How to Write a Eulogy for Your Union Representative - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Saying a few words about a union representative you respected can feel heavy and important at the same time. Your union rep stood up for coworkers, negotiated contracts, and often did thankless work. This guide gives you a clear method to write a meaningful tribute, plus real examples and fill in the blank templates you can adapt. We explain any union terms you might not know and give delivery tips that work in a union hall, at a memorial, or at a workplace gathering.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a union representative at a funeral, memorial, wake, union meeting, or workplace gathering. Maybe you were a coworker, a shop steward, a friend, a family member, or a union officer who needs to give formal remarks. This guide includes brief, standard, and longer examples so you can match the tone to the occasion.

What is a union representative

A union representative is someone elected or appointed to represent workers in a unionized workplace. They can be a shop steward, a local officer, a business agent, or a rank and file organizer. Their job often includes handling grievances, representing members at discipline meetings, bargaining contracts, and building solidarity. They may not be perfect but they usually care a lot about fairness, safety, and the daily dignity of work.

Terms and acronyms you might see

• CBA This stands for collective bargaining agreement. It is the contract between the union and the employer that defines wages, hours, benefits, and workplace rules.
• Grievance A formal complaint filed by a worker or the union about a breach of the CBA or unfair treatment.
• Arbitration A process where a neutral third party resolves a grievance when the employer and the union cannot agree.
• Shop steward A worker who represents members on the shop floor and handles daily issues and grievances.
• Business agent A paid union official who often handles bargaining and contract enforcement across multiple worksites.
• Solidarity The shared feeling of unity among workers and union members working toward common goals.
• AFL CIO A federation of many unions. You may also see names of specific unions like SEIU, AFSCME, IBEW, and UFCW.
• Picket line The place where workers gather during a strike to protest and to discourage others from entering the workplace.

How long should a eulogy be

Short and focused is usually better. Aim for three to seven minutes. That equals roughly 350 to 800 spoken words depending on how slowly you speak. If the event includes multiple speakers coordinate a shorter time slot so everyone has a chance to speak and the program stays on schedule.

Before you start writing

• Talk to the family Confirm they are comfortable with you speaking and ask if there are personal things they want included or avoided.
• Check with the union Ask your local officers if there are protocols for speaking at union events. They may want to include a formal resolution or a moment of silence.
• Ask about sensitive matters If the rep was involved in ongoing disputes or confidential grievances, avoid sharing private details that could cause problems.
• Gather memories Ask coworkers for one short memory each. This gives you material and helps include voices from the shop floor.
• Decide the tone Should this be solemn, celebratory, funny, or a mix? Union culture often appreciates honesty and plain speech. Check with close coworkers and family.

Structure that works for a union rep eulogy

Use a simple shape to keep your remarks clear and memorable.

• Opening Say who you are and why you are speaking. Offer one sentence that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a concise overview of their union role and career. Include major wins and roles, but focus on human details not job titles alone.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character, courage, or kindness on the job.
• Impact and values Summarize what they taught coworkers, the union, and the workplace. Point to tangible changes like safer conditions or improved schedules.
• Closing Offer a farewell line, suggest an action to honor them like donating to a memorial fund or continuing their work, or lead a moment of silence or the union song.

Writing the opening

The opening should be straightforward. Give your name and your relationship to the rep. You can add a small line about why the person mattered to the union or to you personally.

Opening examples

• Hello everyone. My name is Marcus and I was proud to work alongside Jorge for fifteen years as his fellow shop steward.
• Good afternoon. I am Leila, treasurer of Local 123. Today we gather to remember our friend and longtime business agent, Tanya.
• Hi. I am Omar, a coworker and friend. Sam always asked for fairness for the quiet ones. I am honored to say a few words about him.

How to write the life sketch

Keep the life sketch practical and rooted in the work that mattered. Avoid listing every committee and award. Highlight roles that show why they were trusted and what they changed.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] worked at [workplace] for [years]. They served as [role] for [time period]. They helped negotiate the contracts that gave us [concrete improvement].
• [Name] started as a [job title] and became a steward after standing up for [issue]. They were the person members called when they felt treated unfairly.

Anecdotes that matter

Stories make a eulogy memorable. Pick stories that are specific, short, and show values in action like standing up for safety or mentoring a new member. Use the classic setup action payoff structure so each story has a clear point.

Example anecdotes

• When a new worker was written up unfairly, [Name] stayed late to make sure the person knew their rights and that the union file was complete. The write up was overturned and the worker kept their job.
• At the bargaining table they refused to sign a clause that would have weakened safety checks. It cost them a long week of negotiation but the clause was removed and a new safety review system was put in place.
• They ran a winter coat drive each year and made sure every member who needed warm clothes got one without fuss. That small kindness mattered to a lot of people.

Addressing complex workplace politics

Union life can involve politics and disputes. If the rep had contentious moments do not feel compelled to air raw conflicts. Acknowledge complexity with dignity and focus on the lasting good work. If legal or sensitive matters remain open, avoid detailed descriptions.

Examples for tricky situations

• We did not always agree on strategy. That is union life. What mattered is we kept the conversation honest and tried to protect members first.
• There were hard fights. The family asked that today we remember the person who fought for safer shifts. That is what I want to hold in mind.
• If you must mention an unresolved dispute, do it briefly. Thank the person for their courage and ask the union to continue the work they started.

Using humor the right way

Humor can be welcome in union gatherings. Use small earned jokes that coworkers will recognize. Avoid anything that might embarrass family or cross a line with grievances and legal matters.

Safe humor examples

• [Name] had a rule that nobody could call a meeting before nine in the morning unless donuts were promised. I think the bakery in town still sends them a thank you card.
• They could out shout a microphone and then whisper a better plan. Loud in spirit, wise in thought.

What to avoid in a eulogy for a union rep

• Avoid sharing confidential grievance details or strategy related to active disputes.
• Avoid using the podium to restart an old fight. This is a time to honor, not to litigate.
• Avoid personal attacks or public airing of family matters that are unrelated to the rep s union work.
• Avoid long lists of job titles without stories that make them human.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Example 1: Short and direct, three minute version

Hello. I am Emma and I served with Luis as a shop steward at the plant for ten years. Luis taught us that standing up for one person protects everyone. He insisted on fairness at the loading dock and he insisted on safety in the break room. One evening a new worker came to us after being threatened with discipline. Luis sat with her for hours, explained the contract, and followed through until the issue was resolved. That is the kind of steady care he gave everyone. We will miss his laugh and his stubborn kindness. The union will carry on the work he started. Please join me in a moment of silence.

Example 2: Longer memorial, five to seven minute version

Good afternoon. I am Aisha and I am president of Local 77. Today we remember our friend and organizer, Mark. Mark started here when he was twenty one and stayed for twenty eight years. He was a welder by trade and a negotiator by heart. He led the bargaining committee that won us paid sick days and the safety committee that reduced incidents by nearly half. But what I want to say is this. Mark believed in mentorship. He took every apprentice under his wing. There was a young woman who struggled with English and with confidence. Mark spent Saturdays with her going over the contract and practicing how to speak up at a meeting. She is now a steward herself. That ripple of care is his legacy. Mark could be loud when needed and gentle in private. He taught us to fight smart and to help the person next to us. In his memory the local will open a small fund to help members in emergency need. I invite you to learn more at the union hall and to add your memory to our book. Thank you.

Example 3: For a union president or business agent

Hello. I am Daniel, a longtime member and friend. When Tanya was elected business agent she promised two things, honesty and presence. She made good on both. Her presence meant she was at every grievance hearing, at every hospital bedside when a member needed support, and at every community event where the union needed to be visible. Her honesty meant we could trust the numbers in a spreadsheet and the promises at the table. She was relentless about benefits for retirees and she fought for our members when they needed a voice with the company. Today we honor her by keeping our meetings open, by mentoring new stewards, and by remembering that organized labor is a community. Thank you Tanya for everything you taught us.

Example 4: Short, emotional, for a rank and file organizer

Hi. I am Priyanka and I want to share one small story. Sam walked into the noisiest corner of our floor and somehow made you feel heard. One time when management tried to change a line without notice, Sam gathered everyone, read the contract aloud, and organized a quick meeting on the line. The change was stopped and we were given proper notice. That is how he worked. Simple, direct, powerful. We will miss him dearly.

Fill in the blank templates

Replace bracketed text with your details and edit until it sounds like you. Read it out loud and trim anything that feels forced.

Template A: Short standard

My name is [Your Name]. I worked with [Name] at [Workplace] for [years]. [Name] served as [role]. They were the person who [brief memory]. They taught us [value]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Please join me in a moment of silence for [Name].

Template B: For a union officer

Hello. I am [Your Name] from Local [number]. [Name] led our bargaining team and helped win [concrete win]. They were also the first to show up for a member in need. One memory that shows their character is [brief story]. Their legacy is [impact]. We will honor them by [action the union can take].

Template C: For a friend and coworker

Hi. I am [Your Name], a coworker and friend. To know [Name] was to know [quirky trait]. They never missed [ritual] and they always reminded us to [value]. My favorite story is [short anecdote]. Thank you for being here.

Practical tips for delivery

• Know the venue If you are speaking at the union hall check the microphone, podium, and seating. If you are speaking at a graveside check if there is amplification.
• Bring printed copies Use large font and bring a backup. A printed copy is easier to manage than a phone in emotional moments.
• Use cue cards Short index cards with one main idea help you keep your place and sound natural.
• Practice out loud Read your speech to a friend, to a mirror, or into your phone. Practice helps steady your voice and timing.
• Mark pauses Put markers where you want to breathe or where the audience will react. Pauses are powerful and give you space.
• Coordinate with the union Make sure the local knows when you will speak and whether any formal protocol such as a resolution or song follows your remarks.

When you get emotional while speaking

If you are overcome, pause, take a breath, sip water, and continue when you feel ready. People will wait and they want you to speak from the heart. If you cannot continue arrange for a colleague to finish and leave a brief note for them to read so the thought ends clearly.

Including union rituals and music

Many unions have rituals like a moment of silence, the singing of Solidarity Forever, or raising the union banner. Coordinate these in advance and ask the family if they want any formal union ritual included. Short readings or a brief collective song can be a meaningful communal act.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the family and the local union officers your plan to speak.
• Check with the funeral director about any restrictions at the venue.
• If you plan a workplace memorial, confirm with the employer about times and spaces so you do not inadvertently violate safety rules or legal obligations.
• Offer to provide a copy of your speech to the union hall and the family for memory books or newsletters.

After the eulogy

People often ask for a copy. Offer to email it to members and family. The union may want the text for a newsletter, a memorial page, or a tribute in the local s records. Consider suggesting a concrete action to honor the rep such as a memorial fund, a scholarship for apprentices, or a continuity plan like mentoring new stewards.

Checklist before you speak

• Confirm time limit with family and union officers.
• Print your speech and bring a backup.
• Practice out loud at least three times.
• Mark emotional beats and pauses.
• Coordinate any union ritual or song with the local.
• Have a designated person ready to finish if you cannot continue.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Collective bargaining agreement or CBA The contract between the union and employer that sets wages and conditions.
• Grievance A formal complaint about a violation of the CBA.
• Arbitration A neutral process to resolve grievances if needed.
• Shop steward A worker who represents members on site and handles daily issues.
• Business agent A paid union official who often handles bargaining across worksites.
• Solidarity Unity among union members working toward common goals.
• Local The specific branch of the union you belong to, often noted with a number.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Begin with your name and relationship to the rep. A simple sentence like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I worked with [Name] gives context and buys you a breath to settle. Practice that opening so it feels familiar.

Can I mention specific contract wins

Yes mention wins that are public and that the family is comfortable with. Avoid sharing sensitive bargaining strategy or confidential details about ongoing disputes.

What if the rep was involved in contentious union politics

Acknowledge complexity without airing private grievances. You can say they were passionate and sometimes controversial and then point to what they achieved or taught. Focus on unity and the work that continues.

Should I include the union song

If your local uses a song like Solidarity Forever check with the family and union officers first. A short sung verse can be very moving if it fits the tone of the service.

Is it okay to ask for donations or set up a memorial fund

Yes this is common. Coordinate with the family and the union so the fund is properly managed. Consider a fund for emergency member assistance or a scholarship that matches the rep s passion.

How long should a eulogy be at a union hall memorial

Three to five minutes is typical for a single speaker at a memorial. If multiple people are speaking the local may allocate two to four minutes per person. Coordinate timing so the event runs smoothly.