Eulogies for infants
If you are in the difficult situation of having to deliver a eulogy for an infant who died of SIDS, ensure that you learn as much about the child as possible. Take time to view pictures or watch videos made of the child. If you have a close relationship to the family, reflect on all of the wonderful times you spent with the baby during his or her brief life. Ensure to write down any and all memories so not to forget anything. Recall the idiosyncrasies, even the normal things -- smiles, giggles, chuckles and even the cries. Also jot down some of your memories of times you have of the parents, when they first shared with others of the pregnancy of the child. Reflect on times during the pregnancy, then the birth. Reflect on any other significant times spent together. Following are some tips on where to begin writing the eulogy include:
Speak with as many family members and close friends about the baby. If possible, talk with the family's pastor or funeral director; it is very likely they had to go through a baby's funeral before.
Other things to keep in mind when writing a eulogy for an infant who died of SIDS include:
- First and foremost, express your condolences to the entire family, mentioning each by name, including any surviving siblings
- Speak nothing negative
- Keep your eulogy to the minimum- speak no more than five to seven minutes
- Give yourself time to research
- Give yourself time to write your eulogy
- Decide the tone and keep with it
- Structure your eulogy into sections: beginning, middle and end
- Remember who you are speaking about. Not you, but the baby and keep focused on the child and his or her parents
- Remember, this is not a biography; it is merely a brief account of the child's short life, and recognizing the many acheivments
- Delivering the eulogy for an infant is an extremely difficult task and it would be quite normal to become emotional. Because this may be the case you may want to ask a support person to be prepared to assist you and even come up and support you.