A eulogy is often the most powerful part of a funeral or celebration of life. It puts grief into words and helps everyone present remember the person they have lost.
But during an already overwhelming time, many Canadians wonder: what does it actually cost to have a meaningful eulogy? Here we compare the three most common approaches and introduce an alternative that many people are not yet aware of.
People ask me about the price of a eulogy all the time. Usually something else sits behind the question: the worry of making one more decision at a time that's already overwhelming. My honest take: what carries a eulogy isn't the budget, it's the willingness to speak honestly about the person you are saying goodbye to. Which of these paths is right for you depends less on the price than on how much energy you have left in this season.
Claire Fairchild
Option 1: Hire a Professional Eulogy Writer
A professional eulogy writer or funeral celebrant will typically conduct a phone or in-person consultation with the family, gather memories and stories, and craft a personalised speech. Some celebrants also deliver the eulogy at the service.
What does it cost? In Canada, professional eulogy writing services generally range from C$500 to C$1,200 or more. A full celebrant service that includes writing and delivering the ceremony can cost C$800 to C$1,500+. Rates vary by province and the celebrant's experience.
Time required: Expect a lead time of several days to a week. During the acute grieving phase, this means additional organisational effort: scheduling consultations, gathering information, and going through revision rounds.
Verdict: Professional and compassionate, but a significant expense. Especially when funeral costs in Canada already range from $7,000 to $12,000, it adds meaningful pressure to the budget.
Option 2: Write It Yourself (DIY)
Many family members feel a strong desire to write the eulogy themselves, wanting to personally pay their final respects. This is a deeply honourable instinct.
What does it cost? Nothing financially. But the emotional cost is considerable: finding the right words while you are in the depths of grief is extraordinarily difficult. Many people spend days working on a eulogy, caught between mourning, funeral planning, family obligations, and everyday life that does not pause.
Time required: Very high and emotionally exhausting. The combination of time pressure and grief frequently leads to frustration with the result or feeling completely overwhelmed.
Verdict: Personal and heartfelt, but an enormous additional burden during an already devastating time.
Option 3: AI-Powered Speech Generator
An AI-powered speech generator creates a compassionate, individualised eulogy based on your personal details about the deceased. You answer questions about the person, your relationship, and your shared memories, and receive a complete speech that you can further customise. Try it out here.
What does it cost? Just a fraction of what a professional eulogy writer charges. A welcome relief when funeral costs are already stretching the family budget.
Time required: Approximately 15 minutes. You complete the questionnaire, and the AI creates a personalised eulogy. Especially valuable when the funeral is days away and time is scarce.
Verdict: Fast, dignified, and affordable. A genuine help during one of life's most difficult moments.
The Comparison: All Three Options at a Glance
| Professional Eulogy Writer | Write It Yourself | AI Speech Generator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | C$500 - C$1,200+ | C$0 (but high emotional cost) | Very affordable |
| Time Required | Several days to 1 week | Days (under heavy emotional strain) | ~15 minutes |
| Quality | Very high | Variable | High & compassionate |
| Personalization | Yes (after consultation) | Yes (on your own) | Yes (via questionnaire) |
| Availability | Lead time needed, often booked | Immediate, but emotionally hard | Available instantly |
| Emotional Burden | Low (taken off your hands) | Very high | Low |
Which Option Is Right for You?
Professional Eulogy Writer
The right choice if you want someone to handle the entire ceremony, including delivering the speech. Particularly valuable when no one in the family feels able to speak in front of the congregation.
Write It Yourself
A good option for those who feel capable of finding the right words despite their grief. If you write well and have the time, you can create something deeply personal. For most people, however, it becomes overwhelming under the circumstances.
AI-Powered Speech Generator
Ideal for anyone who wants a personal, dignified eulogy but lacks the time or emotional energy to write one from scratch. The generator provides a compassionate foundation that you can enrich with your own memories and personal touches.
Our Recommendation: Let AI Support You Through a Difficult Time
During grief, forming a clear thought is hard enough, let alone writing a coherent speech. That is precisely where an AI speech generator helps: it lifts the burden of the blank page and gives you a structure to build on with your own words.
Focus on what truly matters: saying goodbye and honouring a life well lived. Try our speech generator and let us help during this difficult time.