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A eulogy is a type of speech in praise of someone else. Eulogies are typically read or recited at funerals in honor of a loved one who passed on. Since most of us don’t usually need to know how to write a eulogy until a loved one passes, it’s not always easy to understand how to write one. Reading through examples is a helpful way to inspire yourself to write one for someone in your life.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Funny Eulogy Example
- Sad Eulogy Example
- Uplifting Eulogy Example
Whether you’re preparing for a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, don’t fret. Learning how to start a eulogy isn’t as hard as it seems. If you focus on what this person meant to you and their impact, you’re honoring their memory. Read through these eulogy examples below for more insight into how to create your own.
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Funny Eulogy Example
Eulogies don’t have to be sad. While funerals are a time to express one’s grief, they are also a wonderful celebration of life. If the deceased person had a strong sense of humor, honor that with a funny eulogy. Make your eulogy a memorable moment for all who listen.
Thank you all for gathering with me today to celebrate the life of my sister, Janet. She left this world too early. I have a suspicion it was so she could avoid ever returning my favorite sweater. She told me I’d never find it, and she was right!
Anyone who knew Janet knew she didn’t much like being bossed around. This strong-willed temper started when she was born. From the school playground to our college years, she was always there to tell me what to do. I never listened, of course, but that didn’t stop her!
She put her strong-willed nature to good use when she landed her dream job as an editor with the State Media Institute. She’d call me every night to tell me about her day, droning on and on about the office gossip like it was the most exciting thing she’d ever heard. She was always in the middle of the action. Janet told me this was because she wanted to live life to the fullest. She wanted to be remembered.
In her final weeks, even though she was sicker than ever, she told me she’d done everything she wanted. She said she’d been in control for so long, and she was just glad finally someone else was doing something around here! Not that the soup or flowers I brought were ever to her taste, but I think she secretly just liked to nit-pick.
I know everyone who was close to Janet will remember her just as she wanted — with a glass of wine in hand, always about to say something controversial. Even though she’s in Heaven now, I know she’s still entertaining herself with the latest gossip about grandma and everyone else who passed before her.
It’s hard to believe you’re gone, Janet, but you’ll be forever missed. I can’t say I’ll miss your fashion advice, though! Nobody will ever look quite as extravagant in a feather boa as you did every day through high school! And you weren’t right about high-waisted pants. They did come back in style, despite your best efforts. Until we meet again, baby sister, I’ll cheers to you every time I sip on your favorite champagne. I’ll also do my best to start as many crazy, outrageous rumors about your life as possible, just as you wanted. And don’t think I’ll forget about the sweater you stole!
Sad Eulogy Example
Eulogies are powerful tools. They make us feel a certain way. More often than not, funeral eulogies evoke sadness. This doesn’t have to be a somber moment, however. Sadness is the best way to process one’s grief after losing a loved one. Don’t be afraid to lean into these feelings with your own eulogy for someone you love.
My dad was always my hero. Since I was a little girl, he always was who I looked up to. His contagious positivity was the brightest light in my life.
My dad grew up far from here. His life began in the backgrounds of Tennessee. He used to tell anyone who would listen about his days running through the mountains with his friends. I’ll never forget the photo he showed me of Mount Chapman at sunset. The sun was the most brilliant shade of red I’d ever seen, and he said that was the color of his home.
He left all of that behind for my mom, the love of his life. My dad told me his passion drove him to a new home, and he never regretted leaving for one moment. Together, my parents made the perfect pair. He cooked every other day, though he wasn’t very good at it. We’d all gather around the dinner table to share stories about our days over burnt mac and cheese and leftovers. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was the greatest childhood I could have asked for.
Even when I left for college, my dad was still there. He was the first one I’d call after every test, ever bad night, and ever bout of homesickness. He would listen to my rambles about boys and roommates and professors. He never missed a call. Our weekly tradition of picking up the phone to chat continued until just last week, when he answered the phone for the last time. I caught myself picking up the phone just yesterday to call him. I don’t think I’ll ever get over not being able to call him.
Even though he will no longer be there for our phone calls and mac and cheese dinners, I know he’s still watching over me and Mom. He inspires me every day to live life to the fullest, to never stop chasing beautiful sunsets. If there was a version of my dad I wanted to remember most, it would be the sight of him leaning over the dinner table, animatedly talking about his hometown.
To honor his memory, mom and I will be traveling to Mount Chapman next weekend. We’ll spread his ashes at sunset, and I know he will be with us for that moment.
Uplifting Eulogy Example
Sometimes eulogies are the perfect mix of happiness and sadness. These are uplifting eulogies. They remind us that while life is fleeting, our memories live on in those we love. They bring relief to even the darkest of times. When learning how to end a eulogy, most try to finish on a positive note.
I’d like to say a few words about my dear friend Todd. He and I have known each other since college. In fact, he was my first roommate. Growing up, I was an only child. Todd quickly became like a brother to me. We got in all kinds of trouble that first year together. Todd was the kind of friend every guy wanted to have. He was loyal, funny, and always down for a late-night trip to our favorite diner.
After college, Todd and I went our separate ways for a while. He met Diane, the love of his life. I’ll never forget Todd calling me after his first date with Diane. He was so sure she was the one. I have to be honest, I wasn’t so sure. Todd was always the type to go all-in on anything without thinking things through. What made this time any different? “She loves football just as much as I do!” he told me. That’s when I knew he was right. She was the one.
Diane and Todd moved back to our hometown where I was still living with my own family now. We got along as if no time had passed. It was never complicated, whether he hosted one of his famous game nights or we took another trip to our favorite diner. I could always count on Todd to bring his excitement and a case of his favorite beer to everything in life.
Though Todd is no longer with us, I still see his bright light in his wife, Diane. I also recognize the same passion for all things football in his son, Andy. I hope you will all join me in going to Todd’s favorite diner. Yes, the same one from college. I’m sure we’ll still feel Todd’s presence in the booth with us, getting ready to chow down on his favorite pancakes. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
Eulogy Inspiration
As you can see from the examples above, eulogies come in all shapes and sizes. There is no single right way to write a eulogy. If you’re writing something meaningful, you’re doing everything right.
Eulogies don’t have to be sad. They can also be funny or uplifting. To decide what eulogy is best for your loved one, consider what they would have wanted. What kind of person were they? How would they like to be remembered? If you follow your heart, you’re on the right track.
For more help writing a eulogy, read our guide to how to write a eulogy for your father, eulogy for your mother, and even how to write a eulogy for yourself.
