How to Write a Eulogy for Your Boss - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for your boss can feel awkward and heavy and important all at once. You want to honor someone who had authority in your life and who also mattered as a person. This guide walks you through who to check with, what to say, what to leave out, and gives real examples and fill in the blank templates you can adapt. We explain workplace terms you might see and include delivery tips for speaking at a formal service or a casual company gathering.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a boss at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or at a company remembrance event. You might be a direct report, a peer, a former employee, or a member of leadership. Maybe you loved your boss, maybe the relationship was complicated, or maybe you were proud of your team and want to represent them. We have scripts for formal corporate services, small team memorials, remote teams, and short moments during a company meeting.

What a eulogy for your boss is

A eulogy is a personal speech that honors someone who has died. A eulogy for a boss is similar to a regular eulogy but it often mixes professional accomplishments with personal memory. It is not the same as an obituary or a press release. An obituary is a written announcement with basic facts and service details. A eulogy tells a story and shares what the person meant to you and to others in the workplace.

Terms you might see

• HR Human Resources. The company team that handles employee matters including bereavement, communications, and event logistics.
• Officiant The person conducting the funeral or memorial. This could be a religious leader or a non religious celebrant.
• Order of service The schedule for the event that lists speakers and music in the sequence it will happen. It helps keep things organized.
• Obituary A written notice announcing the death and usually including where and when a service will take place.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that often focuses on stories and photos rather than ritual.
• Memorial fund A fund set up in someone's memory often for charity or a scholarship. It is not required but commonly offered as an alternative to flowers.
• Livestream Broadcasting the service online so remote colleagues or clients can watch. If it is planned check permissions first.

How long should a eulogy for your boss be

Short and intentional is best. Aim for two to five minutes. That is usually about 250 to 600 spoken words. In a formal corporate setting shorter may be better so the program stays on schedule. For a small team memorial you can go a bit longer if people expect personal stories.

Before you start writing

• Check with the family and HR Confirm that a company representative speaking is appropriate and ask what tone feels right. The family may prefer private moments only.
• Ask about timing Confirm how long you may speak and where your remarks fit into the order of service.
• Decide who the audience is Is this mostly executives, a team of direct reports, clients, or a mixed crowd? Tailor the language accordingly.
• Gather material Collect one or two stories from colleagues, old emails that show personality, and any favorite sayings or routines your boss had.
• Get approvals Some companies will ask to review remarks in advance. That is okay. It helps protect confidentiality and respects the family.

Choosing the tone

Pick a tone that fits the person and the company culture. Common options include:

• Formal and respectful Good for senior leaders, public events, or when the family asks for a traditional service.
• Warm and professional Works for most office settings. Mix of career highlights and personal stories without oversharing.
• Casual and personal Great for small teams or startups that had a more informal relationship with the boss.
• Celebratory When the family requests a focus on joyful memories and the person liked to keep things light.

Structure that works

A simple structure keeps your remarks clear. Use this shape as a skeleton.

• Opening Say your name, your role, and your relationship to the boss. One sentence sets the context.
• Work life sketch Give a short overview of their role and what they did for the company in plain language.
• Personal anecdotes Tell one or two short, specific stories that show character. Prefer stories that other colleagues can relate to.
• Values and impact Summarize how they led, what they taught, and what people will remember.
• Closing Offer a simple goodbye line or an invitation for the audience to reflect, then thank people for being there.

Writing the opening

Start simple. Introduce yourself and say why you are speaking. This buys you a breath and gives the audience context.

Opening examples you can adapt

• Hello everyone. I am Jenna, operations manager and I had the privilege of reporting to Alex for five years.
• Good afternoon. I am Ravi from product. I worked with Maya from the early days of our startup and I want to say a few words about how she led with curiosity.
• Hi. I am Marcus, a former direct report. I am honored to speak on behalf of the engineering team about the way Tom showed up for us.

How to write the work life sketch

Do not read a resume. Pick the details that matter for your story. Mention job title and tenure only as needed. Focus on roles they played and the effect on people.

Quick templates

• [Name] joined [Company] in [year] and served as [role]. They were known for [one or two key qualities].
• [Name] started this company from a tiny apartment and built a team that cared about [value].

Anecdotes that matter at work

Work stories stick when they show leadership style or personality. Pick moments with a clear beginning, action, and result.

Good examples

• During a product launch, servers were failing and we were panicking. [Name] walked into the room, made coffee for everyone, and said we would solve it together. That calm set the tone and we shipped on schedule.
• She insisted on walking new hires to the coffee machine and learning one non work thing about them. It was a small habit that told us she cared about people first.
• He used to send a weekly email with one sentence of encouragement. Some weeks it was a joke, some weeks it was an honest question. Those emails made us laugh and kept us connected through hard sprints.

Addressing complicated relationships

Not every boss is beloved. If your relationship was mixed, you can still be honest and respectful. Focus on professional lessons and any small reconciliations. Avoid airing grievances or rehashing personnel disputes in public.

Examples for tricky dynamics

• We did not always agree. We pushed hard and there were tense moments. I learned a lot from those conversations about standing up for what I believed in.
• He could be demanding. He also taught me how to deliver quality work under pressure. That skill has shaped my career.

Using humor carefully

Humor can humanize your remarks but be selective. Avoid jokes that single out or embarrass others. If you mention a light moment, make sure the family and HR are comfortable with it.

Safe humor examples

• She ran our meetings with a stopwatch. We called her the keeper of time. She once timed a brainstorm and declared it a success even though no one could remember what we decided.
• He loved office plants. When a ficus died he organized a condolence card for the plant. We all signed it and learned not to overwater.

What to avoid in a workplace eulogy

• Do not share confidential company details or personnel matters.
• Do not use the speech to settle scores or air complaints.
• Avoid lengthy lists of accomplishments without a human story attached. Achievements are meaningful but they land better with context.
• Do not promise things on behalf of the company if you are not authorized.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples in different tones. Replace bracketed names and details with your own.

Example 1: Formal corporate tribute, 3 to 4 minute version

Good morning. I am Lisa Chen, Chief Operating Officer. I am honored to say a few words about our colleague and friend, Robert Hayes.

Robert joined Central Analytics twelve years ago and served as our Head of Strategy. He built a team that took on the company s most complex problems and he expected us to both think deeply and act with integrity. Those expectations made us better professionals and better humans.

One moment that captures Robert s leadership was during the merger two years ago. We were under pressure and the room felt heavy. Robert called a short break, handed out bottled water, and said I will listen to proposals for twenty minutes and then we will decide. He created space for every voice and that decision to slow down changed the course of the deal for the better.

He also collected postcards from every country he visited and pinned them on a world map in his office. Those small mementos reminded us that his curiosity extended beyond spreadsheets. He cared about the story behind the data.

We will miss his steady questions and his habit of starting meetings by asking how people were doing. His legacy is the team he mentored and the culture of thoughtful work he helped build. On behalf of the company, thank you for everything, Robert.

Example 2: Short, modern, for a small team

Hi everyone. I am Daniel, product lead. Maya was our founder and she taught us to make work that mattered. She would show up at 7 a.m. with mismatched socks and a new idea. Once she convinced us to build a feature because she had a hunch and that feature became one of our most loved tools.

She made space for mistakes and for trying weird things. She would say keep testing and keep your heart in it. That felt like permission. We will miss her messy desk, her terrible puns, and the way she always sent snacks when deadlines loomed. Thanks for everything, Maya.

Example 3: For remote teams and livestreamed memorials

Hello. My name is Priya and I am a senior engineer. I never worked physically in Raj s office, but he made the effort to know me by my dog s name and to ask about my weekend. He hosted virtual coffee hours and learned to be funny on camera. That made remote work feel a little more human.

One story that stands out is the time the production database started failing while we were in different time zones. Raj stayed up with the team for eight hours, sending updates and memes to keep spirits up. His technical curiosity and his willingness to sit with a problem until it was solved defined his leadership. We will miss him and we will try to keep his humor in our Slack threads.

Example 4: Complicated relationship, honest and respectful

My name is Omar and I worked with Gary for seven years. Gary was a tough leader. He pushed hard and sometimes that was uncomfortable. I learned to present tighter, to defend my work, and to stand by a strategy when I believed in it. Those lessons were not always easy. They were valuable.

In the last year Gary softened in ways many of us noticed. He started bringing homemade food to meetings and he apologized when a conversation got heated. Those small changes mattered. I am grateful for the mentorship and for the moments of grace. Thank you, Gary.

Fill in the blank templates

Fill in the blanks and then edit until it sounds like you. Read it out loud and trim anything that feels forced.

Template A: Formal company representative

My name is [Your Name] and I am [position]. [Name] joined [Company] in [year] and served as [role]. They were known for [quality 1] and [quality 2]. One memory that shows who they were is [brief story]. Their leadership taught us [lesson]. On behalf of the company I want to thank their family for sharing them with us and to say we will honor their legacy by [short plan or sentiment].

Template B: Direct report, short and personal

Hello. I am [Your Name] and I worked directly with [Name] for [time]. They had a habit of [quirky habit]. My favorite memory is [brief story]. They taught me [professional or personal lesson]. I will miss [what you will miss]. Thank you for being here.

Template C: For remote or hybrid teams

Hi. I am [Your Name]. Even though we worked apart, [Name] made sure distance did not mean distance in care. They [virtual habit]. One time when [short story] shows how they connected across time zones. We will miss their presence in chat and the way they made remote feel human.

Delivery tips that actually work

• Write to speak Use short sentences and conversational language. If it sounds awkward aloud, rewrite it.
• Practice out loud Read the eulogy at least three times. Practice gives your throat and breath a sense of the words.
• Bring a printed copy Use large font and a backup copy. Phones can slip and battery issues happen.
• Use cue cards Small index cards with one point per card keep you from getting lost.
• Mark emotional beats Put a bracket where you want to pause or breathe. Those pauses help with composure and give space for the room to react.
• Mic technique Keep the microphone a few inches from your mouth and speak slowly. If there is no mic, project at a steady volume and keep your pace measured.
• Plan for tears If you get choked up, pause, take a sip of water, and continue. The audience will support you. Have a friend ready to step in to finish a line if needed.

Logistics to handle with HR or family

• Coordinate with HR about company announcements and whether you should reference company policy or memorial funds during your remarks.
• Confirm whether the family wants the event livestreamed and whether colleagues may speak or should limit remarks to a company representative.
• Ask if the family prefers donations to a charity in lieu of flowers and how that information will be shared.
• Find out who is handling the order of service and whether they need a copy of your remarks in advance.

After the eulogy

People may ask for a copy. Offer to share the text privately with colleagues who request it. If the family approves, the company may include the remarks in an internal memorial page or in a memory book. If you recorded the speech offer it to HR first before posting anything publicly.

Checklist before you step up to speak

• Confirm time limit and audience with HR or the family.
• Print your speech and bring a backup copy.
• Practice the opening line until it feels steady.
• Mark pauses and emotional beats in your copy.
• Ask a colleague to be a signal partner if you need help finishing.
• Confirm any approvals required by the company.

Glossary of workplace terms and acronyms

• CEO Chief Executive Officer. The highest ranking executive at a company responsible for overall strategy and vision.
• COO Chief Operating Officer. The executive who oversees day to day operations.
• VP Vice President. A senior role that typically oversees a function like engineering, sales, or marketing.
• HR Human Resources. The department that handles employee relations, benefits, and policies.
• Order of service The plan for the event listing speakers and elements in sequence.
• Obituary A written notice announcing a death, often published with funeral details.
• Memorial fund A pool for donations in memory of the deceased, sometimes designated to a charity or to help family expenses.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Begin with your name and your relationship to the boss. A short opening sentence like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I reported to [Name] gives context and buys you a breath. Practice that line until it feels familiar. It helps steady you when you start speaking.

What if I forget my place or start crying

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment take it. People will wait. If you cannot continue have a designated colleague ready to finish the final line. Cue cards with one idea each make it easy to pick up where you left off.

Should I mention the company s plans or announcements during the eulogy

Only if authorized. Public statements about company policy or future plans should come from HR or senior leadership. A personal eulogy should focus on memories, values, and the person s impact.

Can I use humor when talking about my boss

Yes but be cautious. Keep humor warm and never at someone else s expense. Avoid jokes that touch on HR issues, layoffs, or sensitive topics. Test jokes with HR or a trusted colleague if you are unsure.

Do I need to clear my remarks with HR

Many companies ask to review remarks to ensure confidentiality and respect for the family. Check first. It is common and usually nothing to worry about.

How do I include achievements without sounding like a resume reading

Pair achievements with a short story that illustrates why the achievement mattered. For example, instead of listing awards tell a two sentence story about how a particular project changed team morale or saved a client s business.

Is it appropriate to mention company struggles or controversies

Avoid rehashing controversies or assigning blame in a eulogy. If the story is relevant and respectful focus on lessons learned or how the person handled challenges with dignity rather than on the controversy itself.

Should I read the eulogy from a phone

Phones work but can be awkward during emotional moments. Print a large font copy and keep your phone as a backup. If you use a phone turn on do not disturb and increase the text size.