Eulogy for a Stranger - Eulogizing Someone You Do Not Know
PrintDescription: Friends and relatives are responsible for preparing most eulogies. However, if you must write a eulogy for a stranger, what can you say? Is it even possible? This article provides advice to help you through the process of eulogizing a stranger.
Kathy Steinemann
It is doable, but you will need to complete some groundwork first. The mere fact that you, a stranger, are delivering the eulogy is probably an indication that information will be limited.
Find out what you can about the departed such as:
• Education
• Background
• Hobbies
• Likes and dislikes
• Profession
• Accomplishments
• Favorite books and movies
You can talk to people like employers, neighbors, co-workers, relatives, members of the clergy, or anyone else who might have firsthand knowledge of the deceased.
Make sure that you have all your facts straight regarding name and nicknames (with correct spelling), date of birth, cause of death (if appropriate), surviving relatives, and other pertinent details.
If you can find photos or videos, try to work them into your presentation.
Here is a sample eulogy that you can use and amend. Change the name of the departed, "he", "his", etc., and other details as appropriate. Try to fit in at least one humorous anecdote.
"I did not know Bill well, but I am delivering his eulogy because I worked closely with him at XYZ Company for ten years. During that time, his attention to detail and helpful attitude always impressed me. He was a good boss with an excellent sense of humor.
"Bill departed from us far too soon following a car accident on July 10, 2009, that was caused by a drunk driver. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to MADD, his favorite charity. Full details are in your funeral programs.
"Bill was an only child, predeceased by his parents. He is survived by cousins, Robert Swanson and James Swanson, who live in Toronto, Canada.
"Bill was born on August 13, 1962 in Vancouver, Canada. He graduated second in his class at ABC High School in 1980. After spending two years working as a food server, he managed to scrape enough money together to attend ABC Community College. After taking four years of business courses, he ran out of funds and decided to enter the workforce.
"He started working for XYZ Company in 1987 and through the years moved up in ranks until becoming the general manager of my department - and my boss.
"From the first day I started with the company, it was apparent that Bill had a growing pen collection in one of his desk drawers. He often cracked jokes about pens sticking to him like glue. He would often take a pen from someone else's work area to scribble a quick note and the pen usually ended up on his desk afterwards.
"One day, everyone in the office got together and purchased a sterling silver pen and pencil set in a marble stand. Conspicuously engraved on pens and stand were the words, 'Property of Bill. Hands off.' He beamed from ear to ear when we presented it to him, and his pen thievery abated somewhat after that. However, he never gave it up completely.
"Bill's favorite song was the Nat King Cole version of 'Smile'.
"I would like to dim the lights and show you a few color slides of Bill at office functions. His cousins also brought some photos from his personal slide collection. While we watch the slides, Ms. Braun from the accounting department will play 'Smile' on the organ.
"Please watch the presentation as you think about his life and meditate on what he meant to you. Afterwards, I will give everyone a chance to talk for a moment about their favorite memories of Bill."
This is just an outline to get you started. Once you begin preparing your eulogy, you will be sure to think of other details based on your own unique situation.
(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.
About the Author:
Kathy writes eulogies for Eulogy Site. Be sure to visit EulogySite.com for more help with funeral and celebration-of-life planning. Article Source: Eulogy Site - http://EulogySite.com