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

Saying a few words for an intern at a company feels unfamiliar and important at the same time. Interns are often young people who were part of your team for a short time but who left a lasting impression. You want to honor them, be appropriate for coworkers and leadership, and respect the family s wishes. This guide walks you through what to include, how to check with HR and the family, and gives real examples and templates you can use or adapt. We explain any terms or acronyms you might see and give delivery tips that actually work.

Who this guide is for

This article is for managers, mentors, coworkers, HR partners, and anyone asked to speak about an intern at a funeral, memorial, company vigil, or virtual remembrance. You might be a manager who knew them well, a teammate who worked alongside them on projects, or someone asked to read a short note at a company meeting. There are examples for formal company communications, short workplace statements, and more personal eulogies for a memorial service.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a speech given to honor someone who has died. It is personal and story based. It differs from an obituary which is a written notice with basic facts about the person and funeral arrangements. A eulogy focuses on memory, character, and the ways the person mattered to others.

Workplace terms and acronyms explained

• HR Human resources. The department that manages employee relations, policies, and benefits. They will often guide company responses to a death.
• PTO Paid time off. Time off from work that may include vacation and sick days. Bereavement leave may be separate from PTO.
• Bereavement leave Time off provided to employees after the death of a loved one. Policies vary by company and country.
• Obituary A written public notice of a death that usually includes basic facts and service information.
• Memorial service A gathering to remember someone who has died. It may be held with or without a casket present. A celebration of life is a less formal type of memorial.
• Condolence An expression of sympathy to someone who is grieving.

Before you write a eulogy for an intern

There are a few practical checks to make before you write anything or speak publicly.

• Talk to HR They can advise on company policy, coordinate communications, and confirm whether the family has requested privacy.
• Contact the family Or ask HR to do that first. Never assume what details the family wants shared. Ask for permission to speak about workplace moments or to post a recording.
• Agree the tone Check with the family if they want a formal tone, a celebration of life vibe, or a private family only service.
• Coordinate with other speakers If the company will have multiple people speak, decide order and time limits so the event stays respectful and on schedule.
• Decide the audience A eulogy at a public memorial may be different from remarks at a private company meeting or a Slack message to colleagues.

How long should a workplace eulogy be

For a memorial service aim for three to five minutes. For a company meeting or tribute aim for one to three minutes. Short focused remarks often feel more appropriate at work because many people will want to share memories and the event may include multiple speakers.

Structure that works for a eulogy for an intern

Use a simple structure to give your remarks shape. That helps you stay composed and gives the audience a clear thread to follow.

• Opening Say your name and how you knew the intern. For example I am Maya, their supervisor on the product team.
• Snapshot of the intern Give a brief life sketch such as where they were from, their school, and what they were studying if known and approved by family.
• One or two anecdotes Tell short stories from work that show character. Keep them respectful and avoid anything that might embarrass the family.
• The impact Say how they mattered to the team, what they taught you, or how they changed your workplace culture even in a small way.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line or invite a moment of silence. If the company is organizing a memorial fund or charity donation include a simple note about how to contribute if the family has approved it.

Writing the opening

Start with your name and your relationship to the intern. That gives the audience context and lets you take a breath. Keep the first sentence very short.

Opening examples

• Hello everyone. I am Liam and I was Ava s mentor during her internship.
• Good afternoon. I m Priya and I managed the summer interns on the design team.
• Hi. I m Jorge, a fellow intern who worked with Ken on the analytics project.

What to include in the life sketch

The life sketch is brief. Mention things that the family is comfortable sharing such as school, major, hometown and interests. Avoid sensitive private details unless the family has asked you to include them.

Life sketch template lines

• [Name] was a student at [school] studying [major].
• They joined our team for the summer to work on [project].
• Outside of work they loved [hobby] and spending time with [friends family].

Anecdotes that are appropriate for work

Workplace stories should be specific, short, and show character. Good anecdotes are not about gossip or office politics. They highlight kindness, curiosity, hustle, and humor that is still respectful to family and colleagues.

Examples of workplace anecdotes

• On her first day Ava stayed late to fix a bug that had been blocking our demo. She told us she could not sleep while something was broken. The next morning she brought bagels for the team because she thought fixing the bug deserved a small celebration.
• Ken kept a plant on his desk and named it Excel. He joked that it was the only thing that grew with every spreadsheet he opened. When a teammate was struggling with a presentation he quietly offered to rehearse with them until they felt ready.
• Marco used to leave sticky notes with tiny doodles on the whiteboard for the design team. They were silly but comforting. They made long work sessions feel less alone.

How to handle sensitive or complicated workplace situations

If the intern s death involves circumstances that could spark legal or privacy issues check with HR before you speak. Avoid speculation about cause of death unless the family has spoken publicly about it. If you need to acknowledge something difficult you can do so with care. For example You are likely aware of recent events. Out of respect for the family and the team we are focusing today on remembering Sam and offering support.

Using humor the right way at work

Humor can help people breathe but it must be gentle and appropriate for the family and the company culture. Small, earned moments are fine. Avoid jokes that could feel flippant or that reference risky behavior.

Safe workplace humor examples

• She believed snacks were a necessary productivity tool. You could always find her at the snack table during crunch week.
• He insisted on a color coded to do list. It was impossible to argue with a color coded to do list.

What to avoid when speaking about an intern

• Do not disclose medical details or cause of death unless the family has publicly confirmed them.
• Avoid office gossip and anything that could harm someone s privacy.
• Do not use the eulogy to raise workplace complaints or policy issues. Those conversations belong in HR meetings.
• Avoid jokes that single out personal habits in a way that could embarrass family or friends.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Replace bracketed text with your details. Read these out loud and edit to sound like you.

Example 1: Manager short and professional, 2 to 3 minute version

Hello. I am Dana and I led the analytics team. We welcomed Alex as an intern in June and he quickly became indispensable. Alex was a brilliant problem solver who had a talent for turning messy data into clear stories. One Wednesday he stayed late to help a junior teammate finish a report. He did not need to do that. He did it because he cared about people doing good work. Outside of work he loved photography and capturing cityscapes. We will miss his curiosity, his quiet focus, and the way he made our team better. The company has set up a memorial fund with the family s permission and information is in the staff email. Please join me in a moment of silence for Alex.

Example 2: Coworker personal and brief under two minutes

Hi everyone. I am Fernando and I was on the marketing team with Maya. She had the best laugh and an obsession with fonts that made every slide look nicer. My favorite memory is her insisting we take a break with a playlist she curated. She made long days feel lighter. I am grateful to have worked with her. Thank you for being here to remember Maya.

Example 3: For a company wide meeting that acknowledges grief and resources

Good morning. I am Priya in HR. Today we gather to remember Jamie, who was with us this internship term. We are offering counseling through our employee assistance program. If you need time off please speak with your manager or HR. Jamie was generous and kind and always willing to test a feature that had not been tested before. Please be gentle with yourselves and with each other this week.

Example 4: Virtual tribute for a Slack or Teams announcement

We are heartbroken to share that our intern Noah passed away. He joined the team this spring and brought endless curiosity. We will post details about a memorial and how to support the family once they are ready. If this affects you please use our grief resources or reach out to HR. Noah loved late night coding playlists and he taught us a shortcut for batch renaming files that saved hours. We will miss him.

Fill in the blank templates

Template A: Manager eulogy

Hello. I am [Your Name] and I was [Intern s Name] supervisor on the [Team Name]. [Intern s Name] joined us from [School or City]. During their time here they worked on [project] and quickly showed [quality]. One memory that captures them is [short story]. They taught us [lesson or value]. We will miss [what people will miss]. The company will share information about supports and ways to help the family. Thank you for being here.

Template B: Coworker tribute

Hi everyone. I am [Your Name], and I sat next to [Intern s Name] on the [Team]. [Intern s Name] had a talent for [skill], and they never missed an opportunity to [small kind act]. My favorite memory is [funny or sweet moment]. We will miss their [trait]. Thank you for holding their memory with us.

Template C: Short company statement

We are sad to tell you that [Intern s Name] has died. They were part of our [Program Name] and contributed to [work]. We are offering grief counseling through [resource]. Please respect the family s privacy at this time. We will share memorial details when the family is ready.

Practical tips for delivery

• Keep it short in workplace settings One to three minutes is usually enough.
• Write and edit Draft, then cut. Shorter is better. Aim for clarity over flair.
• Practice out loud That helps with pacing and emotional beats.
• Bring a printed copy If you think you might cry a printed page is easier to hold than a phone.
• Mark pauses Put a note where you want to breathe or where others will respond.
• Coordinate with HR They can help you phrase policy related lines and provide resource links to share.
• Get permission Confirm with the family before you share personal stories or publish recordings.

If you are nervous about crying while speaking

Tears are normal. If you need to stop pause and breathe. Look down at your notes and take one breath between sentences. If you cannot continue ask a colleague or HR partner ahead of time to be ready to finish a short line. The audience will understand. Often fewer words delivered slowly are more meaningful.

How to include mention of donations or memorial funds

Only mention donations or a memorial fund if the family has explicitly asked for it. Keep the language simple such as The family has requested donations be made to [charity name] in [Intern s Name] memory. Include a link in a company email rather than reading a long explanation aloud.

Logistics and who to tell

• Coordinate with HR before sending any company wide messages.
• Ask the family if they want the company to send flowers or make a donation.
• Decide whether the memorial will be public or private and respect the family s wishes.
• Provide grief resources and time off information in any company communication.

Checklist before you step up to speak

• Confirm the family s preferences for public details.
• Check with HR about policies and resources to mention.
• Print your remarks and bring a backup.
• Practice three times out loud.
• Mark emotional pauses and the moment to invite silence.
• Arrange for someone to finish a line if needed.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech honoring a person who has died. It focuses on memories and character.
• Obituary A written notice with basic facts about a death and service information.
• HR Human resources. The department that handles employee relations and benefits.
• Bereavement leave Time off offered after a death. Check your company policy for details.
• Employee assistance program or EAP A benefit that often includes counseling and grief support for employees.
• Memorial service A gathering to remember someone who has died. It can be formal or informal.
• Condolence An expression of sympathy or support to the bereaved.

Frequently asked questions

Who should give a eulogy for an intern

Often a manager, mentor, or close coworker is asked to speak. Sometimes coworkers who were close friends of the intern will offer remarks. Check with HR and the family so the speaker chosen matches the family s wishes.

What if the family wants privacy

If the family asks for privacy respect that request. The company can offer internal support to employees and provide grief resources without sharing personal details. A short internal note can say the family has requested privacy and that supports are available.

Should I mention the cause of death

Do not mention cause of death unless the family has publicly shared it or has given permission. If the cause is not public you can acknowledge grief in a general way by saying we are mourning the loss of [Name] and offering resources for employees.

How do I balance professional and personal tone

Start professional to set the context and then move to a personal memory that shows character. Keep stories brief and respectful. You can close with company resources and a note about how to support the family if that has been approved.

Can I share a recording of the eulogy

Ask the family for permission before posting any recordings online. For internal sharing it is still best to check with HR and the family. Some families prefer a private grieving process.

What resources should the company share

Mention counseling through your employee assistance program, bereavement leave policies, and a point of contact in HR for time off or flexible schedules. Provide links in email or the company intranet.