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

Writing a eulogy for a nun can feel different from writing for a friend or family member. There are religious rituals, community protocols, and a particular vocabulary. You might be a fellow sister, a family member, or a lay friend who loved her work in a school clinic soup kitchen or parish. This guide gives straightforward steps, explains terms you might not know, and offers ready to use examples and templates so you can speak with clarity and heart.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a nun at a wake vigil funeral service or celebration of life. Maybe you are a sister chosen by the community to offer a remembrance. Maybe you are a niece or former student who wants to honor what the sister gave to people around her. Maybe you are nervous about religious language or unsure what is appropriate to say in a Mass. There are examples for different tones and roles so you can pick one that fits.

What is a eulogy and how is it different for a nun

A eulogy is a short speech that honors a person who has died. For a nun the basic purpose is the same. You tell stories and reflect on the person s life. The context is often more formal and intertwined with community life and religious ritual. There may be a vigil wake a wake prayer and a funeral Mass. In some traditions the priest gives the homily and eulogies are discouraged during Mass. Always check with the superior or the priest about timing and appropriateness.

Terms you might see and what they mean

• Sister A woman who has entered religious life. Some communities prefer the title Sister and others use the title Mother for senior nuns. Use the title the community uses.
• Nun A member of a religious order who usually follows a cloistered contemplative life. In casual speech the words sister and nun are often used interchangeably. Ask the community if you are unsure.
• Order The religious community or congregation the nun belonged to like the Sisters of Mercy or the Dominican Sisters. Each order has its charism or special focus such as education social justice or prayer.
• Novitiate The period of initial training and formation when a person enters religious life.
• Profession The formal vows the sister made. Temporary profession is followed by final profession.
• Vows The promises made usually of poverty chastity and obedience. They shape how the sister lived and served.
• Vigil A formal wake prayer usually held the evening before the funeral.
• Funeral Mass A funeral service in the Catholic tradition that includes the Eucharist. Check with the priest about eulogy guidelines during Mass.

How long should the eulogy be

Keep it short and focused. Aim for three to seven minutes. That is about four hundred to eight hundred spoken words. If multiple people will speak confirm the total time allowed so the funeral stays on schedule. A few remembered moments are better than a long list of achievements.

Before you start writing

• Talk to the community leader Ask the superior or the funeral coordinator how the community would like the sister to be named in the program and where your remarks should happen.
• Confirm if Mass will include a eulogy Many priests prefer reflections during the wake instead of the Mass itself. Ask so you do not interrupt liturgical practice.
• Decide the tone Should you be formal and reverent warm and conversational or gently humorous while still respectful? Ask a close sister or family member what tone fits best.
• Collect memories Gather stories from fellow sisters former students parishioners or family. Ask for one short memory each so you do not get overloaded.
• Choose two or three focus points For example vocation teaching kindness hospitality or a particular ministry. Those points give your remarks shape.

Structure that works for a eulogy for a nun

Use a simple shape to keep it clear and memorable.

• Opening Say who you are and what your relationship was to the sister. Offer a single sentence that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview that touches on birthplace entrance to religious life main ministries and any notable service. Keep dates minimal unless they clarify a point.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that show character. Pick stories that reveal how she lived her vows or how she touched people s lives.
• Impact Describe what people will remember and what lessons she taught by example.
• Closing Offer a farewell line a brief prayer excerpt or an invitation to remembrance like sharing a moment of silence or singing a favorite hymn.

Writing the opening

Open with your name and how you knew the sister. Then add one sentence that explains why the day matters. Keep it plain and honest.

Opening examples

• Hello my name is Anna and I taught at Saint Mark School with Sister Agnes for fifteen years. Today we remember how she made math feel like a kindness.
• I am Sister Lucia from the Dominican community. We are here to give thanks for Maria s generous life and to trust her into God s hands.
• Hi everyone I am James and I worked with Sister Joan at the food pantry. She showed me that listening was part of feeding people.

Life sketch notes to include

Keep the life sketch short. Mention the order the main ministries and any personal passions. Avoid listing every job. Make choices that support the story you want to tell.

Life sketch template

[Name] entered the [Order name] in [year or decade]. She taught at [school name] served in parish ministry and ran the community soup kitchen for [number] years. She loved [hobby or trait] and she was known for [specific habit or saying].

Anecdotes that matter

Stories make a person alive in the room. For a nun focus on moments that show vocation generosity humor or humility. Keep anecdotes short sensory and with a small payoff that explains why they matter.

Short anecdote examples

• Sister Anne kept a small tin of peppermint candies in her pocket. She gave them out after difficult meetings to remind people to breathe and keep going.
• One winter she walked across the frozen yard to check on an elderly neighbor even though she did not have to. She returned smiling with two pairs of warm socks in her habit pocket.
• At graduation she always refused to take the credit. She said she felt blessed to be the one who witnessed young people find their courage.

How to handle religious language

Some people in the audience may be deeply religious others not at all. Use clear simple language and explain terms when needed. If you quote scripture keep the reference short and familiar. If you use a phrase like consecrated life add a short clause to explain it for people who do not know the term.

When the relationship is complicated

Not every relationship with a nun is simple especially if she was a strict teacher or disciplined superior. You can be honest and compassionate without airing grievances. Acknowledge complexity briefly and return to a grateful or reflective tone.

Examples for complicated relationships

• My time with Sister Bernadette was strict and at times hard. She expected excellence and I resented it then. Now I see how much those demands taught me to respect my work and myself.
• She could be blunt and direct. That directness helped many students find purpose when they needed it most. I am grateful for that clarity even when it stung.

Using gentle humor

A little humor can be comforting. Use small observations that feel earned and never belittling. Humorous lines should humanize and connect rather than shock.

Safe humor examples

• Sister Claire had a secret love of crossword puzzles. She called them prayer with ink. She could silence a noisy classroom with a raised eyebrow and a clue.
• She baked the best banana bread but pretended not to like compliments. We learned to deliver praise with a swift thank you and an extra slice taken away.

What to avoid

• Do not use private community issues as anecdotes. Respect vows of confidentiality and the community s privacy.
• Do not turn the eulogy into a political sermon even if the sister had strong views. You can honor her commitments without reigniting debates.
• Do not read a long list of dates and titles without stories that make them human.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are several examples to adapt. Replace bracket text with your details. Read them aloud and edit for your voice.

Example 1: Formal community eulogy by a fellow sister

Good afternoon I am Sister Margaret and I am speaking on behalf of the Sisters of Saint Catherine. Sister Elizabeth entered our community in nineteen eighty two and made her final profession in nineteen eighty nine. She taught at Saint Mary School for twenty four years and later served as director of pastoral care at Saint Luke s Hospital.

Sister Elizabeth believed that presence mattered more than words. Families who arrived at the hospital at midnight found her sitting quietly in the waiting room with a thermos of tea and a willingness to listen. She carried the weight of others with a lightness that taught us how to accompany people in sorrow and joy.

One memory that shows who she was involves a small boy who lost his favorite toy. Sister Elizabeth organized a search party that turned into an afternoon of games and stories. The toy reappeared in the end but what stayed with the family was the way she turned panic into play until help arrived. That was her ministry. That was her gift.

We will miss her prayer we will miss her steady presence and we will try to honor her by doing the small things she taught us matter. May she rest in peace.

Example 2: Short modern eulogy by a former student

Hi I am Maria. Sister Hannah taught me history and she taught me how to show up. I still remember the first day she handed back a paper with a single note at the top You can do better than this and then a small smile that did not scold. She pushed me and she believed in me. Years later when I became a teacher she sent a card that said Keep going and a joke about chalk dust. She made me want to be patient and brave for my students. Thank you Sister Hannah for that push and for your homework that somehow smelled of orange oil. We will miss you.

Example 3: Gentle humorous eulogy by a lay colleague

Hello I am Tom and I worked with Sister Joan at the community kitchen. If you ever wanted to learn efficiency take a shift with her. She labeled everything and then asked me politely why I opened the soup tin from the top instead of the side. She taught us order and mercy at the same time. She also had a soft spot for bad jokes which she called adult education. I will miss her rules and her laughter in equal measure.

Example 4: Eulogy for a contemplative nun by a family member

My aunt Sister Mary lived most of her adult life in prayer. She spent long hours in the chapel and she loved letter writing. When I visited she would hand me a paper with a few lines of encouragement and a small sketch of a bird. Those letters kept me through hard days. Even though we saw her less often she shaped my life with a quiet faith and consistent kindness. Thank you for that steady love.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to draft quickly. Fill in details and then read aloud to make it sound personal.

Template A Classic short community tribute

Hello my name is [Your Name]. I am a member of [Order name] and I had the joy of working with Sister [Name] for [number] years. She served as [role] and loved [passion]. One story that shows who she was is [brief story]. She taught me [lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here to remember her.

Template B Layperson simple and warm

Hi I am [Your Name]. I met Sister [Name] at [place]. She always greeted people with [habit]. My favorite memory is [short story]. She showed me [quality]. I am grateful for her example and for the way she made this community better. Thank you Sister [Name].

Template C For a complicated relationship

I am [Your Name]. My relationship with Sister [Name] was not simple. She pushed me and sometimes it hurt. Over time I saw that she pushed because she believed in me. I want to say thank you for the hard love and for the growth it brought. May she rest in peace.

Practical tips for delivery

• Know the order Confirm where you will speak at the vigil or funeral and who will introduce you.
• Print your remarks Use large font and bring a backup copy. Paper feels safer than scrolling on a phone in an emotional moment.
• Use index cards One or two lines per card help you breathe and stay on track.
• Mark pauses Note where the audience might laugh or where you want a breath. Pauses help you collect yourself.
• Practice out loud Read to a friend to check the tone and length.
• Respect liturgy If the funeral includes a Mass check with the priest so the eulogy does not interfere with the homily or rites.
• Bring tissues Or a handkerchief. If you pause to cry that is human and expected.

How to include readings music and prayers

Short readings work best. Psalms or brief scripture passages are common. If you want to include a poem choose two to four lines rather than an entire long piece. Music can be a favorite hymn played before or after remarks. Always check with the officiant and the community so rituals stay respectful.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the superior or funeral contact if you will need a microphone or printed copies.
• Coordinate with the person running the order of service so your remarks fit the schedule.
• Offer to provide a copy of your remarks for the archive if the community wants it.

Checklist before you step up to speak

• Confirm your time limit with the community leader or priest.
• 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 if allowed.

Glossary of useful terms

• Homily A short reflection usually delivered by a priest during a Mass. A homily focuses on scripture and the liturgy and is not the same as a eulogy.
• Vigil The evening prayer or wake held before the funeral to pray and remember the deceased.
• Final profession The permanent vows a sister makes after years in the community.
• Charism The particular spiritual gift or mission of a religious order such as teaching healthcare or prayer.
• Convent The residence of a community of sisters. Some are apostolic communities and some are contemplative communities.

Frequently asked questions

Can a eulogy be given during a funeral Mass

Ask the priest. In many places the homily is meant to be the liturgical reflection and eulogies are given at the vigil or at a separate time. The priest or funeral coordinator will tell you the local practice.

What if I do not know much about the sister s early life

Focus on what you do know such as her service her habits or one clear memory. It is fine to be honest and say you will speak about the person as you knew her. The community may provide a short life sketch to fill in additional biographical details.

Should I use the sister s religious name or given name

Follow the community s preference. Some sisters are known primarily by their religious name and others by their given name. If you are unsure ask a sister or the superior. Using the community s preferred form is a sign of respect.

How do I be respectful without being overly formal

Use plain language and focus on concrete stories. Respect comes from honesty and care not from heavy theological language. If you quote scripture keep it short and familiar and add a simple explanation for listeners who may be new to the faith.

Can I share a personal story that includes jokes

Yes but keep the humor gentle and kind. If the story might embarrass someone ask permission from close family or the community first. The goal is to comfort and remember not to create new discomfort.