How to Write a Eulogy for Your Doctoral Advisor - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for your doctoral advisor feels odd and important at the same time. Your advisor might have been your mentor, your toughest critic, your biggest advocate, or some combination of all three. This guide gives a clear method, examples you can adapt, and templates to jumpstart your writing. We explain academic terms you might see and give tips for delivering a speech in a university setting or at a private memorial. Read through, pick an example that matches your relationship, and start drafting your tribute.

Who this guide is for

This article is for graduate students, postdocs, colleagues, and former advisees who have been asked to speak about a doctoral advisor at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, departmental event, or online tribute. Maybe you were the obvious pick because you spent the most hours in their office. Maybe you were a distant mentee who wants to honor influence from afar. There are scripts for formal academic settings, short tributes, humorous memories, and complicated relationships.

What is a eulogy for an advisor

A eulogy is a personal speech meant to honor someone who has died. For a doctoral advisor it blends professional achievements with mentorship stories and human details. A eulogy is not a full academic biography. It is a focused, honest story that helps listeners remember the person beyond titles and publications.

Academic terms and acronyms explained

• PhD The degree awarded for original research. It stands for Doctor of Philosophy and is the usual terminal degree in many fields.
• Dissertation The long research project completed to earn the PhD. It is sometimes called a thesis in certain countries or programs.
• Defense The oral exam where the candidate presents and defends their dissertation to a committee.
• Committee The group of faculty who advise and evaluate the doctoral candidate.
• Postdoc Short for postdoctoral researcher. A postdoc is someone doing further training after the PhD in research or teaching.
• PI Principal investigator. This is the faculty member who leads a research group and often the advisor for graduate students in lab based fields.
• Tenure A faculty job status that offers long term employment security. When people say someone was tenured it means they earned a permanent position.

Before you start writing

Write with intent. A little planning makes the first draft easier and the final speech stronger. Use this short checklist.

• Ask about time and tone Confirm how long you should speak and whether the event is formal or casual. A departmental memorial usually expects a more formal tone than a family service.
• Check with family and department Ask family if there are stories that should be avoided. Coordinate with the department for logistics like microphone and seating.
• Collect material quickly Reach out to peers, former students, and collaborators for one memory each. Even short notes help.
• Pick three focus points Choose three things you want listeners to remember such as mentorship style, signature research, and a human habit or phrase.

Structure that works

Keep the structure simple and predictable. This helps both you and the audience follow the thought.

• Opening Say who you are and why you are speaking. Offer one line about what the person meant to you or to the community.
• Academic sketch Give a brief description of their career in plain language. Avoid long lists of publications. Pick a couple of highlights that show impact.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two specific stories that reveal character as mentor, scientist, or human being.
• Lessons and legacy Summarize what others learned from them and how their influence carries forward.
• Closing End with a short goodbye line, a favourite quote they used, or an invitation for the audience to remember a small practice they taught.

How long should a eulogy for an advisor be

Match the context. For a departmental remembrance aim for five to eight minutes. For a family or mixed audience three to five minutes may be more appropriate. If multiple colleagues will speak, coordinate times so no one goes overtime.

Writing the opening

The opening is your anchor. Start with your name and your role in relation to the advisor. Then offer one clear sentence about their significance. That buys you a beat to breathe and collect yourself.

Opening examples

• Good afternoon. I am Maya Chen. I completed my PhD under Dr. Alan Reyes and I am honored to speak for the student community.
• Hello everyone. My name is Jonah. I was a postdoc in Dr. Patel s lab for three years. He taught me how to look at data and how to be stubborn in the best way.
• Hi. I am Priya, a former advisee. Professor Nguyen believed that a messy whiteboard meant progress. Today we gather to remember that messy generosity.

How to write the academic sketch

Think of this as a life sketch focused on work and students. Use plain language. Avoid listing every award. Instead highlight the work that mattered to people who were not in the field.

Academic sketch templates

• [Name] earned a PhD from [institution] and joined our department in [year]. Their research explored [area] and changed how people think about [big idea]. They supervised over [number] PhD students and were known for [one memorable quality].
• [Name] started as a postdoc and became a professor and later a mentor to generations of students. Their papers and courses influenced both the research and teaching in our field.

Anecdotes that matter

Stories bring the person into the room. Choose moments that show mentorship habits, a famous phrase they repeated, their kindness, or a classroom moment that reveals their style. Keep each story short and end with why it matters.

Academic anecdote examples

• When my experiment failed for the fifth time, they sat with me and sketched a silly cartoon to explain the point where I was stuck. For them humor was a way to translate confusion into curiosity.
• They had a ritual before every thesis defense. They would insist the student read one paragraph aloud about why the research mattered to someone outside the field. That tiny exercise changed how I present my work to non academics.
• At department meetings they always asked about our mental health before asking about grants. That small check changed how the department treated burnout.

Addressing a complicated advisor relationship

Advisors are rarely only supportive. If your relationship was difficult you can still speak with integrity. Name the difficulty if that feels honest and safe. You do not need to air private conflicts. You can acknowledge complexity and highlight what you did receive.

Examples for complicated relationships

• My relationship with Professor Lee was challenging. They pushed me to limits I resented then and appreciate now. Their bluntness taught me to be rigorous and to own my work.
• We were not close outside the lab. Still, they showed up at my thesis defense and whispered You are ready. That small gesture mattered more than they realized.
• We had disagreements about direction. Looking back I see how those disagreements sharpened my thinking. I am grateful for that friction even if it was hard at the time.

Using humor the right way in an academic tribute

Humor can ease tension but keep it respectful. Use small earned jokes that colleagues and family can understand. Avoid jokes that single out personal traits in a mean way.

Safe academic humor examples

• They had a coffee mug that said Publish or Perish but with a smiley face over perish. That mug was the closest thing we had to a department mascot.
• Professor Gomez used to circulate memes about grant writing as survival training. We still use those memes at every late night writing session.

What to avoid in a eulogy for an advisor

• Avoid turning the speech into a list of publications without stories that show why the work mattered.
• Avoid grading students or making the talk about departmental politics.
• Avoid gossip or revealing private lab conflicts.
• Avoid overly technical jargon unless you will also explain it in plain language for a mixed audience.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples for different tones and contexts. Replace bracketed text with your details and edit for your voice. Each example notes an approximate spoken length.

Example 1 Formal departmental tribute five to seven minutes

Good afternoon. I am Dr. Elena Ruiz and I had the privilege of being a postdoc with Professor Martin for five years.

Professor Martin joined our department in 1998 and built a lab that asked hard questions about how cells communicate during development. Their work transformed our understanding of cellular signaling and opened new pathways for treatments. Beyond the papers and grants what we remember most is their insistence on clarity. They would say If you cannot explain it to your neighbor then you do not understand it yet. That line became our lab s test for every talk and every draft.

One small story captures their mentorship style. A student came in with data that looked messy. Instead of telling us what to do they asked three questions and then sat quietly while we talked through possibilities. After about twenty minutes they stood up and said Try this. That suggestion seemed simple but it fixed the problem and taught us how to ask better questions. Many of us learned to mentor by watching that quiet method.

Professor Martin was also generous with time. When a former student called in a panic about a job interview they took the call at midnight and coached through answers and posture. That generosity shaped dozens of careers.

We will miss their curiosity and their stubborn belief that good science is a conversation not a monologue. The best way to honor them is to keep asking better questions and to make space for the people in our labs. Thank you.

Example 2 Short personal tribute under two minutes

Hi. I m Aaron. I was a PhD student with Dr. Sato. She taught me to be brave enough to write the messy draft first and to be kind enough to give feedback that helps. I will always hear her laugh when something unexpected worked. Thank you for your guidance and your patience. We will miss you.

Example 3 Humorous and warm for a celebration of life four minutes

Hello. I am Nadia, a former student. Professor Carter could be terrifying in committee meetings and unbelievably soft when someone brought cookies. We learned fast to avoid submitting drafts on Mondays and to always bring snacks to group meetings. But the humor came with a steady belief in students. He once said You cannot measure curiosity with a spreadsheet and then spent an afternoon teaching us how to break a problem apart until it was funny. We will miss his jokes and his exacting standards and we will carry forward his love for clever questions. Eat a cookie in his honour today if you can.

Example 4 For a complicated relationship honest and respectful three to four minutes

My name is Omar. I was a PhD student in Professor Liu s group. Our relationship was intense. They pushed hard and I resisted. That tension made me stronger and more confident in my work. In the end they wrote me a recommendation that changed my career. I am grateful for their challenge and for the moments of unexpected kindness. I will remember the standards they set and the way they believed in the work even when I did not.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these to get started. Write quickly and then edit to make it sound like you. Read it out loud and trim anything that feels fancy or forced.

Template A Classic departmental

Hello. My name is [Your Name] and I was a [PhD student postdoc colleague] of [Advisor Name]. [Advisor Name] joined [Institution] in [year] and their research on [topic] changed how we think about [broad impact]. One memory that shows who they were is [brief story]. They taught me [lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here to honour them.

Template B Short personal

Hi. I am [Your Name]. [Advisor Name] taught me to [practical skill or mindset]. My favourite memory is [short anecdote]. I am thankful for their guidance and for the faith they had in me. Thank you.

Template C For complicated relationships

My name is [Your Name]. My time with [Advisor Name] was not always easy. We clashed over [example]. That conflict forced me to grow in ways I did not expect. I also remember [positive memory]. I appreciate the lessons and the growth that came out of our work together. Thank you for being here with us.

Practical tips for delivery in academic settings

• Know the context If the event is held by the department follow any guidelines about length, dress, and who introduces you.
• Print with large font Use paper or index cards. If you read from a phone make sure it will not ring and the screen is bright enough.
• Practice out loud Run the eulogy with a friend or colleague at least twice. Practicing helps you find natural pauses for emotion and laughter.
• Use simple cues Mark where to pause for breath or where the room might laugh. Pauses give you time to regroup.
• Plan a backup If you think you might not get through it have a colleague ready to step in with a closing sentence.
• Microphone technique If a mic is available keep it a few inches from your mouth and speak clearly. If no mic project to the back row slowly and steadily.
• Handle tears If you need a moment pause and breathe. The audience will wait. A deep breath resets your voice more quickly than pushing through.

Including readings, slides, or music

Many departmental events include photos or slides. Keep visuals short and respectful. If you include a paper excerpt or quote explain it briefly so non experts understand. If music will play check with organizers about audio setup and length.

Logistics and university protocols

• Check with the department chair about event time, order of speakers, and who will introduce you.
• Ask family what they prefer in public remarks. Families may want certain topics avoided.
• Find out if the university will livestream or record the event and get permission before sharing recordings publicly.
• If donations or memorials are being collected mention the appropriate channel such as the university memorial fund or a charity chosen by the family.

After the eulogy

People will often ask for a copy. Offer to email the text or share it with the department to include in a memorial page. Some departments create memory books or online collections of tributes. Consider sending a copy to family and to former students who could not attend.

Checklist before you speak

• Confirm your time limit with the family and department.
• Print a copy of your speech with large font and bring a backup.
• Practice out loud at least twice.
• Mark emotional beats and pauses.
• Bring tissues and water if allowed.
• Arrange a signal with a colleague in case you need help finishing.

Glossary of academic terms

• PhD The research degree awarded for original scholarly work.
• Dissertation The major research project required for the PhD.
• Defense The formal oral examination to evaluate a dissertation.
• Committee Faculty who advise and evaluate a doctoral candidate.
• Postdoc A training position after the PhD for further research experience.
• PI Principal investigator who leads a research lab and often supervises students.
• Tenure A status that provides long term employment security for faculty.

Frequently asked questions

How long should my eulogy be for a departmental memorial

Five to eight minutes is a good target for a departmental memorial. If several people will speak aim for three to five minutes so the program stays on schedule.

What if I do not have close memories to share

It is okay to be honest about that. You can speak about their impact on the field, their teaching philosophy, or share a memory a colleague gave you. Even a short sincere line about what they meant to the community is valuable.

Can students and family both be present

Yes. Many events include both groups. Keep language accessible and avoid technical jargon. Ask family if they prefer any private remarks not to be said in public.

Is it appropriate to include their research achievements

Yes but keep it human. Mention one or two achievements and explain why they mattered for people. Pair achievements with a story about how the advisor supported students.

What if the advisor was controversial or difficult

Focus on honest and respectful language. You can acknowledge complexity and mention constructive lessons learned. Avoid airing personal disputes in a public setting.

Should I give my speech to the family or department afterward

Offering to share a written copy is thoughtful. Give it to the family and to the department for archives or a memorial page if they want it.