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

Writing a eulogy for a teammate feels personal and a little strange at the same time. Teammates live in rituals and shared jokes. They are the person who passed you the ball, covered your shift, or stayed up late debugging code. That means a eulogy for a teammate should honor those small rituals and the role they played in your team culture. This guide gives you clear steps, example speeches you can adapt, and delivery tips that actually work. We explain common terms and include templates that are easy to personalize.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a teammate at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, halftime tribute, or a workplace gathering. Maybe you were the captain, the person who sat next to them on the commute, or the colleague who shared too many midnight snacks. Maybe your team was informal like a pickup crew, an office pod, an esports squad, or a volunteer group. We have examples for sports teammates, coworkers, complex relationships, and short moments of tribute.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech given to honor someone who has died. It is a chance to tell a true story, share a memory, and name the qualities that mattered. A eulogy is different from an obituary. An obituary lists facts like dates and service details. A eulogy is personal and lived in the details you remember from locker rooms, work chat, or rehearsal halls.

Terms you might see and what they mean

• Obituary A written notice announcing a death often with basic facts and funeral information.
• Order of service The sequence of events for a funeral or memorial. Think of it as the program for the event.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and memories instead of ritual.
• Officiant The person who leads the service. At a sports memorial this might be a coach, at work it might be HR or a manager.
• Moment of silence A brief pause where the group reflects together. Common at sporting events and team meetings.
• Roster A list of players or team members. Useful for introducing who you are if the crowd knows the team well.

How long should a eulogy for a teammate be

Short and specific wins. Aim for two to five minutes. That usually equals about 300 to 700 spoken words. If the event has multiple speakers, check the expected time and keep your remarks focused. A short, honest tribute can hit harder than a long list of achievements.

Before you start writing

Preparation reduces stress and helps you craft something meaningful. Use this quick plan before you type a single word.

• Check with family or the officiant Confirm the tone and any requests. Sometimes families prefer private memories kept out of public remarks.
• Ask about time Confirm how long you should speak and where your remarks fit in the order of service.
• Decide the tone Is this solemn, celebratory, slightly funny, or all of the above? Match the mood to the person and the team culture.
• Gather quick intel Ask other teammates for one memory each. People will often remember a single thing that can add texture.
• Pick two or three focus points Choose a couple of traits or stories that sum up who the teammate was to the group.

Structure that works

Use a simple shape for clarity. This structure helps listeners follow along and allows you to stay on track.

• Opening Say who you are and why you are speaking. Name the teammate so everyone connects right away.
• Role and life sketch Briefly state what the person did on the team and outside it. Avoid a long biography.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character. Locker room moments and late night Slack shenanigans work.
• What we learned Summarize the team values or lessons they modeled.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, an invitation to a ritual like a jersey tribute, or a short quote.

How to pick the right memories

Memories that show rather than tell are the best. Look for moments that contain a small conflict and a payoff. A setup where someone needed support and your teammate stepped in works well. If humor is part of the team identity, include one light story to let people breathe.

Examples of good types of memories

• A game winning or failing moment where they showed character.
• A behind the scenes habit like always bringing snacks or fixing everyone s equipment.
• An example of them helping a teammate outside the team context like covering a shift or making a meal after a rough day.
• A recurring joke that became part of team culture.

Examples of openings you can use

• Hi everyone. I am Maya and I was lucky to share the midfield with Alex for four seasons.
• Hello. My name is Ben and I worked with Sarah on the product team. Today we gather to remember how she held our team together when deadlines got ugly.
• Good afternoon. I am Jordan. I played PS5 with Chris every Tuesday. I want to say a few words about how his late night strategy meetings taught me how to laugh under pressure.

Anecdotes that land

Keep stories short. Aim for specific sensory detail and a final line that tells why the story matters.

Short anecdote examples

• In the third quarter of state finals we were down and the play felt like a throwaway. Sam called for the ball, ran through two defenders, and passed it when no one expected it. That pass created the moment we all remember. It was the kind of selfless play he made a habit of.
• When the office had a code freeze at midnight, Gaby showed up with donuts and a ridiculous playlist. She made late night bug fixes feel less lonely. That was her superpower. She made hard work feel like company.
• Our guild needed a healer for raid night and Eli volunteered without asking if anyone else could. He did it every Tuesday even when he had a long day at work. He taught us what showing up looks like.

Addressing complicated relationships

Not every teammate relationship is simple. If the relationship was strained you can still speak honestly with care. Focus on truth not on airing grievances. You can acknowledge challenges and then point to learning or closure.

Examples for tricky dynamics

• We did not always agree on plays or priorities. We argued on the field and then laughed in the parking lot. Those arguments sharpened us and I will miss the way he pushed us to be better.
• She could be blunt in meetings. Sometimes it stung. Later I realized she wanted us to be prepared. That bluntness came from care, even if it landed rough sometimes.

Using humor the right way

Humor helps teams breathe. Use small, earned jokes that the crowd will recognize. Avoid anything that might embarrass the family or single out someone in the audience. A quick team inside joke can land if it is kind.

Safe humor examples

• He had a superstition about wearing lucky socks. We all humored him until he brought home the trophy and then we started buying the socks ourselves.
• She loved to name plants after teammates. The office fern was named after our CTO and it survived longer than several quarterly roadmaps. That plant was a miracle and a metaphor.

What to avoid in a eulogy for a teammate

• Avoid turning the speech into a dispute or a place for team drama.
• Avoid revealing secrets or stories that would embarrass the family.
• Avoid reading a long list of stats without a story to make those stats human.
• Avoid jokes that rely on poking fun at people who are already grieving.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are ready to use examples that fit different team settings. Replace bracketed text with your details and read them out loud once or twice.

Example 1 Sports teammate three to four minute version

Hi everyone. I am Alex and I played right wing with Marcus for five seasons. Marcus was the teammate who always arrived early to tape ankles and stayed late to practice free kicks. He was a role player in the box score and a giant in the locker room.

One memory I keep is from regionals. We were down by two with ten minutes left and nerves were high. Marcus told us to stop talking and start playing like we did in practice. He scored a goal that sprung the whole team into motion and then he passed the ball in a way that set up the winning shot. That is who he was. He made room for others to shine.

Marcus taught us to be steady under pressure and to laugh when things went sideways. He loved tacos more than strategies and he believed in showing up. We will miss the way he called out plays and then offered the first slice to the rookie. Let s hold a moment of silence and then hear from Coach about how we will honor him this season.

Example 2 Coworker teammate two to three minute version

Good morning. I am Pri from design. I worked with Jamie on three product launches. Jamie had this rare combination of curiosity and patience. She would spend an hour explaining a tiny UX detail and then stay late to help QA a fix.

One small story. During a launch two years ago servers went down and panic spread like wildfire. Jamie stayed calm, opened a spreadsheet, and sent a message that simply said we can do this together. She coordinated people across time zones until the site was stable. Her steady voice is how I will remember her.

We learned to slow down and to be generous with feedback because of her. The best way we can honor Jamie is to carry that patience forward and to be the teammate she was for someone else.

Example 3 Short two minute tribute for a gaming or creative team

Hey everyone. I am Sam and I led the raid team on Sundays. Lee was the quiet strategist who would whisper a plan and then watch it work. He taught us to communicate less with panic and more with clear calls.

My favorite memory is the night we were one percent off a boss and Lee suggested a weird move. It worked. We all cheered and he typed the victory emote and logged off. That was Lee in a nutshell. He let his plays do the talking.

Thanks for being here and for carrying Lee s stories forward. If you want to share memories later we re planning an online scrim in his honor next week.

Example 4 Complicated relationship honest and respectful

Hello. I am Maya and I was on the same shift as Kevin for the last four years. Kevin and I butted heads. He wanted things done fast and I wanted them done right. Those clashes were tough but they made our team faster and better when we learned to combine both approaches.

In recent months Kevin helped me with a problem I could not solve. He did not make a big deal of it. He just sat with the issue and helped me think it through. That small kindness changed how I feel about our past disagreements. I am grateful for that time and for the ways he pushed us all to improve.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates as starting points and then personalize them with a specific memory or line that rings true.

Template A Sports teammate classic

Hi. I am [Your Name]. I played with [Teammate s Name] on [Team Name] for [number] seasons. [Teammate s Name] was the kind of teammate who [small habit]. 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 being here to remember them.

Template B Coworker short

My name is [Your Name]. I worked with [Colleague s Name] on [project]. They were the person who [helping detail]. During one crunch we were stuck and they [specific action]. That is the thing I will remember. Please join me in holding a moment of silence and in telling one quick story if you can.

Template C Light and warm for a casual team

Hey. I am [Your Name]. To know [Teammate s Name] was to know [quirky habit]. They made late nights feel less lonely and celebrations more exuberant. My favorite memory is [funny short story]. We will miss their laugh and how they made our team feel like a second family.

Practical tips for delivery

Public speaking while grieving is hard. These tactics keep you on track.

• Print and format Use large font and wide margins. Avoid tiny text. Index cards are great for cue points.
• Mark pauses Note where you want the audience to breathe or where laughter will land. Pauses are your friend.
• Practice out loud Read it to a teammate or to a mirror. Practice calms your voice and your breathing.
• Keep water handy A sip can steady you if your throat tightens.
• Use a backup reader Arrange for a teammate to step in if you cannot finish. That takes pressure off you.
• Mind the mic Hold the mic a few inches from your mouth and speak slowly. If there is no mic, project to the back row and slow your pace.

Logistics specific to team tributes

Team environments often have rituals. Coordinate these ahead of time to avoid awkward moments.

• Check with family Make sure the family is comfortable with any team rituals like a jersey retirement or a final lap.
• Coordinate with coach or manager They will know where the tribute fits into a game or meeting schedule.
• Decide on visuals Photos on the jumbotron, a memory board in the meeting room, or a short highlight reel can all be meaningful.
• Plan a follow up Teams often create a memorial scholarship, a charity drive, or a routine like wearing a patch. Have one person collect ideas and act.

When the death is sudden or traumatic

If the death is unexpected or traumatic check in with mental health resources provided by the organization. Coaches, HR, or volunteer leaders can arrange grief counseling or a debrief. Keep public remarks short and refer people to support resources. Avoid graphic details and center compassion.

How to include readings, songs, and rituals

Short and meaningful works best. Pick a poem excerpt, a song clip, or a single ritual like a jersey being placed on a chair. If you use music at an event confirm licensing and check with the venue about playback. For sports events consider a minute of silence before a game or the crowd singing a favorite song at a pause in the schedule.

What to do after you speak

People will likely want a copy. Offer to email the remarks to family and teammates. Some groups collect messages and create a memory book or an online tribute page. If people ask for recordings check with family before posting anything public.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms for team settings

• Eulogy A speech honoring a person who has died. It is personal and often delivered at a funeral or memorial.
• Obituary A written announcement of a death that usually lists service details and biographical facts.
• Order of service The program for a funeral or memorial listing who speaks and when.
• Officiant The person leading the event. For a team that could be a coach, manager, or a family member.
• Roster The team list. Useful when introducing who you are to a crowd that does not know everyone.
• Moment of silence A brief pause for collective reflection. Often used at games or meetings as a tribute.
• TPR Short for temperature pulse respirations. This is a clinical term sometimes used in sudden death reporting. You only need to know it if someone uses medical terms in conversation and you want to ask what they mean.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Begin with your name and your relationship to the teammate. A simple opening like Hello I am [Your Name] and I played on the same team as [Teammate s Name] gives you a steady first sentence. Practice it until it feels familiar. That small ritual buys you a breath to settle.

What if the family asks me not to speak about certain things

Respect their wishes. Ask what they prefer you to focus on. They might ask for only upbeat stories or they might want you to avoid specific incidents. Honor requests even if you feel differently in private.

Can I use humor in a teammate eulogy

Yes. Use small, earned humor that the family would find appropriate. A light joke about shared habits or a funny successful play can give people a moment to breathe. Avoid sarcasm or jokes that single out someone in the audience.

How should I handle crying while speaking

Pause and breathe. Look at your notes and take a drink of water if you need to. The audience will wait. If you cannot continue have a backup person ready to finish your final sentence. Short pauses and slow breathing help your voice come back.

What if I had a conflict with the teammate

You can acknowledge complexity in a respectful way. Briefly naming that you had disagreements and then focusing on what you learned keeps your remarks honest and kind. Public speeches are not the place for private grievances.

Is it okay to read the eulogy from my phone

Yes but be cautious. Phones can ring or the screen can be hard to read under stage lights. Many people prefer printed notes or index cards. If you use a phone make sure it is on do not disturb and the text is large.