Eulogies
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing. The word derives from the Greek (gotta love those Greeks) word “eulogia”, meaning “good” and “words”. Although a eulogy can be used for a living person, it normally refers to a funeral oration, given in tribute to a person who has recently died.
A eulogy can be contrasted with an “elegy”, which is a poem written in tribute to the dead. A eulogy can also be contrasted with an “obituary”, which is a written biography recounting the life of the deceased. However, a eulogy can often cross the line into an elegy or obituary.
As usual, the web has a myriad of resources to help those called upon to prepare a eulogy.
Speech-writers.com offers “a pack of relevant, proven and 100% risk free speeches and or poems for your eulogy”, as well as a 100% immediate refund if you are not satisfied! (It is not clear whether the guarantee extends to the satisfaction of the deceased or other funeral-goers.)
Eulogyspeech.net offers eulogy writing guides, samples, poems, quotes and famous last words, amongst other resources.
Suite101.com has a short by helpful guide to composing and delivering a funeral tribute.
And then there is Eulogy, a 2004 movie starring Hank Azaria, Jesse Bradford, Debra Winger, Ray Romano, Kelly Preston and Rip Torn. Described as a ”black comedy that follows three generations of a family, who come together for the funeral of the patriarch - unveiling a litany of family secrets and covert relationships”, the movie received 6.6 stars out of 10 on IMDB.com.
Thank you for reading.
Paul Trudelle
