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

Writing a eulogy for a director at work or in a creative community can feel strange and heavy. Your director might have been a mentor, a demanding boss, a collaborator, or a friend. This guide gives you a clear structure, relatable examples, and templates you can edit. We explain any workplace terms and acronyms you might run into and offer tips for tone and logistics so you can honor your director with confidence.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a director at a funeral, memorial, company gathering, or celebration of life. Maybe you were their direct report, a peer, a board member, a volunteer, or an artist who worked closely with them. Maybe the relationship was deep and warm. Maybe it was complicated. There are sample scripts for formal, personal, short, and complex situations.

What is a eulogy and how is it different from other tributes

A eulogy is a spoken tribute that honors a person who has died. It is delivered at a funeral, memorial, or other remembrance event. A eulogy is personal and storytelling focused. It is not an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that gives basic facts like dates, survivors, and service details. A eulogy is a story about who this person was and what they meant to you and others.

Common terms and acronyms you might see

• Obituary A published notice about a death that typically includes biographical facts and service information.
• Order of service A program that lists the sequence of readings, speakers, and music for a funeral or memorial.
• Officiant The person leading a funeral or memorial. They may be religious or secular.
• Celebration of life A less formal event that focuses on stories, photos, and memories rather than ritual.
• HR Human resources. The company department that handles employee matters including bereavement and internal communications.
• EAP Employee Assistance Program. A workplace service that provides counseling and support for staff during stressful times.
• Executive director In nonprofits this is often the senior leader. In other contexts a director may lead a team or a function.

Before you start writing

Quick planning saves time and helps you honor both the director and the people present.

• Clarify where you will speak Is this at a funeral service, a company memorial meeting, a virtual gathering, or an informal office remembrance?
• Ask about time Confirm how long you are expected to speak and where your eulogy fits in the order of service.
• Check with family and HR Make sure the family and the company are comfortable with the tone and any workplace details you plan to share.
• Decide the tone Do you want a formal tribute, a warm personal reflection, a short practical message, or a mix?
• Gather material Collect specific memories, small stories, quotes they used, and things the team will miss. Ask colleagues for one memory each.
• Choose three focus points Pick three main ideas to structure your remarks. Three makes your talk memorable and manageable.

Structure that works

A clear shape gives you permission to be human and helps listeners follow along. Use this simple structure.

• Opening Say who you are, your role, and why you are speaking. Offer one sentence that sets the tone.
• Work sketch and roles Give a brief overview of the director s role and what they cared about. Highlight how they showed up day to day.
• One or two anecdotes Tell short stories that reveal character and leadership style. Keep them specific and sensory.
• Impact and lessons Summarize what the director taught people, how they changed the team, and what their legacy is.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, a call to remember something tangible, or a short quote that fits the tone.

Writing the opening

Keep the opening simple. State your name and your relationship to the director. A clear start gives you a moment to breathe and the audience context for your remarks.

Opening examples

• Good afternoon. My name is Ava. I led product on Sam s team for six years and I am honored to speak about him today.
• Hello everyone. I am Jamal, a member of the board. I worked with Priya when she built this nonprofit from a small team into a city wide program.
• Hi, I m Ren. I was part of the lighting crew for every show Maya directed. She taught us how to listen to a room and to a person.

How to write the work sketch

The work sketch is not a resume. Pick the specifics that matter for the story you want to tell. Focus on roles and values not a long list of achievements. Mention the director s job title, the teams they led, and one or two signature projects or ways they worked.

Work sketch templates

• [Name] joined [company or organization] as [role] and later became the director of [team or program]. They believed in clear communication and steady curiosity.
• [Name] spent [number] years in our industry. They led big projects and small acts of care. For them work was a place to learn, to mentor, and to do meaningful work together.

Anecdotes that matter

Stories are the heart of a eulogy. Pick one or two short memories that show who the director was. Keep the setup quick, include a small action, and finish with why it mattered to you or the team.

Good anecdote examples

• One late night before a big launch Sam stayed on the call long after most of us left. He made a playlist and insisted we take a five minute break to actually laugh. We shipped on time and we remembered that a human moment mattered more than perfect work.
• Maya would walk the stage before rehearsals and talk to each crew person by name. She believed a show was only as good as the care you give the small things. That respect for craft changed how I worked forever.
• Priya once told a worried volunteer that mistakes are just practice for the next person who will thank them. Her calm was the ballast we needed during a tough funding cycle.

Addressing complicated workplace relationships

Work relationships are often messy. If your relationship with the director was complex you can still be honest and respectful. You do not need to air private grievances. Acknowledge the complexity and point to lessons, closure, or growth. That gives dignity to both you and the audience.

Examples for complicated relationships

• Working with Miguel could be hard. He pushed hard and he expected excellence. I learned to take feedback as a chance to improve even when it stung.
• We did not always agree on strategy. Still, Elena taught me how to stand up for the team and to back ideas with data. Those lessons shaped the leader I am trying to be.
• Sometimes our conversations were blunt. In the end we found a mutual respect that made our work better. I will carry that with me.

Using workplace humor the right way

Humor can open up emotion if it is kind and earned. Use small, work safe jokes not roasts. Avoid jokes that single out colleagues or that could embarrass the family. Test any joke with a trusted coworker first.

Safe workplace humor examples

• Sam had a thing about Monday coffee. If your cup was not reusable he would find you and lecture you warmly. He could make sustainability feel like a love language.
• Maya loved sticky notes. We found one on every prop. We joked she was single handedly keeping the office supply store in business and she took it as a compliment.

What to avoid when eulogizing a director

• Avoid airing internal disputes or confidential information.
• Avoid excessive praise that feels like a press release. Be real and specific instead.
• Avoid jokes that could humiliate team members or the family.
• Avoid long lists of achievements without stories that show the person behind the title.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Example 1: Senior director, professional and warm, three to five minutes

Hello. I am Nora and I had the privilege of reporting to Daniel for five years as product lead. Daniel joined our company when it was still a small startup and he helped shape how we work together. He believed in clarity and he believed in people. He had a habit of asking two simple questions in every meeting. The first was is it clear. The second was who is helped by this. Those questions made our work better and kinder.

One moment that stands out was during our first big outage. It would have been easy to panic. Daniel came into the war room with two boxes of pastries and a calm voice. He made us small promises we could keep and he reminded us that we were not defined by one night of mistakes. We fixed the issue and we learned that leadership is about steadying the team when the sky looks like it is falling.

Daniel cared deeply about mentorship. He made time for career conversations and he celebrated small wins. He also made a mean spreadsheet and took joy in teaching others how to build one. We will miss his clear questions, his steady humor, and his terrible but beloved dad jokes. I am grateful for his mentorship and for the ways he taught us how to be better teammates. Thank you for being here and for holding his family in your thoughts.

Example 2: Executive director of a nonprofit, personal and brief under two minutes

Hello. I am Mei, a program manager. Priya believed that the work of this organization was only possible when we made space for the people we served to tell their stories. She fought for small budgets that mattered and she showed up to community meetings in rain or shine. Her fierce kindness changed how donors saw our work and how we saw ourselves. We will miss her honesty and her quiet courage. Please join me in a moment of silence for Priya and for the people she loved.

Example 3: Artistic director, light and celebratory with humor

Hi everyone. I am Omar, the set designer. If you knew Lea s rehearsal notes you know she wrote in all caps when she needed coffee. She also used three different colored pens to map emotional beats. Working with Lea meant you had to be ready to listen and to laugh. She made every rehearsal feel like an invitation. Today we remember her exacting eye and her huge heart. Please share one small rehearsal memory with someone after this so her voice keeps living in our work.

Example 4: Complicated workplace relationship, honest and constructive

My name is Dana. I worked under Marcus for three years and our relationship had its rough edges. He pushed hard and sometimes that pressure landed in ways that were difficult. Over time I learned that his intensity came from a fear of letting the team down. In the last year he asked to meet and he apologized for times he had been harsh. That conversation changed how I saw him. He taught me to fight for quality and to forgive the human cost of imperfect learning. I am grateful for that growth and for the chance to remember him honestly today.

Fill in the blank templates

Use one of these templates and change the bracketed parts. Read aloud and trim what feels forced.

Template A: Professional and concise

My name is [Your Name]. I worked with [Director s Name] as [your role] for [number] years. [Director s Name] served as [title] at [company or organization]. They believed in [value]. One memory that shows who they were is [short story]. They taught us [lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here for their family and their colleagues.

Template B: Personal and reflective

Hello, I am [Your Name]. I first met [Director s Name] when [short origin story]. They had a habit of [quirky habit]. That habit taught me [lesson]. In tough times they did [supportive action]. I will remember them for [trait or action]. Please join me in holding their family and team in your thoughts.

Template C: Short and formal for a company meeting

Good afternoon. My name is [Your Name]. On behalf of the team I want to acknowledge the loss of [Director s Name], our [title]. [Director s Name] helped guide [project or program]. Today we honor their memory and we will share resources for anyone who needs support. Thank you.

Practical tips for delivery

• Print your speech Use larger font so you can glance down easily. Reading from a printed page feels steadier than from a phone in many venues.
• Use index cards A small card per paragraph helps you stay on track. Number the cards so you can reorder if needed.
• Mark emotional pauses Put a bracket where you expect to breathe or where the audience will laugh or clap. Pauses help you gather yourself.
• Practice aloud Read to a trusted colleague, a friend, or into your voice memo. Practice helps your throat and your emotions find a rhythm.
• Bring water and tissues You will be glad you did.
• Arrange a backup If you think you may not get through it, ask a colleague to introduce you and to step in if you need help finishing.
• Mind the mic Keep it a few inches from your mouth and speak at a steady volume. If there is no mic project your voice to the back row with a slower pace.

When the company is involved

If this is a workplace memorial coordinate with HR and leadership. They will likely handle internal communications, bereavement leave, and offers of support such as counseling through the EAP. Ask about:

• Approved messages for press or social media
• Whether a company wide email or Slack message will be sent
• Any plans for a formal memorial fund, flowers, or donations
• Contact details for family members if the company is acting as point of contact

How to handle social posts and internal messages

Check with family before posting photos or long tributes online. For internal posts keep the tone respectful and factual. If the company is collecting memories consider offering a private place where colleagues can submit them. LinkedIn posts can be appropriate if the family consents and if the message honors privacy.

Recording and sharing the eulogy

Ask the family whether they are comfortable with recordings. If the event is virtual or hybrid ask about the recording being shared on a private link. For a company memorial ask for guidance on distribution so you do not unintentionally breach confidentiality or family wishes.

Glossary of useful terms

• Eulogy A speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who has died.
• Obituary A written notice that announces a death and usually includes service details.
• Order of service The plan for the funeral or memorial listing the sequence of events.
• Officiant The person leading a funeral or memorial ceremony.
• Executive director Often the senior leader in a nonprofit. In other settings a director is a leader of a team or a function.
• HR Human resources. The company office that deals with employee support and policy.
• EAP Employee Assistance Program. A work benefit offering counseling and resources for staff.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a eulogy for a director be

Aim for three to five minutes for most workplace or public memorials. Shorter remarks of one to two minutes work well at company gatherings where many people may speak. Focus on a few true memories rather than a long list of accomplishments.

Can I mention workplace mistakes or conflicts

Be careful. You can acknowledge complexity and growth but avoid accusations or private business details. Keep the focus on lessons learned, reconciliation, or how the person shaped the team.

Who should approve the content if I am not family

Check with the family if possible. If that is not feasible coordinate with HR or the person organizing the memorial so your words do not conflict with family wishes or company policy.

Is it okay to make this emotional in a company setting

Yes. Emotions are natural. Keep your language professional and honest. Tell a short story, share how the person influenced you, and give listeners a concrete way to remember them.

What if I am asked to speak on short notice

Use a short template. Say who you are, name your relationship to the director, tell one quick memory, and end with a brief line of thanks. That structure is solid and easy to deliver even with little prep.

Should I include requests for donations or company actions

Only with family consent. If the company is organizing a fund or memorial gift make sure details are handled through official channels so donations go where the family intends.