1. How to Write a Eulogy

2. What is a Eulogy
Obituary: is a concise announcement of the deceased that is placed in the newspaper. It is usually biographical in form.
Elegy: is a poem or song that is intended to lament the dead. While important in their own rights, the construction of obituaries and elegies.
Eulogy: is a speech typically given during a funeral or memorial service that pays tribute to the deceased.

3. Step One: Brainstorm
Get an idea of what you want to say about the person
Consider your tone
Funny, solemn, appreciative, formal, informal
Outline what you want to say
What words would you use to describe the deceased?
What is your favorite childhood memory with this person?
What's your favorite memory as an adult with the person?
How has the deceased influenced who you are today?
What was your favorite thing about the deceased?
Is there a story involving the recently departed that has you rolling on the floor in laughter when you recall it?
Years from now, what will make you think of the deceased? Will it be a certain food or something that someone says?
If you were able to tell them one last thing, what would it be?

4. Step Two: Writing Process
Hello, I’m Laurel McFlaherty. Thank you for all coming to my husband’s funeral. The war separated him from his family, but through his death perhaps we can find common ground. James was a good man fighting for what he believed in. When I first met him, we found ourselves grabbing the same loaf of bread. He was a kind and chivalrous man. I offered to give him the loaf. He said, “No. Ladies first.” He offered to walk me home after that. He believed every woman should be treated with love and respect which he showed me from the first day we met till the day he passed. This war has divided us from loving and respecting our family. Let us all be like James and walk each other home tonight and no longer be separated by hate.
Introduction- Explain relationship to deceased and your purpose for speaking(Keep Simple)
Body- Give examples of your purpose for speaking
Conclusion- Wrap it up

5. Second Example
Good afternoon, thank you for coming to celebrate my cousin, James. James and I didn’t see eye-to-eye on the war. He was a free stater and I am a republican. I ask today though that we put away our guns and rifles to rejoice in his life. James was the life of the party. He always brought the soda bread and enough beer to share. When we were younger, James used to ask little girls to dance with him on the playground. He wanted to be the life of the party whether there was a real party or not. James is probably in heaven right now asking the unmarried women and widows if they’d like a dance and a drink. Let us raise our glasses to my cousin, your friend, James! May your spirit live on in the hearts of everyone you met!

6. Step 3: Editing, Memorizing, Delivering
Editing: Reread your work.
Do you have enough information? Do you need to take some of it out? Is it easy to follow?
Ask for feedback from a trusted friend or family member
Memorizing: Read, Write, Recite
Write down bullet points of your speech on to notecards
Practice, Practice, Practice
Delivering: Eye Contact, Volume, Speak Clearly (Enunciate, Slowly)

7. Homework
Pretend you are a family member of the two brothers in our story. Prepare a eulogy you would deliver at the dead brother’s funeral.
Typically, a eulogy can last anywhere from 3-10 minutes; I’d like yours to simply be seconds.  
This will require you to write approximately 6-10 good, thoughtful, and meaningful sentences. Be creative.
As you may have noticed, the author never provides the reader with the names of the snipers, only the sides in which they fight for. Consider this as you write your eulogy. This is a creative writing piece in which you want to capture the tone of a eulogy or that of a funeral.