Eulogy
A gentle, step-by-step eulogy you can print on cue cards: a welcome, who they were, a few true stories, what they gave others and a calm farewell.
Speech8 cardsAbout 6 min to speakBeginnerFamily
Eulogy for a mother or father
Cue cards for a son or daughter giving a eulogy for their mum or dad: who they were before you, what home felt like, their lessons and a loving goodbye.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Opening
Thank you for coming to say goodbye to our [mum / dad / mother / father], [full name].
I'm [your name], [their eldest / youngest / only] [son / daughter / child].
[On behalf of my brothers and sisters / the whole family], thank you for the love you have shown us this week.
- 2
Before they were [Mum / Dad]
Before they were our [mum / dad], [first name] was [a girl from ... / a boy who ...].
[One or two facts we only learned later: a job, a dream, a place they lived, how they met our other parent.]
- 3
What home felt like
Growing up, home meant [the smell of ... / music on a Saturday / a full table / the garden].
[Mum / Dad] always [a ritual: waking us with ..., checking homework, driving us anywhere].
- 4
A story only family knows
[A short, warm story from childhood. Keep it light enough to share: a holiday, a mishap, a time they surprised you.]
Pause. Smile if you can.
- 5
What they taught us
- [A rule they lived by, e.g. "Always finish what you start"]
- [A practical skill: cooking, fixing things, saving money]
- [A value: kindness to strangers, honesty, hard work]
I hear [their] voice every time I [do one of these things].
- 6
As a grandparent and friend
To their grandchildren, [first name] was [Nan / Grandpa / Abuela / a nickname] who [what they did together].
To their friends, they were [the one who always ...].
- 7
The last chapter
[If the family wishes: a sentence about their final months, the care they received, or thanks to nurses, carers or neighbours.]
[Mum / Dad] faced it with [courage / humour / quiet strength].
- 8
Goodbye
[Mum / Dad], thank you for [the biggest thing they gave you].
We will look after each other, the way you taught us.
[A favourite phrase of theirs, a short blessing, or simply: "We love you. Rest now."]
How to use this template
Speaking at a parent's funeral is one of the hardest things anyone is asked to do, and many people only manage it because the words are in front of them. This template is written for a son or daughter. It starts with who your mother or father was before you were born, moves to what home felt like and the things they taught you, makes room for grandchildren and friends, and ends with a personal goodbye. Siblings can share it: each person takes one or two cards. Replace the brackets with names, details and the words your family actually used, such as Mum, Mom, Mam, Ma, Dad, Papa or a nickname.
Tips
- Agree with your siblings or other parent on the stories and any details about illness before the day, so no one is surprised.
- Print in at least 18-point type so you can read through tears and in a dim church, chapel or hall.
- Give a full copy to a partner, cousin or the celebrant, and tell them it is fine to step in and finish for you.
- Write one breath mark (a slash or the word pause) after the lines that are most likely to catch in your throat.
- Keep a glass of water and a tissue within reach, and do not apologise if you need a moment.
Make it fit
- For a step-parent, foster parent or the person who raised you, change the opening card to explain the relationship in your own words.
- For a Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or secular service, check with the officiant about length and whether a eulogy goes before or after the main rites.
- If several siblings will speak, give each one a card or two and finish together on the goodbye card.
- For a short slot, keep the opening, what they taught us and goodbye, and fold one story into the middle card.
Updated October 28, 2026