“I’m writing a eulogy for my dad.” Those words are always uttered with sadness. It is an emotionally challenging time after the death of your father. You instantly miss him and once the decision has been made as to who will deliver the eulogy for him, and it’s you, there’s a lot on your shoulders. Trying to find the right words to capture the essence of someone so pivotal in your life is never easy. Preparing and delivering it while being compassionate and collected is even more difficult.
It’s always good to start with an outline when preparing a eulogy for a father. He wants to include the right balance of his role as a father, as well as all the other hats worn throughout his life. Although he was your father, he was also a brother, husband, coworker, and friend.
Talk to other people close to him. Gather his thoughts and stories. It is advisable to bring a notepad so that you can jot down suggestions to help you prepare your speech at a later date. Pay close attention to how people talk about him, his tone of voice, and how fond he is. You’ll want to mention that in your eulogy, as it’s not just about the tangible stories, but also deeply about how you touched other people’s lives.
One quality of a memorable and moving eulogy is to always focus on the individual’s personality and defining characteristics. Perhaps your father was known for a certain saying or was passionate about a particular hobby. Include feelings about it in your eulogy for your father. It’s a nice touch to include some of the short stories others have shared with you. It makes everyone in the room feel like they are an important part of the remembering and grieving processes. Do not shy away from comic memories. It’s okay to smile and laugh when you think of him.
Don’t be afraid to be a little unconventional when you deliver your speech honoring your late father. Playing his favorite song or showing a short movie clip he’s in are completely acceptable ways to show the man he was.
Beyond anything else, celebrate his life more than you mourn his death. The eulogy he delivers will serve as a lasting reminder to all in attendance of how remarkable and beloved his father was and how fortunate they were all to know and love him.