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

Saying a few words about a supplier who has died can feel surprisingly hard and important at the same time. Suppliers are often part business partner and part human presence. They might have been the person who picked up the phone at midnight, the owner who delivered the first batch of product themselves, or the logistics manager who taught your team how to be calmer under pressure. This guide walks you through how to write a respectful, meaningful eulogy for a supplier. We give practical structure, helpful language, templates you can customize, and real advice on tone and legal considerations.

Who this guide is for

If you are a small business owner, procurement manager, operations lead, account manager, or a colleague who worked closely with a supplier this article is for you. Maybe the supplier was a sole proprietor who became a friend. Maybe they ran a large distribution company and your team had a long partnership. Maybe the relationship was complicated. This guide gives options for short, formal, and personal remarks that fit different settings like a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or a company remembrance.

What is a eulogy for a supplier

A eulogy for a supplier is a short speech that honors the person from the supplier side who has died. It focuses on their humanity and on how they impacted your business and your team. It is not a business report. Keep the focus on memories, character, and gratitude. Also think about what is appropriate to say publicly about a professional relationship. Avoid disclosing private business details or pending disputes while still telling a true and kind story.

Terms and acronyms you might see

• Supplier A person or company that provides goods or services to your business. This can include manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and freelancers.
• Vendor Another word for supplier. Sometimes used interchangeably.
• PO Short for purchase order. This is the document your company issues to request goods or services. It contains quantities, prices, and terms.
• NDA Non disclosure agreement. A contract that protects confidential information. If you are under an NDA you should not share proprietary details in a public eulogy.
• B2B Business to business. It describes relationships and transactions between companies rather than with consumers.
• SKU Stock keeping unit. A unique identifier for a product. It is okay to mention a product generally but avoid listing SKUs or technical inventory details in a eulogy.
• OEM Original equipment manufacturer. If the supplier was an OEM partner you can note that relationship in simple terms without corporate specifics.

Who should give a eulogy for a supplier

Choose someone who had a real connection with the supplier. That might be the account lead, the founder who first struck the deal, the warehouse manager who worked daily with their team, or a CEO who admired their integrity. If the supplier had close personal friendships with your staff consider a joint tribute from a small group. If you are unsure what tone is appropriate check with the supplier s family or the person organizing the service.

How long should the eulogy be

For workplace related remarks aim for two to five minutes. That is about 300 to 700 words when spoken at a calm pace. Short and focused is better than trying to cover every transaction. A clear three minute story about character will land harder than a long list of logistics.

Before you start writing

• Check with family or organizer Ask whether the family would like the company to speak and whether they want business details included.
• Confirm timing Ask how long you may speak and where your remarks fit in the order of events.
• Gather memories Collect one or two stories from people who worked closely with the supplier. Ask for short anecdotes by message so you can weave them into the speech.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be formal, warm, slightly humorous, or a mix? A business tribute often balances respect with moments of warmth.
• Clear legal checks If you are unsure about confidentiality ask your legal team whether any information is off limits. Do not mention unresolved disputes.

Structure that works for a supplier eulogy

Use a simple shape to keep your remarks coherent.

• Opening Say who you are and your company or role. Acknowledge the family and thank them for having you speak.
• Business life sketch Give a brief overview of the supplier s role and the length of the relationship with your company.
• Anecdote Tell one short story that shows character. The best stories reveal values like reliability, ingenuity, or kindness.
• Impact and gratitude Summarize what the supplier taught your team or how they shaped your business culture.
• Closing Offer a personal goodbye, a dedication, or a note about how the company will remember them. Mention if the company is making a donation or dedicating something in their memory.

What to avoid

• Avoid disclosing financial details, pending legal matters, or contractual disputes.
• Avoid jargon packed lists of products and SKUs that will not have emotional meaning.
• Avoid company boasting about how much business you did together. Keep the focus on the person not the profit.
• Avoid inside jokes that the family will not understand.

How to write the opening

Start simply. Give your name and your relationship to the supplier in one line. Then offer a single sentence that explains why you are speaking and what you will remember about the person.

Opening examples

• Good morning. I am Jamie Park and I manage operations at Lumen Coffee Roasters. Tom was our equipment supplier and the first person to teach us how to roast without burning our profits.
• Hello. I am Priya Shah, procurement lead at Modern Supply Co. I am honored to share a few memories about Maria, who was our go to logistics manager for ten years.

Picking the right anecdote

Stories stick. Pick one short moment that shows character. Keep it sensory and specific. A setup, an action, and a line that explains why it mattered is all you need.

Good anecdote examples

• When the warehouse flooded during last winter Maria drove to our small office at six a.m. with a stack of dry pallets and a thermos of tea. She did not wait for permission. She just showed up and helped us save a backlog of orders.
• Tom once refused to accept payment at the end of a job. He said his work was a promise to the farmer who trusted him. We argued and then we laughed. He finally let us buy him a long overdue lunch.

Addressing complicated supplier relationships

Not every relationship is simple. If you had a difficult partnership be honest without assigning public blame. You can acknowledge challenges and speak to professionalism, lessons learned, or to the grace shown in later interactions.

Example lines for complexity

• We had our disagreements over timelines and expectations. We also had conversations that made our processes better. I always respected Maria s drive to get things right even when we did not agree.
• Tom could be relentless about quality. Sometimes that made projects harder in the moment. Over time we realized his standards pushed us to be better vendors to our customers.

Using humor carefully

Light humor can help people breathe. Use small, gentle jokes that the family would likely enjoy. Avoid jokes that expose the deceased or that could embarrass attendees.

Safe humor examples

• He had a notebook of the worst puns you can imagine and he insisted on sharing one every Monday morning. It was painful and wholesome in equal measure.
• Maria told us a truck arrival time and meant it as a suggestion. We learned to build an extra nap into our schedules just in case.

Examples you can adapt

Example 1: Short company tribute under three minutes

Hello. I am Alex Rivera, CEO at Parkline Foods. I want to thank the family for inviting us to celebrate Carlos today. Carlos was our packaging supplier for twelve years. He was the person who answered at two a.m. when we had a customer emergency. That is not a literal thing many people sign up for. He showed up because he cared about the people behind the orders. One memory I have is the winter our line jammed and we had a fire alarm evacuation. Carlos arrived with hot chocolate and an extra bag of packing tape. He made sure our team could laugh that day instead of panic.

Carlos taught us to prioritize the person on the other end of the phone. When we think about him we will remember a calm voice and a steady presence. On behalf of Parkline Foods we will be making a donation to the local community kitchen in his name. Thank you for letting us share a moment with him and with you.

Example 2: Longer, slightly formal tribute

Good afternoon. My name is Hannah Li and I lead procurement at Greenline Construction. I first met Peter at a trade fair seven years ago. He was manning a tiny booth and he treated every visitor like a long lost colleague. Over the years Peter became more than a supplier. He was someone who mentored our junior buyers and who once drove halfway across the city to hand deliver a critical part for a client demonstration. He believed in craftsmanship and in showing up with integrity.

One story that stays with me is when a small contractor on our team faced an unexpected delay. Peter quietly re routed a shipment through his network so the builder could keep their job on schedule. He never told anyone he had done it. That is the kind of generosity he offered without fanfare.

We will miss his careful eye and his unwillingness to accept second best. We will strive to honor him by being better partners and by helping our smaller vendors thrive the way he helped ours. Thank you for letting us honor Peter s life today.

Example 3: Personal and warm from a small business owner

Hi. I am Sam, owner of Northside Breads. Jen was my flour supplier and also my friend. She taught me how to read a shipping manifest while we drank terrible coffee in a bakery at seven a.m. She called me on the worst mornings and made me laugh about it. When I had a bad batch of sourdough she texted a GIF and the word keep going. She was practical and she was tender. That combination was rare.

I remember when she came by on a Saturday because our mixer died. She did not fix the mixer. She brought over her father s old wooden spatula and spent an hour teaching my apprentice how to make dough by feel. That small kindness made a huge difference. We will miss her hands and her stubborn cheer. Thank you for everything Jen gave us.

Fill in the blank templates

Customize these to your voice. Keep sentences short and specific. Read out loud and trim anything that feels like corporate speak.

Template A: Formal company tribute

Hello. I am [Your Name] and I am [title] at [Company Name]. We have worked with [Supplier Name] for [number] years. [Supplier Name] was known for [trait], and one time they [brief story]. Their work helped us [impact]. On behalf of our team we thank the family for allowing us to work with such a principled person. We are making a donation to [charity] in [Supplier Name] memory.

Template B: Short personal note from a colleague

My name is [Your Name]. I worked with [Supplier Name] on shipping and logistics. They taught me how to stay calm when shipments were late and how to call a vendor as a human first. I will remember them for [small memory] and for the way they made work feel less lonely. Thank you for letting me share this.

Template C: For complicated relationships

I am [Your Name]. Our work with [Supplier Name] was not always easy. We challenged each other and we learned from those moments. In the end what I will remember is [positive trait or lesson]. I appreciate the skill and the effort they brought to our projects.

Practical tips for delivery

• Keep notes simple Use one page or index cards. Underline names and the single anecdote you do not want to lose.
• Speak conversationally Avoid corporate buzzwords. Use plain language that a friend would use.
• Pause after emotional lines A pause gives listeners time and gives you a breath to steady yourself.
• Check the venue Confirm microphone setup and whether the family wants company logos on a slide or program.
• Respect confidentiality Confirm with legal or family whether any business details must be excluded.
• Offer the text to the family Email a copy after the service so they have it for memory books if they want it.

When your voice breaks or you get emotional

That is completely normal. Pause, breathe, look at your notes, and continue when you are ready. If you cannot continue arrange for a colleague to finish with a short closing line. The audience will understand and they will appreciate your honesty.

Including company actions and memorials

If your company plans to make a donation, plant a tree, or create a scholarship in the supplier s name mention this briefly at the end of your remarks. Check with the family first and be specific about what the company will do and how people can contribute if they want to.

Logistics and who to consult

• Confirm with the family or funeral organizer whether a company representative should speak.
• Check with HR and legal if you plan to mention contract details or financial impact.
• Coordinate with colleagues so only one person speaks for the company when appropriate.

Glossary of useful terms

• Purchase order PO A company document that authorizes a purchase. It lists items quantities and agreed prices.
• Non disclosure agreement NDA A legal document that keeps company information private. If you are under an NDA do not disclose confidential facts in a public speech.
• Vendor Another term for supplier. It usually means a company that sells goods or services to another business.
• B2B Business to business. Used to describe relationships between companies.
• SKU Stock keeping unit. An internal code for inventory items. Avoid listing SKUs in a public memorial as this is technical and not necessary.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the right person to speak for a company

Pick someone who had a real connection to the supplier. This could be an account manager who worked with them daily a founder who built the relationship or a colleague who became a friend. If the supplier was close to multiple people a brief joint tribute from two speakers works well.

Can a company mention business achievements in the eulogy

Keep business mentions brief and focus on impact rather than numbers. Say things like They helped us deliver meals to 2 000 families instead of reading invoices or contract details. Always avoid sensitive or proprietary information.

Is it okay to talk about mistakes or disputes

Acknowledge challenges carefully. If the relationship had difficulties you can speak about lessons learned or about the supplier s professionalism in resolving issues. Do not air grievances publicly or use the speech to settle business scores.

Should we involve the company logo in the program

Ask the family first. Some families welcome company participation while others prefer a purely personal service. When in doubt keep company branding minimal and focus on the person.

Can we publish the eulogy on the company website

Check with the family before posting. If the family agrees a short tribute on your website or social media can be a kind gesture. Respect privacy and avoid sharing personal contact information or other sensitive details.

What if the supplier was an individual contractor rather than a company

The same guidance applies. Focus on the person s character and on one or two meaningful stories. Avoid technical lists and ask the family whether they would like a company to speak or to contribute in another way.