Eulogy vs. Obituary: What’s the Difference?

Funeral jargon can be a little tricky to wrap your head around. Today we’re going to clear up the differences between a eulogy and an obituary. These are two common parts of a funeral that often get mixed up together, but we’ll make sure you have a good grip on them by the end of this article. So, what’s the difference between the two?

In short, a eulogy is a speech given during a funeral or memorial service that pays homage to the deceased. It’s a time to share stories of the person and remember what made him or her so wonderful. An obituary is a short text declaring the death of an individual and sharing a few personal details and plans for the funeral service (if it’s an open-invite event). The text is then published online, in a newspaper, or both.

Okay, now that we have the general gist of the two words, let’s take a closer look at the nitty-gritty details of each one.

What’s a Eulogy?

Eulogies are speeches that last about 5 minutes. The orator will share stories, insights, and accomplishments of the person who passed away. It’s a wonderful time to share touching or fun anecdotes about the deceased.

A funeral can have multiple eulogies. Usually, the people who give the speeches are close family and friends who were given time to prepare. Eulogies can be an emotional moment as they’re a chance for a final goodbye. So, don’t worry if you get choked up in the middle of your speech–it happens to the best of us.

How Long is a Eulogy?

Most eulogies last between 3 and 10 minutes (400 to 1,000 words). Staying around the five-minute mark is the sweet spot, but you’re welcome to make it as short or long as you’d like. Just be mindful that longer speeches can feel drawn out, especially if there are multiple speakers.

What’s an Obituary?

Obituaries are written pieces published online or in newspapers that alert the public of a person’s death. If you read your local paper, you may have seen a photo of someone who passed and a short bio describing who the person was and surviving family members. If you are having an open-invite funeral or memorial service, you can share details of it in the obituary.

These short texts are usually written by family members or close friends. Unlike eulogies, there is only one obituary that will be published on multiple platforms or in various newspapers.

How Long Should an Obituary be?

An obituary should be around 200 words. As a rule of thumb, don’t exceed 500 words, but write something longer than 50 words.

Do You Need a Eulogy and Obituary?

When a loved one passes away, you are allowed to handle the situation in any way right for you. Neither obituaries nor eulogies are required, but there are a few good reasons to include them. Obituaries would be a great option if the deceased were a prominent member of a community, ensuring most people are notified of the death. With social media, notifying people has never been easier. The obituary can be as simple as a posted picture with the deceased date of passing. At larger funerals, you should include at least a short eulogy to be courteous to everyone who attended. There are no rules about who has to give a speech, and you’ll have no trouble finding people to say a few words about the deceased.

Final Thoughts

We hope the differences between a eulogy and an obituary are clearer now. Both rituals are a special part of someone’s passing, but it’s always up to the family whether to include them. Remember, they can be tailored in any way that best suits you!