Eric F. Box Funeral Directors

Celebrating remarkable lives with memorable funerals

Designing It

Eulogy - Content

Our funeral directors will offer ideas on how to create a meaningful funeral, however, by answering the following questions, you will also be able to engage in the process more positively:

  • What did the person like to do?
  • What was the person like as an individual?
  • What was the person like as a professional?
  • Was the person spiritual?

What did the person like to do?

Often people have hobbies that are more than just a casual pastime. Why not showcase that important part of their life during the funeral? Incorporating a hobby can be as simple as:

  • Displaying items used for their hobby; e.g. sports equipment, gardening tools, or collections.
  • Personalizing the coffin or urn with a symbol/image of their hobby.
  • Displaying trophies or awards they won.
  • Creating a picture board or presentation featuring pictures of them engaged in their hobby.
  • Having someone speak about the person’s passion for the hobby.

By adding these or other personal touches to a funeral, the service becomes a reflection of the person’s life and personality.

What was the person like as an individual?

One way to enhance a funeral is by bringing a piece of the person’s personality to life. Consider what made that person special, what made them who they were? Then find ways to link their individuality to traditional aspects of a funeral service. As an example, an avid horse lover may want to ride off into the sunset one last time. Tasteful ways to create a meaningful funeral include:

  • Using a horse drawn hearse rather than a motor hearse.
  • Having their saddle and riding equipment displayed.
  • Having their horse walk in the procession.

Other themes you may want to consider:

  • Military honours for a member of the armed forces.
  • Harley-Davidson Hearse for the Harley owner.

What was the person like as a professional?

Many people take great pride in their career. Perhaps they dedicated their life to a profession that transformed into more than just a job. If this holds true for your loved one, you may want to consider ways to include their professional life into their funeral service. The following is an example of how you could incorporate a profession into a service:

For a teacher:

  • Have the choir or band from the school perform during the service.
  • Encourage students to write essays about the person, which could then be displayed.
  • Invite a past student to speak at the service.

Was the person spiritual?

Through organized religion or personal beliefs, most people have some sense of spirituality in their life. Often those values are from the very core of who the person was in life. Therefore, you may feel it is important to incorporate the individual’s sense of spirituality into their funeral service. Following are ideas on how to incorporate spirituality into a funeral service:

  • Hold the service at the person’s parish or religious facility.
  • Have someone read excerpts from a key religious publication (i.e. Bible).
  • Have the person’s cremated remains scattered at a place of spiritual significance to them.
  • Read a prayer that touches on their key beliefs.
  • Include sacred music from their religion in the service