Beyond 'They Were a Good Person': How AI Helps Create Eulogies That Truly Capture Someone's Essence
When faced with writing a eulogy, many of us fall back on familiar phrases: "They were a good person," "They lived life to the fullest," or "They would give you the shirt off their back." While these sentiments come from the heart, they don't truly capture what made your loved one special or help mourners connect with their unique essence.
The challenge isn't that these phrases are wrong—it's that they're so universal they could apply to almost anyone. Your mum, dad, partner, or friend deserves a eulogy that reflects their individual quirks, passions, and the specific ways they touched lives.
This is where AI eulogy writing tools are transforming how we approach funeral speeches, helping families create tributes that go far beyond generic statements to capture the real person everyone is there to remember.
The Problem with Generic Eulogy Phrases
Most people rely on common eulogy phrases because they're struggling with grief and don't know how to translate their complex feelings into words. Traditional eulogy templates and guides often provide lists of "appropriate" phrases, but these can leave your tribute feeling hollow and impersonal.
Consider these overused expressions:
- "They lit up every room they entered"
- "They were taken too soon"
- "They fought a brave battle"
- "They were loved by everyone"
While potentially true, these phrases don't tell mourners anything specific about the person you're honouring. They don't share the grandmother who always had sherbet lemons in her handbag, the colleague who could fix any computer problem with patience and a cup of tea, or the friend who knew exactly what to say during life's difficult moments.
How AI Transforms Personal Memories into Meaningful Content
Modern AI eulogy writing tools, like those available at Funeral Speech, work differently from traditional templates. Instead of offering generic phrases, they help you transform specific memories and personal details into eloquent, heartfelt tributes.
The Memory-to-Meaning Process
AI eulogy writing begins with your memories—the small moments, personality traits, and stories that made your loved one who they were. The technology then helps weave these elements together into a cohesive narrative that feels authentic and personal.
For example, instead of saying "Dad was a hard worker," an AI-assisted eulogy might capture: "Dad believed that any job worth doing was worth doing properly. Whether he was teaching my brother to change a tyre on a Sunday afternoon or spending hours perfecting his prize-winning roses, he showed us that taking pride in your work—no matter how small—was its own reward."
This approach transforms a generic statement into a vivid picture that helps mourners remember not just what someone did, but how they did it and why it mattered.
Moving Beyond Surface-Level Descriptions
Capturing Personality Through Specific Details
The best eulogies paint a picture using specific details rather than broad characterisations. AI writing tools excel at helping you identify and articulate these details from your collection of memories.
Instead of: "She was generous" Try: "Mum had a sixth sense for knowing when someone needed help. She'd appear at your doorstep with a casserole and a listening ear, never making a fuss about it, never expecting anything in return."
Highlighting Unique Quirks and Habits
What made your loved one distinctly themselves? Perhaps your grandfather always wore his lucky hat to football matches, or your sister had an uncanny ability to remember everyone's birthday without writing them down. These details bring personality to life in ways that generic descriptions never could.
AI tools can help you recognise patterns in your memories and present them in ways that celebrate these unique characteristics rather than simply listing them.
The Art of Storytelling in Eulogies
Transforming Anecdotes into Meaningful Narratives
A good eulogy doesn't just share memories—it finds the deeper meaning within them. AI writing assistance can help you structure stories in ways that reveal character and values, making your tribute more impactful.
For instance, a simple memory about someone always being late might be transformed into a story about how they were perpetually late because they couldn't walk past anyone who needed help, whether it was carrying shopping bags or having a chat with a lonely neighbour. Or maybe they were just really bad at time keeping!
Balancing Different Aspects of Someone's Life
Most people are complex—they might have been a devoted parent, a passionate gardener, a terrible cook, and someone who could make anyone laugh. AI eulogy tools help you weave together different facets of personality into a cohesive tribute that acknowledges this complexity without feeling scattered. You may also require strategies for managing difficult emotions during the eulogy writing process.
Practical Examples of Personalised Eulogy Writing
Example 1: The Teacher Who Impacted Lives
Generic version: "Mrs Johnson was a wonderful teacher who cared about her students."
AI-enhanced version: "Mrs Johnson had a peculiar gift for seeing potential where others saw problems. She kept a box of mismatched buttons on her desk—not for any craft project, but because she believed that like those buttons, every child was unique and valuable, even if they didn't seem to fit the conventional pattern. Her former students would often return years later to thank her, not just for teaching them English, but for teaching them to value their own uniqueness."
Example 2: The Friend Who Brought People Together
Generic version: "Tom was the life of the party and brought people together."
AI-enhanced version: “Tom never forgot anything about anyone. He'd ask about your daughter's piano recital three months after you'd mentioned it, or remember that you were nervous about that job interview. At parties, he was always the one hovering around the kitchen, introducing the new mum to someone whose kids went to the same school, or connecting two people who'd been complaining about the same roadworks for weeks. He had this knack for spotting the things people had in common before they realised it themselves.”
Using Technology to Preserve Authentic Voice
One concern people often have about using AI for eulogy writing is whether it will sound authentic. The key is that quality AI writing tools don't replace your voice—they amplify it. They help you articulate feelings and memories that might be difficult to express during grief, while maintaining the personal tone and specific details that make the eulogy genuine.
The technology works best when you provide:
- Specific memories and stories
- Details about personality traits
- Examples of how your loved one impacted others
- Their particular sayings, habits, or quirks
Getting Started with AI Eulogy Writing
If you're ready to move beyond generic phrases and create a eulogy that truly captures your loved one's essence, consider using an AI writing tool designed specifically for this purpose. At Funeral Speech, you can:
- Input memories at your own pace
- Adjust the tone and style to match your loved one's personality
- Include appropriate levels of humour or emotion
- Generate multiple versions to find the perfect tribute
You can also explore eulogy examples to see how others have successfully moved beyond clichés, or browse poems if you'd prefer a different format for your tribute.
The Importance of Authenticity in Grief
Writing a eulogy is one of the most meaningful ways we can honour someone's memory. It's an opportunity to help others remember not just that someone existed, but how they made the world a little bit different—and hopefully better—by being in it.
By moving beyond generic phrases and focusing on the specific ways your loved one touched lives, you create a lasting tribute that truly serves their memory and helps others process their grief through shared understanding of who this person really was.
Finding Support When You Need It
If you're struggling with eulogy writing, remember that seeking help isn't a sign of inadequacy—it's a sign of wanting to do justice to someone you care about. Whether you use AI writing tools, seek inspiration from examples, or simply take time to gather your thoughts and memories, the goal is creating something meaningful.
For additional support and guidance throughout the process, visit our Help section, which offers comprehensive resources for every stage of eulogy writing.
Remember, the best eulogy isn't necessarily the most eloquent or perfectly structured—it's the one that helps people remember and celebrate the unique individual you're honouring. By focusing on specific memories, personal details, and authentic stories, you'll create a tribute that goes far beyond "they were a good person" to show exactly why they were irreplaceable.