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How long should a eulogy be?
Most eulogies are three to five minutes, about 390 to 750 words. If you are the only speaker, up to ten minutes is fine; if several people speak, keep it shorter and agree on who covers what.
Work it out
words, at 130 to 150 words a minute
- At 140 words a minute
- 700 words
- Script pages, double-spaced
- 2.6–3
- Pages, single-spaced, Arial 12 pt
- 1.3–1.5
- Reading it silently
- 2 min 56 sec
- Paragraphs
- 3–8
Write it in the word counter with a limit of 750 words.
Open the word counterWords for Eulogy at different speeds
| Pace | Words | Double-spaced pages |
|---|---|---|
| Measured, 130 words a minute | 390–650 | 1.6–2.6 |
| Typical, 140 words a minute | 420–700 | 1.7–2.8 |
| Conversational, 150 words a minute | 450–750 | 1.8–3 |
Estimates for US Letter or A4 with 1-inch (2.54 cm) margins and ordinary paragraphs; reading at 238 words a minute, speaking at 130 to 150.
Finding the right length
Ask the family or the person leading the service how long they would like you to speak; services are often timed, especially at a crematorium. Three to five minutes lets you share who the person was through a few stories, without the strain of speaking for long on a hard day.
A gentle structure
- Who you are and your relationship to the person.
- Two or three stories or qualities that people will recognise.
- What they meant to you and to others.
- A short goodbye, a reading or a few words to end.
Print it in a large font with wide spacing, and mark where to pause. It is fine to read it word for word, and fine to stop for a moment.
Questions and answers
How many words is a 5-minute eulogy?
About 650 to 750 words, or about three double-spaced pages.
How many pages is a eulogy?
Usually one and a half to three double-spaced pages, or one single-spaced page.
Can a eulogy be short?
Yes. A sincere two-minute eulogy, about 250 words, can be the one people remember.