After the death of a loved one, you or another family member will need to write a eulogy and an obituary. But what is the difference between these two?
While both the eulogy and the obituary aim to honor the deceased and celebrate their life, these two forms of writing serve distinct purposes. Here are a few key ways eulogies and obituaries are different:
Spoken vs. Written
The most significant difference between the eulogy and the obituary is that one is spoken, and one is written. An obituary is a written account of the deceased’s life, while a eulogy is a speech given at a funeral in honor of the person who has died.
A eulogy will be written before it’s spoken, but it should be written as a speech, with more emphasis on how it sounds than on how it appears on a page. An obituary will primarily be shared in print or online, so extra focus should be placed on grammar and organization.
Long vs. short
Another difference between eulogies and obituaries is their length. While the length can vary, eulogies are often much longer than obituaries.
While the length of a eulogy will vary based on the speaker’s speed, eulogies tend to be around 3-5 minutes, which means they’re usually at least a page or two long. This gives the speaker time to elaborate on specific stories or special memories of the deceased.
Since obituaries focus more on biographical information, they’re often shorter, usually around 200 words, although they can be longer. Some publications have a word count limit for obituaries, so an obituary writer will need to check to see if there are any specific length guidelines they need to follow.
Snapshot vs. Biography
Both eulogies and obituaries honor the deceased and recount moments from their life, but their focus is usually different. The eulogy typically shares more of a snapshot of the deceased’s life. It may include some biographical information, but its main focus should be highlighting the legacy of the deceased: the meaningful moments and the lives they impacted.
On the other hand, obituaries tend to be more biographical. They typically focus on the deceased’s accomplishments and details about their family, providing a bird’s-eye view of who they were. That doesn’t mean an obituary is just a list of names and dates, though! Great obituaries are also personal and give an idea of the deceased’s personality, hobbies, and passions.
Now you know the difference between an obituary and a eulogy! While the two are very different, both share a common goal: to honor someone who has died. If you are creating an obituary or eulogy for someone you love, personalize what you write and share the legacy left behind by your loved one.
