Eulogy Vs. Obituary: What’s The Difference?

People have developed different rituals and practices following the passing of a loved one. In these, you may come across eulogies and obituaries. The distinction between these two words is unclear to many.

While both eulogies and obituaries are written to commemorate a relative or a close friend’s death, there are differences between them. To learn about the differences between eulogy vs. obituary, we have to understand them first. Read on to learn more.

What’s a Eulogy?

A eulogy is a form of funeral service speech wherein people tell stories about the deceased. This is often shared verbally and in much greater detail than an obituary. Close friends and family members are the ones who usually share these stories about their loved ones.

Many families choose to have more than one speaker at the funeral to cover more than one aspect of their loved one’s life. The eulogists speak through their points of view about the moments and experiences they shared with the deceased.

What Is an Obituary?

An obituary is a short-written biography about a deceased person usually found in newspapers. The purpose of obituaries is to inform the public about their passing. These also contain personal information about the person who passed, like the name, age, date of death, and birthplace.

These written biographies are also used as a death notice since the old days. In the modern era, obituaries can also be found online. While newspapers and other print media run for a day, online obituaries can last forever since they’re on the internet.

What’s the Difference?

The main difference between these two is the way they are delivered. Obituaries are written information to notify the public about a person’s passing. These contain a summary of a person’s life published through various media outlets like newspapers and online publications. While people prefer a simple announcement, obituaries are a great way to celebrate the life of the deceased by making a short story to keep their memory alive.

On the other hand, eulogies are stories told verbally by the deceased’s close friends and family. They share experiences and memories they had with their loved ones. Eulogies have more emotions behind them, as the best eulogies come straight from the heart.

Consider getting professional eulogy and obituary writing services if you would like some guidance in creating them. If you’re looking for credible cremation services in VA, you should call Direct Cremation Services of Virginia. We can help you with the cremation and preparation of your departed loved one. Get in touch with us today.