1. Chronological Life Story Template

Section	Content
Introduction	[Your name and relationship to the deceased]
Early Life	[Birth, childhood, and formative years]
Young Adulthood	[Education, career beginnings, marriage]
Mid-Life	[Career achievements, family life]
Later Years	[Retirement, grandchildren, hobbies]
Legacy	[Impact on family, friends, community]
Closing Thoughts	[Final farewell and message of hope]

2. Thematic Approach Template

Section	Content
Introduction	[Your name and relationship to the deceased]
Theme 1: Love	[How they showed love to family and friends]
Theme 2: Passion	[Their life’s work or major interests]
Theme 3: Resilience	[Overcoming challenges in life]
Impact	[How these qualities influenced others]
Closing Remarks	[Final thoughts and farewell]

3. Anecdotal Style Template

Section	Content
Introduction	[Your name and relationship to the deceased]
Childhood Anecdote	[Funny or touching story from their youth]
Professional Story	[An incident that showcases their work ethic]
Family Memory	[A cherished family tradition or moment]
Friend’s Perspective	[A story shared by a close friend]
Personal Reflection	[What the deceased meant to you personally]
Final Anecdote	[A story that encapsulates their essence]
Closing Thoughts	[Lessons learned and final farewell]

Using Technology to Craft Your Eulogy: Modern Tools for Timeless Tributes

In this digital age, we have tools at our fingertips that can help us craft meaningful eulogies:

1. Digital Memory Banks: Platforms like Google Photos or Facebook Memories can be treasure troves of forgotten moments.

2. Voice Recording Apps: Apps like Voice Memos can be great for capturing your thoughts as they come.

3. Collaborative Tools: Tools like Google Docs allow for real-time collaboration with family members.

4. AI Writing Assistants: These can help with grammar, sentence structure, or even suggesting ways to phrase certain ideas more eloquently.

While these tools can be helpful, the most important element of any eulogy is the personal touch you bring to it. Technology should enhance, not replace, your own voice and memories.

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Delivering Your Eulogy: Speaking from the Heart

Here are some tips to help you navigate this emotional moment:

1. Practice, But Don’t Memorize: Familiarize yourself with your eulogy, but don’t feel pressured to memorize it word-for-word.

2. Speak Slowly and Clearly: Take deep breaths and pace yourself. It’s okay to pause if you need to collect yourself.

3. Make Eye Contact: Try to look up and connect with your audience. They’re there to support you.

4. It’s Okay to Show Emotion: If you need to take a moment, or if your voice cracks with emotion, that’s perfectly natural and can be very moving for those listening.

5. Have a Backup: Ask someone to be ready to step in if you find you’re unable to continue.

6. Use Visual Aids (Optional): Some people find comfort in holding a meaningful object or displaying a photo of the deceased.

7. Remember Why You’re There: You’re honoring a loved one and sharing their memory with others who cared about them. This isn’t a performance – it’s an act of love.

Everyone in the room is there because they cared about your loved one. They’re not judging your public speaking skills; they’re there to remember and honor the person you’re all missing. Speak from your heart, and your words will resonate.

Final Thoughts: Honoring Lives, Creating Legacies

Writing a eulogy is never easy. It’s a task we undertake with heavy hearts, often through tears. But it’s also an act of love, a final gift we can give to those who have meant so much to us. It’s a chance to ensure that their stories, their laughter, their quirks, and their love continue to resonate in the world.

So take a deep breath, pick up that pen (or open that laptop), and begin. You have a story to tell – a wild, precious, unique story of a life that touched yours. And in telling that story, you ensure that your loved one’s memory lives on, not just in your heart, but in the hearts of all who hear your words.

Use this resource: Our #1  Eulogy Generator  l Eulogy Examples l Eulogy Writing guide