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Written by Emily Cross.
17 minute read
Writing a eulogy can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re grieving, but it’s also a chance to honour a life in your own words. It is one of the most meaningful tasks on a funeral arrangements checklist, so it makes sense it would feel a bit daunting. If you’ve found yourself here, it’s likely that someone who meant a lot to you has died. Now, you’re searching for words to celebrate who they were in life, and that’s a tender and important thing to do.
In this guide, you’ll find simple, thoughtful examples of eulogies written for different relationships: parents, siblings, friends, partners and more. They’re here to show you what’s possible when you speak from the heart.
You don’t need to be a writer, and you don’t need to aim for perfection; you just need to share what feels true. With a bit of gentle structure, some real-life examples, and a little support along the way, we’ll help you find the words that feel right for you and for the person you’ve lost.
Key takeaways:
A eulogy is a speech given at a funeral or memorial service to honour someone who’s died. It is often one of the most emotional and moving parts of what happens at a funeral, as it’s a moment where grief, love, and memory come together in words. It’s a chance to reflect on their life, and share what they meant to others.
You might be picturing a long, tearful speech at a lectern, but eulogies don’t have to be formal or poetic. They can be funny, simple, heartfelt or even a bit chaotic at times, much like life itself. The tradition of giving a eulogy dates back thousands of years. Rooted in ancient customs and evolving through religious, cultural and societal changes, the eulogy has always served one clear purpose: to remember and honour people who have died.
The word eulogy comes from the Greek eulogia, meaning “praise” or “blessing.” In ancient Greece, eulogies were often delivered at public funerals for fallen soldiers. These speeches celebrated bravery, honour, and loyalty to the city-state and served as a way to inspire the living as much as to remember the dead.
One of the most famous early eulogies is Pericles’ Funeral Oration, delivered in Athens during the Peloponnesian War (431 BC). Rather than focusing solely on individuals, Pericles used the occasion to reflect on shared values, the strength of the city, and the honour of sacrifice. It remains a foundational example of the eulogy’s power to unite a grieving audience.
In ancient Rome, it was common for family members, (usually sons) to deliver funeral speeches that praised the virtues of a person who has died and reinforced their family’s legacy.
With the rise of Christianity and due to beliefs on death and funerals in religion, funeral orations became more theological. The eulogy became a sermon, blending personal remembrance with ideas of eternal life, salvation, and moral reflection. During the Middle Ages, these were often delivered by clergy and focused more on the soul than the person’s earthly life.
Over time, eulogies became more personal and less tied to religious doctrine, due to the decline of religion in the UK. Especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the increase in more family-led and non-religious funerals, eulogies shifted toward storytelling, memories, and emotion.
Today, anyone can give a eulogy: a son, a friend, a neighbour, even a funeral celebrant who never met the person. And the content itself can vary widely. Some are poetic, others informal; some structured, others off the cuff.
There’s no set ‘correct’ way to write a eulogy, but these are the most common types people tend to draw from:
Before you begin writing, it can help to pause and ask yourself a few quiet questions. What would they have wanted? Something light and full of laughter, or more reflective and calm? How did they live their life, and what moments best capture who they were? And just as importantly, what are you comfortable saying aloud? Let the answers to those questions guide the tone and shape of what you write.
Eulogy examples for different relationships
Sometimes seeing how others have put their feelings into words can make it easier to find your own. Whether you’re trying to find words while coping with the death of a parent, friend, or supporting someone else through their grief, it can feel hard to know what to say or how to start. Below, you’ll find a range of real eulogy examples, each one written to reflect different relationships, personalities, and ways of saying goodbye.
“My mum wasn’t loud. She wasn’t flashy. But she was the strongest person I’ve ever known. She raised three of us almost single-handedly after Dad passed, and somehow still managed to make packed lunches every morning, show up to every school play, and remember everyone’s birthdays.
She taught me what it meant to be kind …not just in the obvious ways, but in the quiet ones. Like the way she’d always check in on our elderly neighbour, or how she never let anyone eat alone at Christmas. Mum wasn’t interested in praise, but she deserved every bit of it.
What I’ll miss most is her laugh. It wasn’t loud, but it filled a room. And when things felt tough — when the world felt too heavy — she had this way of making you believe it was all going to be okay. I hope I can pass that feeling on, the way she did.”
“I used to joke that my big brother Dan was part mountain goat. No tree too tall, no hill too steep. From the time we were little, he dragged me on every adventure, whether I wanted to go or not.
He was impulsive, funny, frustrating, and fiercely loyal. He teased me endlessly, but if anyone else did, he’d defend me in a heartbeat.
What I didn’t say enough was how much I looked up to him. Not just because he was older, but because he was brave in ways I wasn’t. He chased his dreams, made people laugh when they were at their lowest, and loved without holding back. I’ll carry his spirit with me always, probably still trying to keep up.“
“When I think of Gran, I picture her kitchen. The kettle always just boiled, the biscuit tin never empty, and the stories flowing like they’d only just happened yesterday.
She was the matriarch of our family–gentle, funny, and sharp as anything. She remembered every birthday, every favourite snack, every tiny thing that mattered to each of us.
Her love didn’t shout, it showed up. In hand-knitted scarves. In Sunday roasts. In that raised eyebrow when you tried to sneak seconds before dinner. We were lucky to grow up with her stories and her warmth. She made our family what it is, and we’ll carry her with us, always.”
“If you knew Sophie, you knew she was a walking contradiction: the most organised person you’d ever meet, and also the most likely to leave her phone in the fridge.
She was my best friend for fifteen years. We met at uni, bonded over cheap wine and bad reality TV, and somehow never stopped talking after that first night. She had a way of making you feel like the most important person in the room. She remembered what you said, even the small things, and always followed up with care.
Life feels a bit quieter without her texts, her jokes, her advice. But she taught me how to be a better friend — and that’s something I’ll never stop trying to live up to.”
“There aren’t enough words. But I’ll try.
Alex was my partner, my love, and my best friend. We met in the most ordinary way, at a mutual friend’s barbecue, but what we had was anything but ordinary.
We built a life together full of music, weekend walks, late-night chats and shared dreams. He supported me through every wobble, and celebrated every small win like it was a world cup final. He was kind, so very kind, and he made me laugh when I didn’t think I could.
What I’ll remember most is how deeply we loved each other; how safe, how real, how lucky we were. I’ll carry that love with me every day, even now.”
“Isla was only eight, but in those eight years she taught us how to slow down and notice everything: the way bees land on flowers, the sound the dog’s paws made on the kitchen floor. She laughed with her whole face. She loved fiercely, and she made ordinary days feel like treasure hunts. We miss her more than words can say, but we carry her in everything colourful, everything kind, everything curious.”
Not everyone wants or needs to give a long speech. Perhaps the eulogy is to be read at a more informal or shorter gathering like a memorial, intimate funeral, or an end of life celebration. Or maybe you feel that a few carefully chosen words are all it takes to honour someone’s memory. Whether you’re feeling nervous, mindful of time, or just prefer to keep things simple, short eulogies can still offer warmth, meaning and comfort.
“Today, we honour the life of Margaret Lewis, who was a devoted mother, a caring friend, and a true example of quiet strength. Her dedication to her family, her unwavering patience, and her deep sense of right and wrong shaped everyone around her. Though she never asked for recognition, her impact will be felt for generations. May we remember her with love, and live our lives a little kinder in her memory.”
“David’s faith guided him every step of the way. He was a man of integrity, compassion, and grace — who loved deeply and lived with purpose. As Psalm 23 reminds us, ‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.’ David feared nothing, because his heart was full of trust. May his soul find peace in the presence of the Lord, and may we find comfort in the light he left behind.”
“If there’s a heaven, Dave’s probably already cracked open a beer and is holding court, telling stories with that grin of his. He wasn’t perfect — far from it — but he was real. Honest, hilarious, dependable. He didn’t take life too seriously, and he wouldn’t want us to either. Let’s remember him by laughing when we can, helping when we should, and always showing up for the people we love.”
In recent years, more people have chosen to record eulogies, whether for livestreamed funerals, video tributes, or services they can’t attend in person. It might feel unusual to speak directly at a camera at first, but your message can still be just as heartwarming and much appreciated. Write out your thoughts, find a quiet space, and speak naturally, as if talking to a friend. Keep it simple and sincere; it doesn’t need to be perfect, just real.
If you’re contributing to a digital memorial or virtual funeral:
If you’d like to have some say in how you’re remembered or even write your own eulogy, you can include it in your advance care plan or prepaid funeral plan. Some people find comfort in knowing their send-off will reflect who they truly are: their values, humour, faith, or stories they want shared. Whether you’d like to write something in full, leave a few notes, or simply guide the tone of what’s said, that choice can be made ahead of time. Though talking about death and dying isn’t something we do all too often in our society, It’s not morbid — it’s thoughtful. Including these wishes in your plan can ease pressure on loved ones later and ensure your voice is part of the goodbye.
Famous eulogies remind us that the most powerful tributes aren’t always polished. They’re honest, personal, and speak directly from the heart.
You might not be the one writing the eulogy, but someone close to you is, and they’re finding it hard to begin. Being there for them can be just as meaningful as delivering the words yourself. Even small gestures, like sitting with them while they write or helping them talk through memories, can ease the pressure of the task. Offer to write things down as they speak, read over what they’ve written without taking control, and gently encourage them to speak in their own voice. If they’re nervous about reading it aloud, practise with them– not to perfect it, but to help them feel more at ease.
You can use this as a guide to help you shape your thoughts if you’re feeling a little stuck. Simply copy and paste into a document and let words flow freely and without expectations. You may want to adjust the order or wording to make it feel right for you.
We hope that this article presenting some examples of eulogies has been helpful to you. If you’re thinking about planning ahead and you’re comparing funeral plans, consider that Aura offers simple, thoughtful options that can help to ease the pressure of decision-making. Our direct cremations and prepaid funeral plans give you the freedom to shape a farewell that feels personal, with the option to include your own wishes, stories, or even your eulogy. And if you ever need support, our dedicated team of funeral planning experts, the Aura Angels, are here to guide you with kindness, clarity and care. Speak to us today if you’d like to take the next step or simply ask a few questions, we’re here when you’re ready.
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