It’s hard to describe someone in one short speech, let alone sum up their entire life. If your loved one has passed and you need to write a eulogy for the funeral service, it can be a challenging task. You want to share old memories, honor your loved one’s legacy, and help friends and family reflect in a positive way. If you’re worried about writing the eulogy, the funeral directors at Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home in Rochester, NY, have some suggestions to make the process a little easier.

Here are three tips to help you write a eulogy for a memorial or funeral service:

• Collect Old Memories: Before you sit down and start writing, call or visit with old friends and current family members of the deceased. Sharing memories, crying, and laughing is an important part of the healing process, and it can all help in writing the eulogy. Even if you won’t have time to share all of these stories, having the conversations can give you an overall picture of the way you’d like to portray your loved one at the funeral service.
• Create A Theme: Based on your conversations, it might be helpful to develop a theme for the eulogy. Perhaps you’d like to share your loved one’s favorite poems, quotes, or scriptures. Maybe you want to focus on the many ways they influenced and changed your life. Other topics include work achievements, family memories, and positive character traits. It’s all up to you, but once you know what to focus on, the task of writing won’t seem so overwhelming.
• Organize & Streamline: Now that you’ve decided what to write about, organize everything into a timeline. If you’re reading the eulogy at a funeral service, include your relationship to the deceased. Consider organizing your subject matter into smaller parts to make things easier to digest. For example, mention three short stories, three accomplishments, or three poems. Offer plenty of humorous and serious stories throughout — giving examples of a life well lived.

If you have questions about writing a eulogy or simply need extra support during this emotional time, talk to the caring and compassionate staff at Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home. With more than 40 years of experience, these funeral directors will help you work through your grief and create a memorable funeral service. Call (585) 426-7830 to set up an appointment, or visit their website for more information on the services this funeral home provides. You can also connect with the staff on Facebook.