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 Eulogies
can cover a "potted history" of a persons life, and often
include the following items:
This can cover—
Deceased's name & nicknames
Date of birth
Birthplace and names of parents and siblings
Personality, characteristic sayings or humor
Music, entertainment, and sporting interests
Last days before death and date of death
Tributes are more personal expressions about incidents and
individual experiences shared with the deceased.
Favorite pieces of music can be played when the cortege
arrives at the chapel or graveside, during the reflection
and on leaving chapel.
However music can be accommodated at other times.
Performing funeral ceremonies is an enormous privilege,
which I do not take lightly. Often I do them for the same
families, in which I married couples, and sometimes I marry
couples who met me at a funeral. I am honored to feel a part
of their lives.
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Personalized civil
funerals, which acknowledge the life and times of a deceased loved
one, are commonly performed.
Paying tribute to the way in which the one you have lost touched
your life, gives meaning to all you have shared together.
Consulting with the bereaved family, I will include personal
tributes, eulogies, music in a funeral ceremony.
The ceremony may be held at the graveside: in a chapel: a private
home or outdoors, perhaps in a bush or beach setting of your choice.
The introduction of speakers, and the timing and theme of their
tribute, chosen music and the order of the service is fully
discussed.
I believe in the necessity of saying goodbye to a loved one in a
manner that gives comfort to the bereaved and encourages fond
memories of the deceased.
To be told afterwards that I "must have known" the deceased is a
prized compliment, not only to myself, but to the family which has
been able to express their feelings with trust and compassion.
The eulogy can be prepared and read by myself, or by a member of the
family.
Family and friends come forward to tell of their own personal
experiences and memories of the deceased.
Part of my duty is to co-ordinate these expressions of love and
friendship to cover different aspects of the person's life; to
introduce the speakers and to ensure that any timing limits and
family wishes are regarded.
A period of reflection, when a favorite piece of music may be
played, offers a chance for silent prayer, or the placing of floral
tributes on the coffin.
Some families chose to write the eulogy themselves, and even to
present it. Others choose to visit my home office to arrange the
wording, or I visit them.
Other families communicate by phone or email until we are all
satisfied that the ceremony is meaningful, correctly worded and a
fitting tribute to their loved one.
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