How to Write a Eulogy for Your Lab Supervisor - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for a lab supervisor can feel awkward and important at the same time. Your supervisor mattered in your work life and probably in your personal development. You want to honor them without turning the talk into an academic lecture or a paper citation list. This guide gives a clear plan, workplace specific tips, and ready to use examples you can adapt. We explain any terms you might not know and show how to include research achievements in plain language. Read through, pick a template, and start writing with confidence.

Who this guide is for

This article is for grad students, postdocs, research technicians, lab managers, and coworkers who have been asked to speak about a lab supervisor at a funeral, memorial, departmental gathering, or a virtual service. Maybe you were the person who presented at meetings most often or maybe you were the friendly face who brought coffee. Maybe the relationship was mentorship heavy or it was professional and polite. That is fine. There are sample scripts for formal academic settings, casual lab memorials, short workplace tributes, and complicated relationships.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a spoken tribute that honors someone who has died. It often appears as part of a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. A eulogy is different from an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that shares factual details like birth and death dates, survivors, and service arrangements. A eulogy is personal. It is a story about who that person was to people in the room.

Terms you might see

• PI This stands for principal investigator. The PI is the person who leads the research group and secures funding. In many labs the PI is the lab supervisor.
• Departmental memorial A gathering hosted by the academic department to remember a faculty or staff member.
• Program or order of service The schedule for an event listing readings, music, and speakers. Think of it as the event program.
• Obituary A written notice about a death that usually includes biographical facts and service details.
• HR Human resources. In institutions HR might help with internal communications and can advise about official statements.
• Cv or CV Curriculum vitae. A list of a professional s research, teaching, and publications. You may reference it if the family wants an academic tribute.
• Open lab memorial A casual gathering that may happen in the lab space or a meeting room where coworkers share memories.

How long should a eulogy be

Short and specific is better than long and vague. Aim for three to five minutes. That usually translates to 400 to 700 spoken words. In academic events you may have slightly longer slots but check with the family or organizer first. If many people will speak, keep yours on the shorter side so everyone who wants to share has time.

Before you start writing

Preparation will make your words calmer and more honest. Use this quick checklist.

• Talk to the family Check what kind of event they want and whether they prefer a formal academic emphasis or personal stories.
• Confirm time and audience Are you speaking to a department, to the lab, or to a mixed audience of family and colleagues? That affects tone and content.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be formal, heartfelt, a bit funny, or a mix? Academic audiences often appreciate a balance of professional achievements and personal anecdotes.
• Gather material Ask lab members for one memory each. Collect one or two stories that show character. You can also note one or two key achievements to mention in plain language.
• Check with HR if needed If your institution handles messaging, they may want to review public statements or event plans.

Structure that works for a lab supervisor

A clear structure helps you and the audience. Use this shape.

• Opening Say who you are and why you are speaking. Set the tone with one simple sentence about the supervisor s impact.
• Life sketch in plain language Briefly mention roles like mentor, researcher, teacher, colleague, parent, or friend. Avoid long lists of awards without context.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character. Keep them concise and human.
• Professional note Summarize research impact in a sentence or two that anyone can understand. Explain why their work mattered outside technical jargon.
• Closing Offer a memory, a quote, a call to action such as contributing to a scholarship fund, or an invitation to share memories after the formal remarks.

How to write the opening

The opening is where you set the stage. Keep it simple. Start with your name and your relationship to the supervisor. Then say one sentence about why you are here.

Opening examples

• Hi. I am Jasmine and I worked in Dr. Patel s lab for five years. Today we are here to remember the person who taught us to question results and to never skip coffee break conversation.
• Hello. I am Aaron, a postdoc in the Nguyen lab. I am honored to say a few words about our supervisor and friend, Professor Nguyen.
• Good afternoon. My name is Maria and I was the lab manager. I want to share one small way she made our lab a kinder place to do hard work.

How to write the life sketch

The life sketch is not a CV read aloud. Pick the facts that matter for the story you are telling. Use plain language and avoid listing every grant. Focus on roles that people in the room will recognize.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was our principal investigator and a researcher who studied [broad field]. She taught generations of students and loved mentoring curiosity. Outside the lab she enjoyed [hobby or interest].
• [Name] joined our department in [year]. He ran a busy lab that combined rigorous work with thoughtful mentorship. He was also a parent, a singer in the choir, and a tireless advocate for student wellbeing.

Anecdotes that matter in a lab setting

Stories stick. Share specific, sensory memories. Keep them brief and end with why they matter.

Lab anecdote examples

• She had a ritual of making new students bring cookies on their first lab meeting. The cookies turned awkward introductions into conversations about life outside experiments.
• At the annual retreat he would present his data in a sock puppet voice to remind us to stay humble about our work. It was silly and it made stressful results feel manageable.
• She would stay late to help a student fix a protocol. It was not the technical fix that mattered most. It was that she sat with them until they felt confident to try again.

How to include research and achievements without jargon

Colleagues may want to hear about the supervisor s discoveries while family members may benefit from plain language. Translate technical milestones into everyday meaning.

Examples of translation

• Instead of saying he discovered a new biomarker for cancer subtypes say he helped find a way to detect certain cancers earlier so treatments could start sooner.
• Instead of listing grant numbers say she led a team that built tools other labs now use, making experiments faster and more reliable for many researchers.
• When mentioning students trained, say he mentored dozens of students who now work in hospitals, companies, and classrooms, carrying his careful approach forward.

Addressing workplace politics and complex relationships

Not every workplace relationship is simple. If there were tensions you do not need to air private grievances. You can be honest and respectful without being hurtful.

Examples for complicated or mixed relationships

• Our relationship was not always easy. He pushed us hard and we pushed back. In the end I learned how to stand for my students and for good science because of those hard conversations.
• She held high standards and sometimes that felt overwhelming. Still she taught me to ask better questions and to care about reproducibility more than recognition. Those lessons matter.
• If you had a gentle reconciliation you might say We had difficult years but we also had many small reconciliations. Those quiet moments taught me a lot about forgiveness and growth.

Using humor the right way in an academic setting

Light humor can ease grief. Use gentle, earned jokes about habits or quirks. Avoid anything that would embarrass family members or belittle people in the room.

Safe humor examples

• He had a special talent for turning every meeting into a debate about coffee. His mug collection could have been a small museum.
• She loved complicated diagrams. If you wanted to win an argument you drew a slightly more complicated diagram and she would smile and concede.

What to avoid in a workplace eulogy

• Avoid turning the eulogy into an HR complaint session or a place for unresolved disputes.
• Avoid heavy technical detail that leaves non scientists confused. Keep it human.
• Avoid sharing confidential lab information or unpublished data.
• Avoid jokes that single out staff in a way that would embarrass them.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples tailored to common lab supervisor situations. Replace bracketed text with your details and practice reading them out loud.

Example 1: Formal departmental tribute, 4 to 5 minute version

Hello. I am Dr. Omar Lee, an alum of Professor Chang s lab. It is an honor to speak on behalf of the department for a person who shaped modern approaches to environmental chemistry and who mentored so many of us.

Professor Chang joined our department in 1998. Her work focused on how pollutants move through rivers. In everyday terms she helped us understand how contaminants travel and where to look to protect communities. She published widely but her lasting gift was the students she trained. Many of us now work in public health and policy because she taught us to link data to real people s lives.

One image I will always carry is her insistence on the lab whiteboard. No matter how busy she was she would walk by, circle a messy sentence we thought was finished, and write the words Make it clear for your grandma. She wanted every paper to speak plainly to people outside our field. That was her generosity.

She taught us to work rigorously and to argue kindly. She loved Saturdays at the farmer s market and she once brought back a basket of peaches that we all fought over like children. We will miss her curiosity and her fierce kindness. Thank you for being here today to remember her.

Example 2: Short lab memorial under two minutes

Hi everyone. I am Priya from the Lewis lab. Dr. Lewis taught me how to pipette properly and how to laugh when an experiment goes wrong. She pushed us to be better scientists and kinder mentors. I will miss her steady presence and the way she made the lab feel like a team. Thank you for being here and for holding space for her memory.

Example 3: Mentor who was tough but loved learning, honest and respectful

My name is Ben. I was a graduate student under Dr. Morales. She was direct and demanding. Sometimes that was hard. Most of the time it was exactly what I needed. When my results failed she would not let me take shortcuts. She would sit with me, ask why, and then hand me a notebook and say Try again with curiosity. That made me a better scientist and a better teacher. I am grateful for that stubborn kindness.

Example 4: Celebration of life tone with warmth and humor

Hello. I am Hannah, a technician in Dr. Rivera s lab. If you ever met him you know he had two loves, science and salsa dancing. He would review a student s data then lead a spontaneous salsa break in the hallway. He taught us to take our work seriously and to enjoy life outside the incubator. We will miss his music and his exacting notes in the lab notebook. Today we celebrate both his brilliance and his playlist.

Fill in the blank templates

Choose a template and fill in the blanks. Edit the language to sound like you. Read it out loud and trim anything that sounds forced.

Template A: Formal departmental

Hello. I am [Your Name] and I worked with [Supervisor s Name] in the [lab or department]. [Supervisor s Name] joined [institution] in [year] and led work on [broad research area]. In everyday terms their work helped [explain impact simply]. More than the research they were a mentor who [one personal quality]. One short story that shows who they were is [brief anecdote]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here to remember them.

Template B: Short lab memory

Hi. I am [Your Name], a [role] in the [lab name]. [Supervisor s Name] taught me [practical lesson]. My favorite memory is [short, concrete story]. I will miss their [quality]. Thank you for sharing this time with us.

Template C: Complicated relationship

My name is [Your Name]. My relationship with [Supervisor s Name] was complex. They pushed me hard and I pushed back. Over time I learned [lesson]. In the last [months or years] we [reconciled had important conversations found understanding]. If I could say one thing to them now it would be [short line you want to say].

Practical tips for delivery at a university or lab memorial

• Confirm logistics Find out who will introduce you, where you will stand, and whether a microphone will be available. If the event is virtual, test your audio and camera in advance.
• Coordinate with family and HR If the event is public, check with the family and with department communications on any wording they prefer.
• Use plain language Avoid dense academic jargon. Translate technical achievements into why they mattered to people.
• Keep a printed copy Use large font and have a backup copy. If you prefer, use index cards with one idea per card.
• Practice out loud Read your remarks to a friend or to a small group to check timing and tone.
• Bring tissues and water Grief shows up physically. A small sip can steady your voice.
• Set up a memory sharing time Invite people to share brief memories after the formal remarks. A time limit helps keep the event moving.

If you cry while speaking

Tears are normal. Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment take it. The audience will wait. Many people have a friend who will step in to finish a line if needed. Decide that plan ahead of time so you feel supported.

How to include readings, poems, and music at a lab memorial

Short readings work best. Pick a two to four line excerpt or a very brief poem that reflects the person s spirit. If you include music choose songs that mattered to them or that suit the tone of the event. For departmental services you might include a minute of reflective music between speakers.

Logistics and permissions

• Tell the department administrator if you plan to record the event or post it online. They may coordinate permissions.
• If you plan to mention specific research findings check with the family before mentioning unpublished work.
• If donations or a memorial fund are being organized provide information at the end of your remarks or in the program.

After the eulogy

People often ask for a copy. Offer to email your remarks to colleagues and family. Some families request the eulogy be included in a program or memorial booklet. You can also offer to collect short written memories from lab members and assemble them into a memory book.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• PI Principal investigator. The person who leads a research group.
• HR Human resources. The department that handles staff matters and institutional communications.
• Order of service The program that lists the sequence of events at a memorial or funeral.
• Obituary A written notice that announces a death and often includes details about the service and survivors.
• Departmental memorial A gathering hosted by an academic department to remember a colleague.
• CV Curriculum vitae. A summary of academic achievements and publications.
• Postdoc Short for postdoctoral researcher. A person who has completed a PhD and is doing additional training in research.
• Coworker A colleague who works with you in the same lab or department. Often used instead of saying colleague too many times.

Frequently asked questions

How do I balance mentioning research and personal memories

Lead with a brief plain language sentence about the research impact and then move to personal memories. For example say She helped us detect disease earlier so doctors could act sooner and then tell a short story about how she mentored students. That balances professional and human aspects.

Who should I check with before speaking

Check with the supervisor s family and with the event organizer. If the institution has an HR or communications office they may have guidance for public statements. Confirming avoids surprises.

What if I am not comfortable speaking publicly

Offer to write a short note that someone else can read or to collect written memories for a memory book. You can also ask a trusted colleague to introduce you so you only speak for a minute or two.

Can I mention difficult times or criticism

You can acknowledge complexity with dignity. Say something like Our relationship was not always easy but I learned important lessons about rigor and resilience. That keeps honesty without airing grievances.

Should I bring up unpublished data or grant details

Do not share confidential or unpublished details. Stick to published impact or to how the work mattered to people. If in doubt ask the family or senior colleagues.

How do I start if I am nervous

Start with your name and your relationship to the supervisor. Practice a short opening sentence until it feels steady. That simple ritual buys you a breath and anchors the audience.