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

Writing a eulogy for your Dada is one of those heavy and necessary tasks that shows up when you least feel ready. You want to honor him, tell honest stories, and get through the moment without feeling like you failed him or yourself. This guide gives you a simple framework, real examples you can adapt, templates to fill in, and practical delivery tips that actually work. We explain any terms you might not know and give options for every tone from quiet and tender to funny and celebratory.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone tasked with speaking about their dad at a funeral, memorial, graveside gathering, or celebration of life. Maybe you were the obvious pick because you were the one who lived nearby. Maybe you were chosen because you can speak without turning it into a therapy session. Maybe your relationship was complicated. That is okay. There are sample scripts and templates for short needs, messy relationships, and more light hearted tributes.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who has died. It is a personal story not a list of dates. It differs from an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that shares basic facts like birth date, survivors, and where the service will be held. A eulogy is your chance to share memory, voice, and meaning.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A notice that announces a death and usually includes biographical details and service information.
• Order of service The schedule for the funeral or memorial that lists readings, music, and speakers.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to carry the casket. They are usually family or close friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and memories rather than ritual.
• Hospice Care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end. Hospice can be at home or in a facility.
• RSVP Short for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which asks people to confirm attendance.

How long should a eulogy for your Dada be

Short and clear usually reads better. Aim for three to seven minutes which is roughly 400 to 800 spoken words. If you are nervous, a short heartfelt tribute can be more powerful than something long and rambling. If multiple people are speaking, check with your family or the officiant about time so the service can keep to its schedule.

Before you start writing

Preparation matters more than perfection. Use this quick plan to get focused.

• Confirm time and tone Ask the family or officiant how long you should speak and the tone they expect. Is this formal, casual, spiritual, or a mix?
• Gather memories Text or call siblings and close friends and ask for one memory each. Small details often make the best material.
• Choose three focus points Pick three things you want people to remember about your Dada. Three is easy to hold in one speech and gives you structure.
• Decide your opening line Planning the very first sentence reduces panic at the microphone. Start with your name and relationship so the room knows who you are.

Structure that works

Use a simple shape to keep your speech coherent and emotional.

• Opening Say who you are and why you are speaking. Offer one clear sentence that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of his life roles. Focus on the facts that matter for the story you are telling.
• Anecdotes Share one or two short stories that reveal character. Keep them sensory and specific.
• Lessons and traits Summarize the values he modeled or the small ways he changed your life.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, a short quote, or a simple call to action like lighting a candle or sharing a favorite memory after the service.

Writing the opening

Don't overcomplicate the opening. Your first sentence buys you time to breathe.

Opening examples

• Hi everyone. My name is Amir and I am Dada's son. Today we are here to remember his laughter and his terrible karaoke choices.
• Hello. I am Nia, his daughter. Dada taught me to fix things with duct tape and with patience. I am honored to say a few words.
• Good afternoon. I am Theo and Dada was my dad and my loudest coach in life. I want to share one small story that shows exactly who he was.

How to write the life sketch

The life sketch is not a full biography. Focus on roles that matter and facts that add color. Think about where he grew up, what he did for work, who he loved, and what he loved to do.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born in [place] in [year]. He worked as a [job] and later did [role]. He was a husband to [partner], a father to [names], and a friend to many.
• [Name] moved to [city] when he was [age]. He loved [hobby], cooked a mean [dish], and never missed a chance to [habit].

Anecdotes that land

People remember stories not statements. Pick one or two stories that show who your Dada was. Keep them short and end them with a clear reason they matter.

Good anecdote formula

• Setup Tell the context in one line.
• Action Describe a memorable moment in two or three lines.
• Payoff Explain what that moment shows about his character.

Short anecdote examples

• When I was eight he taught me to build a birdhouse. He let me use the hammer and then fixed my crooked nails with a grin. He trusted me more than I trusted myself back then.
• Every Sunday he made pancakes shaped like whatever my sister asked for. One week she asked for a dinosaur and he somehow made batter look prehistoric. He knew the value of delight.
• He used to call at midnight just to tell the same joke he thought was new. We all acted surprised so he would keep telling it. He wanted to make us laugh and he was brilliant at it.

Addressing a complicated relationship

If your relationship with your Dada was strained you can still speak with honesty and dignity. You do not need to air private grievances. A short, honest statement about complexity is respectful and real.

Examples for complicated relationships

• My relationship with Dada was not simple. We argued and we grew. In the end we found a quieter way to be together and I am grateful for that time.
• He could be impatient and blunt. He also taught me how to stand up for myself and how to laugh at my mistakes. Those were hard lessons and useful ones.
• We did not always understand each other. Still, his presence shaped me and that is something I can say with honesty and thanks.

Using humor the right way

Humor gives people permission to breathe. Use small earned jokes that highlight character not shame anyone. Test jokes with a trusted friend first.

Safe humor examples

• Dada had a signature outfit which he called his thinking uniform. It was mostly socks that never matched and a confident grin.
• He believed every problem could be solved with a cup of tea and a ridiculous analogy. We do not recommend following his methods for complex taxes.

What to avoid in a eulogy for your Dada

• Avoid letting the speech become a therapy session for a family argument
• Avoid gossip or private information that will embarrass people in the room
• Avoid long lists of facts without stories that make those facts matter
• Avoid cliches unless you immediately add a specific detail that proves them true

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples you can copy and personalize. Replace bracketed text with your details and practice until the lines feel like you.

Example 1 Loving practical dad, three to five minute version

Hello. I am Pri and I am his daughter. It is an honor to say a few words about my dad, Raj.

Raj grew up in Lagos and moved to the city in his twenties. He worked as an electrician for many years. He loved music, Sunday barbecues, and unfinished crossword puzzles. He married Amina and together they raised two kids who learned how to fix a loose hinge and how to apologize when they were wrong.

One memory that captures him is his Saturday ritual. He would make tea exactly at nine and then sit on the porch with the paper. If anyone put the paper out of order he would correct it like a small judge. We teased him, but he always had an extra cup ready for anyone who needed it.

He taught us to take pride in small work, to be kind to neighbors, and to laugh at ourselves. His generosity was quiet. He showed up for people and he fixed things that other people considered lost causes. I will miss his laugh and the way he made every house feel like a home. Thank you for being here to remember him.

Example 2 Short modern eulogy under two minutes

Hi everyone. I am Marcus and I am Dada's son. Dad loved awful dad jokes, late night drives, and the way his coffee had to be exactly three quarters full. He taught me to keep my hands busy and my heart open. We will miss him. Thank you for being here and holding him in memory with us.

Example 3 Complicated relationship, honest and respectful

My name is Zoe. My relationship with Dada was complicated. We had fights that lasted months and moments of repair that were small but real. He could be stubborn and distant. He was also the person who showed up the time I needed him most. In his last year he reached for us more often and I found forgiveness in the quiet. I am grateful for the ways he taught me to be resilient and to forgive myself.

Example 4 Celebration of life tone with humor

Hello. I am Ben, his oldest child. If you met my father you know he had two rules. Rule one be honest. Rule two never throw away a good joke. He kept a drawer of legendary bad puns and a freezer full of emergency snacks. Today we celebrate those puns and the way he taught us to make the small things into reasons to laugh. Eat a snack in his honor and tell his worst joke out loud once so he can roll over in peace.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates as a starting point. Fill in the blanks and then make the language your own.

Template A Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Dada s name] [son daughter child]. [Dada s name] was born in [place or year]. He loved [one hobby], he worked as [job], and he was the person we called when [small task or habit]. One memory that shows who he was is [brief story]. He taught me [value or lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here and for supporting our family.

Template B For a complicated relationship

My name is [Your Name]. My relationship with [Dada s name] was complex. We did not always understand each other. We fought about [small example]. Over time I came to appreciate [something positive]. In the last [months years] we [reconciled spent time together found peace]. If I could say one thing to him now it would be [short line you want to say].

Template C Light and funny with sincerity

Hi. I am [Your Name]. To know [Dada s name] was to know that [quirky habit]. He also made sure we learned [life practical skill]. My favorite memory is [funny small story]. Even his jokes had a purpose. He made us laugh and he made us better at changing a tire. I will miss his jokes and his exact way of folding maps. Thank you.

Practical tips for delivery

Speaking while grieving is hard. These tactics help you stay steady and honest.

• Print your speech Use large font on paper. Paper feels safer than a small phone screen when your hands are shaking.
• Use cue cards Index cards with one or two lines reduce the chance of losing your place.
• Mark pauses Put a note where you will breathe or where you expect laughter. Pauses give you time to regroup.
• Practice out loud Read the eulogy to a friend, a partner, or to the mirror. Practice calms your throat and your voice.
• Bring tissues and water Have a small glass of water and tissues nearby. A sip can reset your voice and a tissue can be a lifeline.
• Ask for help Arrange for someone to introduce you or to step in if you cannot finish. That safety net reduces pressure.
• Mic technique Keep the microphone a few inches from your mouth and speak at a normal volume. If there is no mic, speak slowly and project to the back row.

When you want to cry while reading

If tears come, that is okay. Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment, take it. Slowing down makes words carry more weight. The audience will wait and they will likely be grateful for what you shared.

Including readings, poems, and music

Short readings work best. If you include a poem pick a two to four line excerpt rather than a long poem. Confirm the officiant is comfortable with the piece and include the text in the program when possible.

Music tips

• Pick songs your Dada loved or tracks that match the tone you want.
• If live music is not possible ask about playing a recorded track between speakers.
• Keep music short and place it where it supports the speech such as before or after a key memory.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director if you will need a microphone or printed copies
• Confirm with the officiant where you will stand and how long you may speak
• Give a copy of your speech to the person running the order of service so they can include it in the program or memory book

After the eulogy

People may ask for a copy. Offer to email it to family and friends. Many families include the eulogy in a printed program or a memory book. You can also record the audio and share it privately with relatives who could not attend. Ask the family before posting any recording online to respect privacy wishes.

Checklist before you step up to speak

• Confirm your time limit with the family or officiant
• Print your speech with large font and bring a backup copy
• Practice at least three times out loud
• Mark pauses and emotional beats in your copy
• Bring tissues and a glass of water
• Tell a family member you might need a moment and arrange a signal in case you want them to finish

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech given at a funeral or memorial that honors the person who died through memories and reflection.
• Obituary A written notice announcing a death that often includes funeral details and basic biography.
• Order of service The schedule for the funeral or memorial listing music readings and speakers.
• Pallbearer Someone chosen to carry the casket usually a family member or close friend.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories photos and memories rather than ritual.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for people nearing the end. Hospice is about support not cure.
• RSVP Short for respond s il vous plait which is a polite request for attendance confirmation on invitations.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Begin with your name and relationship to your Dada. A short opening like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I am [Dada s Name] child buys you a breath to settle. Practice that line until it feels comfortable. It will steady you when you reach the microphone.

What if I forget my place or start crying

Pause and breathe. Look at your notes and find a short sentence to read next. If you cannot continue ask a prepared family member or friend to step in. Having a backup person and a very short note they can pick up from reduces anxiety.

Should I include religious language if the family is not religious

Only include religious language if it was meaningful to your Dada or to close family. If religion was not central choose secular language that honors values and memories. A short poem or quote can be an alternative to prayer language.

How do I balance humor and respect

Use humor that is rooted in real memories and that does not embarrass or single out a person in the audience. Follow a joke with a sincere line so the tone returns to care. Humor can open hearts when used with intention.

Can I read the eulogy from my phone

Yes you can but make sure the screen is bright enough and the device will not ring. Many people prefer paper or index cards because they are easier to manage when emotions are high.

How long should a eulogy be

Three to seven minutes is a helpful target. Short speeches tend to be more memorable. Coordinate with other speakers so the service stays on schedule.

Is it okay to record and share the eulogy online

Ask the family before posting. Some families prefer privacy. If sharing is approved provide a short description and be mindful of the deceased s wishes and the audience s feelings.