How to Write a Eulogy for Your Board Member - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for a board member can feel different from writing for a family member. At work the balance between professionalism and human warmth matters. You want to honor the person, reflect on their contributions to the organization, and give colleagues and stakeholders something honest and steady to hold onto. This guide walks you through how to plan, write, and deliver a eulogy for a board member. It includes sample scripts you can adapt, templates, practical delivery tips, and explanations of common terms you might see.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone who has been asked to speak about a board member at a memorial service, a board meeting, a company gathering, or a public event. Maybe you are the chair, the CEO, a fellow director, or a close colleague. Maybe you loved this person and were also involved in tough conversations with them. There are examples for formal corporate tones, warm nonprofit tones, short remarks for a meeting, and ways to handle complicated relationships with honesty and respect.

What is a eulogy for a board member

A eulogy is a speech that honors someone who has died. When the person served on a board the speech typically highlights their leadership, the decisions they influenced, the culture they shaped, and the human qualities people will miss. A board member eulogy is not a list of minutes from meetings. It is a story about impact, values, and the person behind the title.

Terms and acronyms you might see

• Board of directors The group of people elected or appointed to guide an organization s strategy and governance.
• Chair The person who leads the board meetings and often serves as the public face of the board.
• CEO Chief executive officer. The person responsible for day to day management of the organization.
• CFO Chief financial officer. The person who oversees financial matters.
• Order of service The schedule for a memorial event listing sequence of speakers, music, and readings.
• Obituary A written public notice that gives basic facts about the person and usually includes service details.
• Corporate communications The team that manages internal and external messaging for your organization.

How long should a eulogy for a board member be

Keep it short and meaningful. Aim for three to seven minutes if you are a primary speaker. If you are speaking at a board meeting keep it under three minutes so the meeting can proceed. If the event is a public memorial you can aim for four to eight minutes. Short focused remarks tend to land with more authority than long unfocused speeches.

Before you start writing

Do a quick check list before you open a blank document.

• Confirm the expectations Talk to the chair, the family if appropriate, and corporate communications about tone and length.
• Ask about public statements Check whether a press release or obituary has already been prepared so you avoid repeating sensitive details before family are notified.
• Gather stories Collect one to three specific memories from colleagues, staff, and other board members that show character and impact.
• Decide the tone Formal corporate, warm and personal, or somewhere in the middle. Match the organization and the deceased s personality.
• Think about approvals If you will reference ongoing projects or confidential matters ask whether those details are appropriate to share publicly.

Structure that works

A clear structure helps listeners follow and helps you stay calm. Use this shape.

• Opening State who you are and your relationship to the board member. A simple line grounds the audience.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of the person s role and service. Mention years of service and major responsibilities only if they add to the story.
• Anecdotes Share one or two short stories that reveal character and contribution. Specificity beats general praise.
• Impact and values Summarize how they shaped the board, the organization, or the people around them.
• Closing Offer a short goodbye line, a call to action such as continuing a legacy fund, or a moment of silence.

Writing the opening

The opening is a small piece that does heavy lifting. Say your name and your connection to the person. Then give one sentence that sets the tone.

Opening examples

• Good morning. I am Priya Patel and I have served on the board alongside Daniel for five years.
• Hello. I am Marcus, the CEO. I had the privilege of working with Linda for a decade.
• Hi everyone. I am Joanne, board chair. Michael brought a clear eye and a kind heart to every meeting.

How to write the life sketch

Be concise. Mention the roles that matter and the projects he or she was known for. Skip the full resume unless the event is meant to highlight career achievements. Focus on what the person meant to the organization and to people.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] joined our board in [year] and served as [role if applicable]. They championed [initiative] and supported [project or team].
• [Name] had a background in [field]. At our organization they were known for [trait or habit] and for making decisions that balanced vision and care for people.

Anecdotes that matter

Stories are the heart of a eulogy. For a board member choose anecdotes that show leadership, humility, humor, or mentorship. Keep them short and include a clear line about why the story matters.

Good anecdote examples

• At a critical board retreat he stayed late with junior staff to map out a new donor strategy. He did not claim credit. He wanted us to understand the plan from the bottom up.
• She had a habit of bringing homemade cookies to meetings. They were a small gesture. They also meant she believed meetings should be human as well as strategic.
• Once we were stuck on a difficult decision. He sat quietly, then asked a single question that made the path forward obvious. That was his leadership style. He asked the right questions and trusted the people around him.

Addressing conflicts and sensitive topics

Boards do not always get along. If the relationship was complicated you can still be honest and respectful. Avoid rehashing politics. Focus on lessons, growth, and what you learned even from disagreement.

Examples for sensitive realities

• We did not always agree with Maria. She pushed hard and she expected accountability. Even in disagreement she taught us how to argue with care for the mission.
• There were hard decisions and mistakes. He owned them, he learned from them, and he invited the rest of us to learn with him. That humility mattered.

Formal corporate example

Use a formal tone if the event is public or involves media. Keep personal anecdotes relevant and respectful. Avoid revealing confidential information. End with guidance on how the organization will honor the person.

Formal example

Hello. I am Claire Tan, chair of the board. On behalf of the board I want to thank you for joining us to remember Robert. Robert joined our board in 2010 and served as a steady voice through growth and change. He led our audit committee for seven years and guided the financial strategy that allowed us to expand our services.

Beyond his professional expertise Robert was the kind of person who noticed the details others missed. He would arrive early to meetings to greet new staff and he requested that every intern be invited to speak during strategic sessions. One of my favorite memories is the time he stayed after a long meeting to coach a young manager on how to explain a complex number to a donor. That patience and kindness defined him.

We will honor Robert s legacy with a scholarship in his name to support early career professionals in our field. We invite you to share memories with the board office and to join us in carrying forward the values he embodied. Thank you.

Warm nonprofit example

Nonprofit boards often permit a more personal tone. You can connect mission and memory more directly. Mention the person s volunteer spirit and how they supported staff and beneficiaries.

Nonprofit example

Hi, I am José Alvarez and I served with Rachel on our board for six years. Rachel believed in listening first. She taught us that the people we serve should shape our decisions not just our reports. At our last home visit she sat quietly and then asked a mother one question that changed our program design. That moment captures Rachel s care and curiosity.

We will miss her wisdom and her laugh. We plan to gather stories and photos for a memory book for her family. Please send yours to our office. Thank you for honoring Rachel with us today.

Short remarks for a board meeting

Sometimes you only have a minute or two during a regular board meeting. Keep it tight.

Short example

I am Mark, a fellow director. I want to take a moment for Janet who passed this week. Janet brought clarity and kindness to every discussion. Her counsel helped us navigate challenging choices and her laughter reminded us why this work matters. We will miss her and we will honor her by continuing the work she cared about.

Examples for founders and long serving members

When the deceased was a founder or a long serving board member include founding stories and how the organization has been shaped by their vision. Pair archival facts with a human moment.

Founder example

I am Aisha, CEO. When our organization started ten years ago Sam opened his garage and trusted a small staff with a big idea. He wrote the first grant, cooked the first meal, and insisted we hire community members first. His leadership was both humble and fierce. We will remember him in the policies he inspired and in the lives he helped change.

Fill in the blank templates you can use

Pick a template and adapt it to sound like you. Read it out loud and cut anything that feels forced.

Template A Classic formal

My name is [Your Name] and I serve as [role]. [Board member s name] served on our board from [year] to [year]. They led [committee or initiative] and were known for [trait]. One memory that captures who they were is [short story]. We will honor them by [memorial action]. Thank you.

Template B Warm nonprofit

Hello I am [Your Name]. I had the honor of serving with [Name] for [years]. [Name] believed in [value]. A moment I will always carry is [brief anecdote]. That memory shows how they lived the mission. Please join us in [action] to remember them.

Template C Short meeting remark

I am [Your Name]. I want to recognize [Name]. They modeled [trait]. We will miss them. Thank you.

Delivery tips for corporate and nonprofit settings

• Coordinate with communications Let your corporate communications team advise on public statements. Align internal and external messaging to avoid surprises.
• Check with family If appropriate contact the family to confirm details and to see if they want anything excluded.
• Keep confidentiality Avoid discussing private or proprietary matters in a public speech.
• Use a printed copy Print your speech in large font. If you will read from a screen test it first so it will not time out or ring.
• Practice with a colleague Run your remarks by a trusted board member to check tone and length.
• Be ready for emotion It is okay to pause and breathe. If you need a moment ask a colleague to step in to finish a line.
• Mic technique If there is a microphone keep it a few inches from your mouth and speak clearly. If no mic speak slowly and aim your voice to the back of the room.

Logistics and approvals

• Confirm who is coordinating the event and share your remarks in advance if requested.
• Ask whether the family wants a public memorial or a private ceremony.
• Coordinate timings so the service can include other speakers and any moments of silence.
• Check whether the organization will collect donations in memory and how those will be managed.

After the eulogy

People will ask for a copy of your remarks. Offer to email it to colleagues and the family if appropriate. The organization may want to include the text in an internal memo, in a memory book, or on a web page. If there is a scholarship or memorial fund explain how people can contribute and provide clear instructions.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Board of directors The group responsible for governance and oversight of an organization.
• Chair The person who leads the board and often coordinates with executive leadership.
• CEO Chief executive officer. The leader responsible for daily operations.
• CFO Chief financial officer. The leader responsible for financial oversight.
• Order of service The sequence of events for a memorial or funeral.
• Obituary A written announcement of a death that often includes service information and biographical facts.
• Corporate communications The team that prepares official messaging for staff, donors, media, and the public.
• Memorial fund A dedicated fund set up to honor someone s legacy often used for scholarships, grants, or program support.

Frequently asked questions

How formal should a eulogy for a board member be

Match the tone to the organization and to what the family wants. For public events keep a formal, respectful tone. For internal gatherings a warmer and more personal approach is often appropriate. Always check with corporate communications and family when possible.

Can I mention board controversies or disagreements

It is best to avoid detailed discussion of disputes. If disagreement matters to the story you can acknowledge complexity in a way that focuses on learning and growth rather than blame. The goal is to honor the person s humanity while maintaining professional discretion.

What if I am not good at public speaking

Write short clear sentences and practice out loud. Use index cards or a printed copy with pauses marked. Ask a colleague to stand by in case you need a moment. Remember that sincerity matters more than performance.

Should I reference the person s family during a public company memorial

Yes express condolences to the family and offer information on memorial arrangements if approved by the family. Keep personal family details to what has been publicly agreed to avoid breaching privacy.

Can I use humor in a eulogy for a board member

Small, earned humor that reflects the person s real character can be welcome. Avoid jokes that could embarrass or divide listeners. Tie humor to a meaningful anecdote so it feels sincere.

Who should approve the eulogy text

At minimum coordinate with the chair or CEO and with corporate communications. If you will include family information contact the family or their representative for approval. Some organizations have policies about public statements so check with the legal team if needed.