What is the difference between an elegy and a eulogy?

The words elegy [eh-luh-jee] and eulogy [yoo-luh-jee] are both connected to loss and death; however, there is a difference between the two.

  • An elegy is a serious meditative poem, typically written to pay tribute to a deceased individual or to reflect on human mortality in general.
  • A eulogy, on the other hand, is a speech given at a funeral. It is always about a specific person, and its purpose is to honor them by remembering their achievements and character.

In short, an elegy is a poetic expression of mourning, while a eulogy is a speech typically delivered at a funeral to honor the deceased.