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.
Speech6 cardsAbout 2 min to speakBeginnerFamily
Short tribute or reading introduction (2 minutes)
For when you have only two minutes at a funeral or memorial: a brief tribute, or a short introduction before reading a poem, prayer or passage chosen for the family.
Free to use, edit, print and study. No account needed: your set stays on this device.
The cards
- 1
Who I am
I'm [your name], [their niece / neighbour / former student / teammate].
I've been asked to say a few words [before the reading / on behalf of ...].
- 2
One thing about them
The thing I'll always remember about [first name] is [one specific detail: how they greeted you, a kindness, a skill].
[One sentence that shows it, e.g. "Every winter, she cleared my path before her own."]
- 3
What they meant to us
To [the street / the choir / our class / the team], [first name] was [a short phrase: the one who noticed, a steady hand, the first to help].
We are grateful we knew them.
- 4
Why this reading
The family chose [title of the poem, prayer, song lyric title or passage reference] because [it was read at their wedding / they kept it by their bed / it speaks of the sea they loved].
Short pause, then read from the printed text.
- 5
The reading
[Place the printed reading here or on the next card in large type. If it is a published poem or a Bible passage, print it from the family's chosen book or service sheet.]
Read slowly. Pause at every line break.
- 6
Close
Thank you, [first name]. [We will remember you / Rest in peace / Go well.]
Wait a breath, then return to your seat.
How to use this template
Not everyone is asked to give a full eulogy. Often a funeral or memorial has several short contributions: a two-minute tribute from a neighbour or team, or a few words before a reading chosen by the family. This template is built for that slot. It introduces you, gives one specific memory of the person, explains why the reading was chosen, leaves space for the reading itself, and closes simply. Two minutes is about 250 to 300 spoken words including the reading, so every card counts. If you are giving a short tribute without a reading, skip the two reading cards and add one more sentence to the memory card instead. A short tribute is not a lesser one: when time is tight, the clearest, most personal sentence is often what the family remembers and repeats afterwards.
Tips
- Ask the family or celebrant exactly how long you have and whether the reading is printed in the order of service.
- Choose one memory, not three. One clear picture of the person stays with people longer than a list.
- Print the reading in very large type on its own card, with line breaks exactly where you want to pause.
- Read the reading aloud several times at home; poems and older passages often have words that trip the tongue.
- Arrive early and check where to stand, whether there is a microphone, and who speaks before and after you.
- If you feel tearful, look at the printed words rather than at the family for a moment; it is easier to keep your voice steady that way.
Make it fit
- For a Christian service, the reading card can hold a passage reference such as a Psalm the family chose, printed from their own Bible or service sheet.
- For a Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Sikh service, ask the faith leader which readings or prayers are appropriate and who should read them.
- For a secular service, a short poem, a letter, song words the family has rights to print, or a passage from a favourite book works well.
- If you are reading on behalf of someone who cannot attend, say so on the first card and read their words in the first person.
- For a graveside or outdoor committal, where wind and traffic make it hard to hear, cut the tribute to the two essential cards and speak more slowly and loudly than feels natural.
Updated October 28, 2026