Learn English – What do you call writing in memory of someone who has passed away

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I was recently invited to contribute a piece of writing to commemorate a friend who has passed away. My writing, along with others, were compiled into a book that was passed out at the funeral; these were memorial tributes "in memoriam" of my friend, some prose and some poetry, but certainly not "obituaries." Is there a better word or phrase to refer to this type of writing than "eulogy," which, as far as I know, generally refers to a praise-filled speech?

Eulogy: A speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly,
especially a tribute to someone who has just died (Source: Oxford Dictionaries)

EDIT: These writings range in tone from elegiac to eulogizing, which is why I hesitate to use the word "eulogy" as a blanket term.

Best Answer

I believe you are speaking of an elegy, or elegiac writings:

a sad poem or song : a poem or song that expresses sorrow for someone who is dead

[Merriam-Webster]

Also consider lamentation:

an expression of great sorrow or deep sadness

[Merriam-Webster]

If you were attempting to find a word that fits all of these different types of writings, you might generally classify them as commemorative:

intended to honor an important event or person from the past

[Merriam-Webster]

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