One of the most effective methods when preparing to write eulogy speeches is to plan them as you would any speech. There are several things to note when preparing a eulogy. For example, if you are not an immediate member of the family and yet have been asked to deliver one at someone's funeral, you may wish to begin by introducing yourself to the other attendees. Explain your relationship to the deceased in a few words like so: "For those of you who don't know me, I am Bill, a nephew and I would like to say a few words about my uncle Phil".



The next step is to remember to keep the eulogy personal. If you are delivering a eulogy at an uncle's funeral, then surely you would have memories of having done things together when you were growing up. Include those moments in your speech. "I'll certainly miss our long-standing tradition of Sunday barbecues by the lake and the long discussions we would have after." If you have photos of the two of you together on these occasions, it may help to show them too.

When sharing happy memories such as those Sunday barbecues, be mindful that you share only the good times. Be sure to mention funny moments like when he knocked the barbecue pit over and spilled your lunches all over the lawn, but omit the part where he got really angry about being so clumsy and stormed off. It is important to include all the fun and happy moments you shared without putting a damper on things by mentioning any of the not-so-good-times.

If Uncle Phil had a specific talent like singing, then think about ways in which you can include such details in your eulogy. And if you have recordings of him singing, you can play these in the background as you deliver your eulogy.

When describing his character, give examples of his good sides while omitting the bad. Share memories of his kindness especially if he were prone to charitable acts. In fact, if you could get a quote from people he's helped over the years, that would certainly speak volumes about Uncle Phil's good attributes.

Speak about the values by which Uncle Phil lived his life and even those that he taught you. Explain how these values have helped shape who you are today and why you will be eternally grateful to your uncle for teaching them to you. And don't forget to mention how he was always there for you, for his family and his friends. That is worthy of admiration too.

Was Uncle Phil an avid traveler? Do touch on some of his favorite places to visit. If he owned a boat and was the seafaring sort, make a note of it in your address. You could even read from a postcard he may have sent you or share some of the stories of his travels with those at the funeral.

There is just so much you can add to a eulogy to make it that much more special. Whether you choose to list all of Uncle Phil's achievements or not, the goal of the eulogy is to briefly summarize his life while commemorating any unique milestone or historical event in it. Ultimately, your aim should be that Uncle Phil is well remembered and deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.