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

Writing a eulogy for a vendor you worked with can feel awkward and necessary at the same time. Maybe they were more than a supplier. Maybe they were a neighbor, a friend, or someone whose work made your business or life run smoother. This guide gives you clear steps, examples you can adapt, and tips for both workplace and public memorials. We explain any industry terms and offer templates so you can speak from the heart without overthinking it.

Who this guide is for

This article is for any client, colleague, manager, or small business owner who needs to prepare remarks about a vendor who has died. Maybe you are speaking at a memorial service, a company remembrance, a community event, or writing a public post like on LinkedIn. This guide covers tone, structure, what to mention about business relationships, and how to handle legal or privacy boundaries. It includes sample scripts for short and longer remarks, plus fill in the blank templates you can edit quickly.

What do we mean by vendor

Vendor is a useful word but it can feel cold. In this context a vendor is a person or small business you hired to provide goods or services. Examples include a florist, caterer, contractor, freelance designer, farmer who supplied produce, or a delivery driver who became part of your daily routine. When the vendor was a person rather than a faceless company, a eulogy can honor both the professional connection and the human relationship.

Terms you might see

• Eulogy A speech given to honor someone who has died. It focuses on memories, character, and the impact they had.
• Obituary A written notice of death that usually includes basic biographical information and service details.
• Memorial A gathering to remember someone who has died. It can be formal or informal.
• Celebration of life A less formal event focused on stories and memories rather than ritual.
• LinkedIn A professional social platform where businesses and colleagues often post tributes.
• PR Short for public relations. If the vendor was publicly known, your message may need to align with company or family PR preferences.

How long should remarks be

Shorter is usually better. Aim for two to five minutes for most workplace or community settings. That is roughly 250 to 600 spoken words. If you are the family member or close friend and you have been asked to speak at a funeral service, you can extend that to five to ten minutes but check with the family or organizer first.

Before you write anything

• Ask permission Check with the family or the deceased s immediate contact about the tone and any private details you should avoid. They may prefer privacy or have specific requests about what to publish.
• Clarify the setting Will you speak at a funeral, a company lunch, a virtual meeting, or post online? The setting changes tone and length.
• Confirm time Know how long you are expected to speak so you write to fit the slot.
• Gather stories Talk to colleagues, other clients, or family for one or two short, specific memories. One sentence of context plus a small payoff makes a story land.
• Decide who you represent Are you speaking personally or on behalf of a company? Make that clear in your opening line.

Structure that works

A clean structure helps you stay focused. Use this shape.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to the vendor.
• Work portrait Give a brief sketch of what they did and why they mattered to your team or community.
• One or two anecdotes Tell short stories that show character. Keep them specific.
• Impact Explain how they changed your work or life. Focus on values like reliability, kindness, or creativity.
• Closing Offer a final line like a thank you, a short quote, or a call to honor their way of working going forward.

How to balance business and personal remarks

When a vendor dies you may want to mention contracts, projects, or business wins. That is fine as long as you keep the focus on the person. Avoid discussing proprietary details, contract disputes, or anything that would embarrass the family. Highlight qualities such as professionalism, creativity, reliability, and the ways they collaborated with your team.

What to avoid saying

• Avoid sounding like you are delivering a business report. Humanize the vendor with stories.
• Avoid gossip or negative business details.
• Avoid presuming details about the cause of death unless the family has said it should be shared.
• Avoid promises about the vendor s business unless you are certain those commitments are real and approved by family or business partners.

Opening lines that work

• Hi, I m Jordan, and I ran operations at Eastside Coffee. We worked with Mia on cafe supplies for five years. Today I want to say thanks for how she made our mornings possible.
• Hello everyone. I am Priya, owner of Wildflower Events. I am here as a client and as a friend to remember Carlos who built so many of our ceremonies with care.
• Good afternoon. My name is Marcus and I was one of Elijah s first wholesale customers. He taught me how honesty and prompt delivery can feel like a kindness.

Short anecdotes that land

Stories are the parts people remember. Keep them sensory and with a small payoff. A setup, an action, and a one line meaning works every time.

• The first time Emily delivered flowers to our shop they were late because traffic was bad. She apologized and then handed me the bouquet with an extra sprig and said I figured you d need a little something to forgive me. We still include that sprig on slow days as a small ritual.
• When the oven broke on the morning of our launch, Javier, our caterer, walked across town with a toolbox. He did not fix the oven but he brought a positive attitude that made the whole team breathe easier. He always showed up like that.
• Sam had a rule that every invoice came with a recipe card. If you opened the envelope you would find a note that said cook this and think of me. He used to say food is how we tell people we care.

Examples you can adapt

Example 1: Short workplace tribute, about two minutes

Hello. I am Avery, purchasing manager at Greenlane Supply. I want to say a few words about Henry, who many of us knew as the reliable voice on the other end of the line. Henry supplied our restaurant with specialty spices for nearly a decade. He knew the farmers by name and he would send photos of the harvest like proud family updates. When an order went wrong he would not hide behind policy. He would call you, explain plainly, and find a way to fix it fast. That kind of care made our kitchen better and our staff feel seen. We will miss his steady presence and his habit of slipping a handwritten note into the crate. Thank you, Henry, for remembering the small things that made a big difference.

Example 2: Community vendor, personal tone, about three to four minutes

Hi everyone. I am Lina. My bakery relied on Marcus for flour for years. Marcus ran a small mill and he showed up every Tuesday with flour dust on his sleeves and a story about the farmers. He taught me that the best bread starts with people who care for the grain. Once we had a rush order for a fundraiser and the warehouse was closed early. Marcus rerouted his evening plans and delivered sacks to the back door at nine thirty. He did not have to do that. He did it because he knew what our community meant to him. Marcus loved cooking for his neighborhood and he loved to teach. He leaves behind recipes he shared and a habit of showing up. We will honor him by remembering to be as generous as he was with time and with knowledge.

Example 3: Corporate statement with human touch

Good morning. I am Noah, director of procurement at BrightTech. We recently lost Marianne, founder of Clearview Logistics. Marianne was more than a vendor. She was a partner who helped us scale our supply chain with transparency and humor. She advocated for smaller carriers and treated drivers like teammates rather than numbers. On behalf of BrightTech I want to express our deep gratitude for her steady leadership and her willingness to teach our team best practices. We will miss her leadership and her quick texts that started with Good news. Our VIP contact will share grief resources for any team members who worked closely with Marianne.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to get started. Replace bracketed text with your details and read aloud to make the phrasing sound natural.

Template A: Short personal tribute

Hi, I am [Your Name] and I worked with [Vendor s Name] for [timeframe]. [Vendor s Name] did [what they did]. One memory that shows who they were is [short story]. That story shows their [trait such as kindness or reliability]. We will miss [what you will miss]. Thank you for being here to remember them with us.

Template B: Company or team tribute

My name is [Your Name] and I am [title] at [Company]. On behalf of our team I want to acknowledge [Vendor s Name] who provided [service/product]. [Vendor s Name] helped us by [concrete example of impact]. More than the work they did, they brought [quality like warmth or integrity] to every interaction. Our thoughts are with their family and team. We will honor them by [small action like donating or continuing a tradition].

Template C: Community vendor with personal detail

Hello, I m [Your Name]. [Vendor s Name] was part of our neighborhood for [years]. They often [habit or ritual]. I will remember the time when [short anecdote]. They taught me [lesson]. The marketplace will feel different without them and our lives are richer for having known them.

Delivery tips

• Decide how you will deliver Speaking in person is heartfelt. Writing a public post works well if the family prefers fewer in person remarks. If posting online, ask permission first.
• Keep a printed copy Use large font and an extra copy in case you get emotional.
• Use cue cards One or two lines per card help you keep your place without reading a block of text.
• Practice out loud Read the remarks twice to check pacing and to spot awkward language.
• Pause Allow a beat after a meaningful line. Pauses let the audience absorb the story and let you breathe.
• Be mindful of microphones Speak a little slower when using a mic. If no mic is available, project calmly and choose shorter sentences.
• Have a backup If you think you may not finish, arrange a colleague to finish a closing sentence. A simple handoff works fine.

Posting online and writing public tributes

If you plan to post on LinkedIn, Facebook, or your company blog, follow these steps.

• Check with family Ask if they are comfortable with public posts and whether any details should be omitted.
• Keep it respectful Mention the person s role and one concrete story or value. Avoid operational or financial details.
• Offer resources If a funeral fund or memorial page exists, include a link if the family approves.
• Mention next steps If the vendor s business will be closed or if clients need an alternate contact, provide that information clearly and compassionately.

Legal and privacy considerations

You do not need to share the cause of death unless the family has asked for it to be public. In some cases the vendor ran a small business and you may be handling client questions. Coordinate with the family or business partners about who will field emails or continue contracts. Avoid promising refunds or business guarantees publicly unless you have authority to do so.

Addressing complicated relationships

If your relationship with the vendor was professionally tense or unfinished, you can still offer honest and respectful remarks. Keep the tone factual and forward looking. A sentence that acknowledges complexity and then focuses on a positive or a lesson is enough. The goal is to honor the person without rewriting history or causing more conflict.

Ideas for honoring a vendor beyond words

• Donate to a cause they supported or set up a small community fund if the family needs help.
• Continue a tradition they started such as a seasonal market stall or a recipe swap.
• Share their work with colleagues and clients who valued it so that their legacy keeps circulating.
• Create a memorial in your workplace like a plant or a framed photo with a short note of thanks.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Vendor A person or business that supplies goods or services to another business or customer.
• Eulogy A short speech honoring someone who has died.
• Obituary A public notice of a death that typically includes life details and service information.
• Memorial A gathering to remember someone. It may be formal or informal.
• PR Short for public relations. The way information is shared publicly to protect privacy and manage reputation.
• LinkedIn A professional social network commonly used for business tributes and announcements.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an obituary and a eulogy when it comes to a vendor

An obituary is a written public notice that lists basic facts about the person s life and funeral arrangements. A eulogy is a personal speech that shares memories and reflections. When honoring a vendor you might help draft or contribute a short obituary detail but the eulogy is where you tell stories that show who they were.

Do I need permission to post a tribute on social media

Yes it is kind to ask the family or the person managing their affairs before posting. Some families prefer privacy. If they approve, ask if they would like certain details omitted such as cause of death or contact information.

Can I mention business details like contracts or payments

Avoid going into contract specifics in a public tribute. It is okay to say what the vendor did and how they helped your team. If clients or partners need operational information, coordinate a separate business communication with the family or business partners.

How do I speak if I had a strained professional relationship with the vendor

Keep remarks factual and brief. Acknowledge complexity if you feel it is appropriate but focus on a constructive point such as a lesson learned or an improvement the vendor made. The goal is respect not rehashing conflicts.

Who should I represent when I speak for my company

State if you are speaking on behalf of yourself or the company. If speaking for the company, check with leadership about the message and any next steps like contacting clients, issuing refunds, or pausing contracts.