A Eulogy That’s Going Viral

Richard "Dick" Ruth, the writer of a eulogy going viral. Photo

An obituary that was read as a eulogy at Dick Ruth’s funeral has received more than 100,000 hits on the Funeral Home website.

What’s so striking about the obituary that doubled as a eulogy?

+ It was written by Dick himself and it is absolutely personal.

+ It was revised and polished many times over 25 years!

+ It is hilarious because Dick wanted his passing to be light-hearted as well as deeply reflective.

+ Dick doesn’t pump himself up. He is self-deprecating, writing about such failures in baseball and his miserliness. He rated himself among the top 20 singers in the St Benedict Parish, “a view shared by almost no one.”

+ Dick wrote about his relationships, his passions and his values.

+ He spoke about his beliefs and spirituality—his following of Jesus, his commitment to his church and his study of Scripture. He did this in a humorous manner stating that on his way to heaven his soul would be making “a detour to Purgatory, where he will remain until he is purified enough to stand before his all-perfect maker.”

Judging by the many comments, Dick’s statement has inspired and comforted lots of people.

Dick Ruth’s viral statement, written and polished over 25 years, is an encouragement to write or get our own eulogy written. For our own sake. For our family and the inspiration of others.

Read Dick Ruth’s obituary and eulogy.

More at ‘Man’s Obituary that Took Him 25 Years to Perfect Goes Viral a Month after His Death, NZ Herald, 26 September 2024.

Geoff Pound