Step Two: Write a rough draft.

• Start with a loose and flexible outline that includes a beginning, a middle, and a conclusion -- with each section serving a distinct purpose. But remember that this draft is just a draft -- you'll refine it later. The most important thing is to start writing and getting the ideas flowing.
• The introduction should welcome people and introduce yourself, your loved one, and the theme of your eulogy ("My mother found something good in every person she ever met " or "My dad, although a big success in the business world, defined success by the number of friends you have").
• The body is the main part of your eulogy, where you provide a portrait of your loved one. You shouldn't ramble too much, of course, but you can make this section longer than the other two, less concise. That is, the introduction and conclusion need to be brief and powerful, but in the body you can stretch out a little and use remembrances and anecdotes to remind everyone of what was special about your loved one.
• The conclusion is your last word, and you want to make it count. You're tying all your themes together, telling a final anecdote or passing along a characteristic quote, and ending with a final farewell.

Keep these do's and don'ts in mind.

• Show, don't tell.

Instead of telling us that your mother was generous, for example, show us this by relating a story. Include small, telling details that bring your loved one to life; for example, the time your mother offered to change her wedding date to accommodate her best friends' plans or how she stepped up and made all the cookies for the church bake sale.

• Use humor.

Just be sure it's tasteful and affectionate.

• Be honest.

Don't hesitate to mention bad times as well as good. If handled judiciously, it can be powerful to tell about a disagreement you had with your loved one, or an error the loved one made, as long as you place the event in the context of a loving tribute.

• Keep it to a reasonable length.

For your first draft, write everything down to help stimulate memories and ideas. But it's good to have a rough idea of what length the final draft should be -- usually five to eight minutes long (or about three to seven double-spaced typed pages). The length of your eulogy will depend on how many speakers are featured at the ceremony and other practical considerations.