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Tips for Delivering a Eulogy

Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah • June 15, 2026

Delivering a eulogy at a funeral or memorial service is both an honor and a responsibility. Today we’re providing some tips and ideas to consider.

A proper eulogy should:

  • Honor the deceased
  • Reflect the deceased’s character and values
  • Provide comfort and meaning to those in mourning

Eulogies usually consist of:

  • A brief introduction and your relationship to the deceased
  • Two or three meaningful stories, traits, or examples
  • A closing reflection, lesson, or farewell

The length guideline of a eulogy is generally five to seven minutes. Unless instructed otherwise by the family, shorter is usually better.

A eulogy is not a reading of the obituary, nor is it intended to be a full biography. When selecting content, consider the following:

  • Warmth and gentle humor are acceptable if natural and respectful
  • Make it personal – describe what the deceased meant to you
  • Avoid negativity, controversy, or unresolved family dynamics

Losing your composure briefly is human – it is appropriate to have emotions arise.

When writing a eulogy, consider the following tips:

  • Write the eulogy in full, even if you plan to speak naturally
  • Practice aloud several times
  • Bring a physical copy printed in a large font – do not rely solely on memory

When delivering a eulogy, consider the following tips:

  • Speak slightly slower than normal
  • Pause between thoughts
  • Breathe intentionally if emotions surge – silence is acceptable and the audience will wait

Remember that the family and/or the audience is not judging your speaking ability. Instead, they are seeking recognition of the person they loved, validation of their grief, and a moment of shared remembrance.

If you have questions concerning the preparation of a eulogy, please contact us at (435) 986-2085.

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