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

Writing a eulogy for your supervisor can feel strange and heavy at the same time. You want to be respectful, true, and professional while also sharing the human side of someone who mattered at work. This guide walks you through what a eulogy for a supervisor can look like, gives clear templates, and offers examples for different workplace situations. We explain terms you might not know and give practical tips for delivery so you can speak with confidence.

Who this guide is for

This article is for any person asked to speak about a supervisor at a funeral, memorial, or workplace remembrance. Maybe you were their direct report, maybe they were a mentor from across the office, or maybe you managed them in a small team. If your relationship was formal, friendly, or complicated this guide will help you find the right tone and shape for your words.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors someone who has died. It often appears as part of a funeral or memorial service. A eulogy is personal. It is a story. It is different from an obituary, which is a written notice with facts like birth date and service details. A eulogy gives the audience a sense of who the person was and why they mattered.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice announcing a death and usually giving service information and basic biographical details.
• Order of service The plan for the event listing the sequence of readings, music, and speakers. It helps everyone know where the eulogy fits.
• Officiant The person leading the ceremony. This can be a religious leader, a funeral director, or a coworker if the event is informal.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on memories, photos, and stories rather than rituals.
• Condolence message A brief written message of sympathy often sent to family or posted in a memory book.

How long should a eulogy for a supervisor be

Keep it short and focused. Aim for three to five minutes. That usually translates to 400 to 700 spoken words. In a workplace setting people appreciate brevity. A concise tribute that highlights character and contribution will feel professional and meaningful at the same time.

Before you start writing

Preparation helps you avoid awkward moments and keeps the tone right.

• Check with family or the officiant Confirm what the family and the person leading the service want. They may prefer a more formal tone or a casual celebration.
• Ask about company representation Some organizations handle workplace statements through HR. Make sure speaking is okay and that timing fits the order of service.
• Decide tone Will this be formal, warm, funny, or a mix? Consider the company culture and the supervisor s personality. If they loved jokes and the family is okay with it a light touch can be comforting.
• Collect memories Ask a few coworkers for one short story or memory each. That avoids you repeating the same points and can surface a great anecdote you did not know.
• Choose three focus points Pick three things you want listeners to remember about the supervisor. Three keeps the speech clear and memorable.

Structure that works

A simple structure gives you permission to be human while keeping the message clear. Use this shape.

• Opening Say who you are and why you are speaking. Offer one short sentence that sets the tone.
• Work sketch Briefly describe the supervisor s role and the practical impact they had at work.
• Anecdotes Share one or two short stories that reveal character and leadership style.
• Lessons and traits Summarize what the supervisor taught coworkers or how they changed the workplace culture.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, an invitation to remember, or a short reading that fits the tone.

How to write the opening

The opening should be simple and grounding. Say your name and your relationship to the supervisor. Then give one sentence about the purpose of your words.

Opening examples

• Hello. I am Priya and I was Sam s product team lead. I am honored to say a few words about how Sam made work feel like a place to belong.
• Good afternoon. My name is Marcus and I had the privilege of reporting to Elaine for five years. Today we are here to remember her sharp mind and her softer heart.
• Hi everyone. I am Olivia from HR. I am here to share how Jordan changed our team with small acts that added up to something big.

How to write the work sketch

The work sketch is not a resume. Pick the facts that show the supervisor s role and their contribution to people and projects. Avoid listing every job responsibility. Focus on the human effect of their work.

Work sketch templates

• [Name] joined [company] in [year] as [role]. They led [team or project] and were known for [a leadership trait].
• [Name] cared about both results and people. They pushed for excellence and also for weekly team lunches where everyone felt heard.

Anecdotes that matter

Stories are what people remember. Keep them short, specific, and with a clear point. A good anecdote shows rather than tells. Aim for scenes with one sensory detail and a short payoff.

Examples of short workplace anecdotes

• During a late night launch Sam ordered pizza for the whole team and stayed to test until order was perfect. That was his way of saying we were in it together.
• Elaine used to stand at our row of desks and ask about weekend plans. She remembered names and who needed a day off. That small notice made the office feel like a neighborhood.
• Jordan had a rule that every meeting ends with one new idea. It forced us to think forward even when we were tired and it made our projects better over time.

Addressing workplace complexity

Relationships with supervisors can be complicated. You may have admired them, disagreed with them, or both. You can be honest without being inappropriate. Avoid gossip. Mention complexity as a human truth and then focus on what people can learn or remember.

Examples for complicated relationships

• Sam pushed hard and sometimes that pressure was tough. It also helped the team reach things we did not think possible. I am grateful for the chances and for the tough love.
• We did not always agree with Elaine s approach. Over time I came to see how her standards made space for new leaders to grow. That is a gift I carry forward.
• Jordan could be blunt. That bluntness was paired with a fierce loyalty to his team. If he challenged you it was often because he believed you could do more.

Using humor at a workplace memorial

Humor can lift a heavy room but be cautious. Use small earned jokes that reflect the person and that the family would appreciate. Avoid sarcasm that could be misread. Test any joke with someone who knew the supervisor well.

Safe humor examples

• Sam had a sacred mug that survived three moves and one dishwasher protest. It was clearly his most reliable startup asset.
• Elaine had a collection of conference tote bags from every trade show. She called them professional trophies and guarded them like family heirlooms.

What to avoid when speaking about a supervisor

• Avoid confidential company details. A funeral is not the place to air internal issues or sensitive information.
• Avoid gossip or negative office politics. Keep the focus on memory and honor, not blame.
• Avoid long lists of job duties. People want the person, not the job description.
• Avoid jokes that could embarrass family members or coworkers who are grieving.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples. Replace bracketed text with your details and edit for voice.

Example 1: Warm and professional, three to four minute version

Hello. I am Maya and I had the honor of reporting to Daniel for six years. Daniel joined our company as head of design and within a year he had turned our creative process into something everyone could be proud of.

He had a way of asking one steady question at the end of a meeting. He would say what can we make better tomorrow and then listen. That question reshaped how we worked. It made iteration feel like progress not punishment.

One moment that stays with me is when our prototype failed two days before a client demo. Daniel canceled his dinner plans, sat with the team until 2 a.m., and suggested a simple pivot that saved the presentation. He never made a show of it and he never wanted thanks. He just expected us to try again.

He taught us to balance craft and kindness. He pushed us to be better and he also made sure to celebrate the small wins. I will miss his steady questions, the gentle critiques, and the playlists he insisted on playing in the studio. Please join me in a moment of silence and then in sharing one small memory of Daniel with someone near you. Thank you.

Example 2: Short corporate statement under two minutes

Good afternoon. I am Alan from operations. On behalf of our team I want to acknowledge how much we will miss Claire. She led with clarity and with heart. Claire believed in process and in people. We are grateful for the systems she left behind and for how she made work kinder. Thank you for joining us to remember her.

Example 3: Light with a human touch for a beloved coworker supervisor

Hi everyone. I am Pri and I worked with Tomas on the analytics team. Tomas loved spreadsheets and coffee equally. He had a tiny mug that probably held more optimism than liquid. He also had a habit of bringing back snacks from every business trip. He believed snacks were morale infrastructure. Tomas made the office easier to be in and he made us laugh on days that needed it. We will miss his steady jokes and his careful work.

Templates you can use and personalize

Copy one of these and fill in the blanks. Read it out loud and cut anything that sounds forced.

Template A: Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I was [Supervisor s Name] direct report on the [Team Name]. [Supervisor s Name] joined [Company] in [Year] and led with [one leadership trait]. One memory that shows who they were is [brief story]. They taught me [lesson or value]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for coming together to remember them.

Template B: For a complicated dynamic

My name is [Your Name]. I had a complicated but meaningful working relationship with [Supervisor s Name]. We did not always agree on approach but I always respected [their strength]. In the end I learned [lesson]. If I could say one thing now it would be [short line you want to say].

Template C: Short company statement

Hello. I am [Your Name] from [Department]. On behalf of our team I want to thank you for coming. [Supervisor s Name] brought [trait] to every meeting. They cared about results and about people. We will miss their leadership and their quiet ways of making us better.

Delivery tips for speaking while grieving

• Print your speech Use large font and bring a backup copy. Paper can be less distracting than a phone screen when emotions are high.
• Use index cards One to two lines per card keeps you moving and reduces the chance of losing your place.
• Mark emotional beats Put a bracket where you want to pause to breathe or where you expect the room to react. Pauses are powerful.
• Practice out loud Read your words to a friend or to yourself. Practice helps your voice find a steady rhythm.
• Bring tissues Carry a handkerchief or tissues. If you need a moment pause, breathe, and continue when you can.
• Arrange a backup If you think you might not be able to finish ask a coworker to be ready to step in and finish a sentence or two.

Logistics to check before the event

• Confirm your time limit with the family or officiant and with HR if the workplace is involved.
• Ask about microphone availability and where you will stand.
• If the event is hybrid or recorded check if you should prepare written remarks to be shared later.
• Provide a copy of your remarks to the person running the order of service so they can keep the schedule on track.

What to say if you are not ready to speak

It is okay to say no. Offer a short written tribute instead. Emailing a memory to the family or HR, or submitting something for the memory book is a respectful option. If you want to speak but worry about emotional overwhelm propose a brief reading or invite someone else to co present with you so you can share the load.

Including readings, poems, or music

If you want to include a short reading pick two to four lines rather than reading a long piece. Ask the family if a particular poem or song is meaningful. In workplace memorials a simple motivational quote or a short poem about work life balance can be appropriate. Confirm timing with the officiant so the reading fits the order of service.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Officiant Person leading the ceremony. This could be a minister, a funeral director, or a colleague depending on the event style.
• Order of service The plan for the memorial listing who speaks and when. It helps the event flow smoothly.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering where stories and photos are the focus instead of ritual.
• HR Human Resources. The company department that often coordinates workplace communications and official statements after a death.
• Condolence message A short written note of sympathy often shared with family or placed in a memory book.

Frequently asked questions

Who should speak about a supervisor

Typically a direct report, a colleague who worked closely with them, or a company representative from HR speaks. The family or officiant may ask specific people. If you are unsure check with HR or a family contact to confirm who is expected to speak.

What if the company wants to make a statement

If the company is preparing a formal statement coordinate with HR. Your personal remarks should be distinct from the official company message. Keep your personal memories brief and human, and avoid sharing sensitive company information.

Can I include work achievements

Yes but keep achievements short and humanize them. Rather than listing metrics talk about how the supervisor s work affected people and culture. People come to remember the person not metrics.

How do I handle tears while speaking

Pause, take a breath, and look at your notes. Slow your pace. If you cannot continue have a coworker ready to finish a sentence or two. The audience will be supportive and will wait for you to continue.

Should I mention company problems or disputes

No. A memorial is not the place to resolve workplace disputes. Keep the focus on memory, respect, and what the supervisor meant to people. If there are unresolved issues direct them to appropriate channels later.

Is it okay to share a funny story about work

Yes if the story is kind and the family is comfortable with humor. Small, earned jokes about office quirks often help people breathe. Avoid anything that could embarrass others or that discloses private matters.