How to Write a Eulogy for Your Shop Steward - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for a shop steward can feel different from writing one for a family member. The audience is part community and part workplace. You want to honor the person who stood up for co workers, who knew the contract, and who showed solidarity on the floor. This guide walks you through what to include, how to choose the right tone, and how to deliver words that feel honest and useful. We explain union terms you might see and give real examples and templates you can adapt.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone who has been asked to speak about a shop steward at a funeral, memorial, wake, union meeting, or celebration of life. Maybe you were the assistant steward who worked closely with them. Maybe you are a coworker who admired how they kept things fair. Maybe you are a family member who wants the workforce community to feel seen. There are sample scripts for short remarks, longer tributes, and tributes that balance labor pride with personal remembrance.

What is a shop steward

A shop steward is a worker elected or appointed by their union local to represent members in the workplace. A steward helps enforce the Collective Bargaining Agreement. They file grievances, talk to management on behalf of coworkers, and often handle day to day problems like scheduling issues and safety concerns. A steward can be a union leader without being a paid official. They are usually the person colleagues go to when something at work feels unfair.

Terms you might see and what they mean

• Union local The local branch of a union that represents workers at a company or in a region.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA The written contract between the union and the employer that sets wages, hours, benefits, and working conditions.
• Grievance A formal complaint filed under the CBA when a worker believes the contract or workplace rules were violated.
• Business agent A paid union representative who helps the local with negotiations and enforcement.
• Picket line A line of striking workers who are protesting at the workplace site. People are asked to respect picket lines during labor actions.
• Solidarity Mutual support among workers and unions. In practice it means standing up for one another at work and in the community.

How long should this kind of eulogy be

Short and precise tends to work best in a workplace context. Aim for two to five minutes. That usually translates to about 300 to 700 spoken words. If you are speaking at a memorial with many colleagues planning to talk, ask the family or union officers about the expected time so the service stays on schedule.

Before you write

Gathering a few key pieces of information will make the writing much easier.

• Ask about the venue and audience Will you be at a funeral home, union hall, or on the shop floor? Will management be present? Knowing the crowd helps you pick tone and wording.
• Check with family and union leadership Make sure family is comfortable with union or workplace references. Talk to the local president or business agent about what the union might want to include.
• Collect memories Ask coworkers for one or two specific stories about the steward. Ask the family for personal details you might not know like hobbies, family roles, or favorite lines.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be straightforward and professional, warm and personal, or a mix? Workplace funerals often accept a balance of labor pride and personal tenderness.
• Pick your three focus points Choose three things you want people to remember such as their commitment to safety, a memorable story of solidarity, and the human side like kindness or humor.

Structure that works

A clear structure helps listeners follow along and keeps you steady while speaking.

• Opening Say who you are and your connection to the steward. Include a short sentence to set the tone.
• Work roles Describe the steward s job at the workplace and the way they served the union and coworkers.
• Personal stories Offer one or two concrete anecdotes that reveal character. Keep them specific and sensory.
• Values and impact Summarize what they taught others or what the workplace will miss.
• Closing Offer a final line that feels like goodbye. This can be a quote, a call for solidarity, or a simple thank you.

What to include about the steward s union work

Be specific. People in the audience will know the jargon and will appreciate concrete examples.

• Explain what roles they handled such as filing grievances, mentoring new stewards, or chairing safety committees.
• Give one example where their actions changed an outcome. For instance they might have negotiated a shift swap rule or advocated for better PPE after a safety incident.
• Mention any elected roles in the local, awards, or years of service if appropriate.
• If they led a strike or major action, note the human side of that work not just the political result.

Anecdotes that land

Colleagues will remember the stories. Choose ones that show the steward s values in action.

Good short story templates

• Set up the problem. Describe a small tension like an unfair schedule or a safety hazard.
• Show the steward s action. What did they do to fix or mitigate the problem?
• Give the payoff. What changed because of their action and how did that affect people?

Example anecdote

There was a time when the machine guards were not working properly and several of us were worried. They refused to let anyone run the line until the guard was fixed. They called management and the safety rep and stayed on that machine until it was safe. That single day they kept someone from getting hurt and everyone on the floor saw what safety meant in practice.

Balancing labor pride and sensitivity

Union language is powerful. Use it if the family and audience are comfortable with it. If the steward s union identity was central to their life, mention solidarity, the CBA, and actions they were proud of. If the family prefers to keep things more personal, highlight the steward s kindness, work ethic, and how they helped coworkers one on one.

What to avoid

• Avoid airing active grievances or confidential matters. Do not reveal arbitration strategies, pending litigation, or private disciplinary details.
• Avoid using inflammatory language directed at individuals or the employer. A funeral is not the place to escalate workplace conflict.
• Avoid long lists of job titles without stories. People want the human beneath the roles.

How to honor picket line or strike history

If the steward played a visible role in strikes or pickets, you can honor that work with context. Say what they stood for and how it affected coworkers lives. Avoid calling for renewed action in a way that would make the family or venue uncomfortable. A phrase like They believed workers deserved dignity and safe conditions is a clear way to honor their activism.

How to include union symbols or rituals

Some locals prefer to include union colors, pins, a moment of solidarity, or a reading of a union leaflet. Check with the family and local officers. If you plan to lead a moment of silence or a short chant, ask whether it is appropriate in the venue. Keep chants short and respectful if used.

Examples you can adapt

Example 1: Short and work focused, about two minutes

Hello everyone. My name is Aaron and I worked with Miguel for eight years on the line. Miguel was our shop steward. He knew the contract forwards and backwards but what mattered most was how he listened. When a new person came in and did not know where to sign up for overtime he would walk them through it. When there was a dangerous machine, he would stop the line and make sure we were safe. His work did not feel like heroics. It was steady care. We will miss his laugh in the break room and the way he made sure everyone felt heard. Thank you Miguel for standing up for us.

Example 2: A longer tribute with a personal story, about four minutes

Hi. I am Lena, a member of Local 247 and a friend of Sam s for more than a decade. Sam was our steward for six years. People often picture stewards at a table with forms. Sam was that but he was also the person who showed up when a sister worker had a kid in the middle of a night shift and needed a ride to the hospital. Once there was a dispute about seniority posted on a bulletin board. Sam did the paperwork but he also spent evenings answering questions from people who felt left out. He made time for the small phone calls that no one else did. He taught many of us what it means to be union. He taught us to be patient, to keep good records, and to look out for one another. When the contract fight came last year he was out on the picket line every day. He would come back with a thermos of coffee for whoever needed it. That is how he showed love. He fought for fairness and cared for people. We are poorer for his absence and richer because he showed us how to show up. Thank you Sam for everything you did.

Example 3: For a steward who mentored others, with a bit of humor

Good afternoon. I am Jordan, former trainee under the great and somewhat terrifying steward we called Patty. Patty taught me two things. One, always keep a pen and a stapler in your back pocket. Two, never cross the lunchroom line where she had claimed the last donut. Patty was a hard worker and a tougher negotiator. She would sit with a complaint for hours and then find the one clause in the CBA that solved it. She also had a soft spot for new hires. She would make sure they knew how to sign up for overtime and how to call in sick without penalty. She was fierce and she was funny and we will miss her specific brand of care.

Example 4: Short personal eulogy from family perspective

Hello. I am Maria, his daughter. Dad loved his union and he loved the people he worked with. He came home with stories about a coworker s daughter s recital or a retiree s new garden. For him the union was family. Today we are grateful to hear those stories from his friends and coworkers. He taught us to stand up for what is fair and to be kind while doing it. Thank you for honoring him today.

Fill in the blank templates

Pick a template and fill in the brackets. Read it out loud and trim anything that sounds forced.

Template A: Short workplace-focused

My name is [Your Name]. I worked with [Steward s Name] for [number] years. [Steward s Name] was our shop steward and the person we trusted to file grievances and look out for safety. One memory that shows who they were is [brief story]. They taught us [value or lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for everything you did for us.

Template B: For steward who mentored

Hi. I am [Your Name]. [Steward s Name] took me under their wing when I started. They taught me how to read the CBA, how to document an incident, and how to speak with a manager without losing my cool. My favorite memory is [short story]. Their patience and craftsmanship at representing people changed my life and the lives of many others. We will remember them every time we stand up for each other.

Template C: Family voice that includes union identity

Hello. I am [Your Name], [Steward s Name] [son daughter sibling]. [Steward s Name] loved their job and their union. They believed in fairness, safety, and dignity for workers. One small example of how they lived that belief was [short story]. We will miss their jokes, their careful hands, and the way they came home tired but proud. Thank you for being part of their community.

Delivery tips for speaking at a union funeral or memorial

• Coordinate with the family and union leadership Ask if they want union references. Confirm whether anyone will lead union rituals before you speak.
• Keep a printed copy Use large font. Bring a backup. Emotions and busy environments make phones unreliable.
• Practice a few lines Practice the opening and the closing. That gives you a steady start and finish.
• Mark emotional beats Put a bracket where you want to pause to breathe or where the audience might applaud.
• Manage tone Speak slowly. If you become emotional, pause and breathe. The audience will wait.
• Respect confidentiality If asked about workplace incidents and disciplinary matters do not disclose confidential details.
• Use union language carefully Pride and solidarity are welcome. Avoid using incendiary language about the employer that could harm the family or escalate tensions.

Practical logistics

• Tell the funeral director or venue if you will display union banners or pins and check the venue s policy.
• Confirm audio needs such as a microphone or speaker so everyone in the room can hear you.
• Give a copy of your remarks to the person running the order of service in case they want to include it in a program or memory book.
• If you want to record the eulogy, check with the family before posting the recording online.

Glossary of union terms and acronyms

• Shop steward A worker elected or appointed to represent union members at the workplace.
• Union local The local branch of a union that represents workers at a company or region.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA The written contract between the union and employer that sets wages, hours, and conditions.
• Grievance A formal complaint filed under the CBA when a worker believes the contract was violated.
• Business agent A paid union representative who helps with negotiations and enforcement.
• Solidarity Mutual support among union members and allies.
• Picket line An organized protest by workers, often during a strike, held at the workplace site.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need permission to mention union matters at the funeral

Check with the family first. Most families appreciate hearing about their loved one s work, but some may want to focus on personal or family memories. Also check with your local union officers so any official union actions or statements are coordinated.

Can I wear union gear to the service

Yes you can, unless the family prefers otherwise or the venue has specific rules. If you choose to wear a union pin or jacket consider whether the setting calls for a more formal tone and dress accordingly.

Is it okay to use union slogans or chants

Short moments of solidarity can be powerful. Keep chants respectful and brief. Ask the family and officers ahead of time to make sure everyone is comfortable with that choice.

What if I am nervous speaking in front of coworkers and family

Start with your name and your relationship to the steward. Practice the opening out loud until it feels natural. Keep your remarks short and bring notes on paper. People will be supportive and understanding.

Should I mention ongoing disputes or grievances they were working on

Avoid discussing active disputes or confidential details. You can mention their commitment to justice and fairness without naming specifics that could affect ongoing cases.

How do I balance workplace language and personal stories

Lead with a brief description of their role and then move into a personal story that shows who they were beyond the job. That balance helps coworkers and family connect to the person being honored.