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

You were asked to speak for someone who helped shape who you are. That is honor and weight at the same time. A godfather can be a mentor, a funny uncle, a spiritual guide, or a steady presence behind the scenes. This guide helps you turn memory into a clear, honest, and memorable eulogy. It gives you structure, writing prompts, sample speeches you can use as templates, and practical delivery tips for when the tears show up.

Everything here is written for people who want something real and useful. You will find templates that fit different tones and relationships. Each example explains the context so you can pick one that matches your godfather. We will also explain terms you might hear at a funeral so you know what people mean. If you need a short goodbye for a graveside service or a longer tribute for a celebration of life, this guide has you.

What Is a Eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors a person who has died. It is delivered at a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. A eulogy focuses on the life, personality, values, and relationships of the deceased. It is not an exhaustive biography. Think of it as a pointed portrait that tells everyone why this person mattered to you and to others.

Common related terms

• Obituary A written notice in a newspaper or online that summarizes the deceased life and funeral arrangements. It is usually factual and can include a short memory or quote.
• Wake A gathering before or after the funeral where family and friends pay respects. It can be formal or informal depending on culture.
• Graveside The portion of the service held at the burial site. It tends to be short and focused on final words and rituals.
• Pallbearer A person who carries or escorts the casket during the funeral. This role is often an honor reserved for close friends or family.
• Celebration of life A service that puts emphasis on memory and joy rather than ritual. It can include stories, music, and personal touches.

How Long Should a Eulogy Be

Most eulogies run between three and seven minutes. That is roughly 400 to 900 words when read at a steady pace. A shorter five minute talk can feel powerful and focused. A longer talk is fine for a celebration of life when multiple speakers are planned. If you are unsure, ask the family or the officiant for the expected time window. Keep your draft longer than the target time. You can cut material more easily than you can create calm mid speech.

Choosing a Tone

Your godfather relationship dictates tone more than any rule. Use one of these to choose a direction

• Warm and reverent If he was a spiritual guide or elder, keep the language respectful and reflective.
• Funny and honest If he loved a laugh and the family expects levity, include a few well chosen jokes or playful stories. Avoid jokes that humiliate or reopen old wounds.
• Casual and intimate If your family is informal, speak like you would at a backyard dinner. The goal is clarity not polish.
• Concise and formal For a church or military style funeral, keep to a clear structure and avoid overly personal secrets.

Basic Structure to Follow

Use a simple structure to stay focused and calm. Each section has a job.

Opening

Start by introducing yourself and your relationship to the deceased. Say your name if there are people who may not know you. Thank the host or officiant if appropriate. Give a single line that states why you are speaking. Example opening lines appear below.

Life overview

Offer a short summary of who he was. Mention birth year or place only if it adds meaning. Include roles like father, husband, veteran, mentor, chef, or mentor at work. This section sets context for your stories.

Personal memories

Share two to four short stories or details that reveal character. Focus on moments that show values, humor, or habits. Specificity makes the eulogy feel authentic. Name objects, places, and small gestures. Use scenes not long lists.

Values and lessons

Highlight what he taught you or others. Did he show how to be brave, practical, or kind? Keep this short. Turn memory into meaning with a sentence like I learned from him that X matters or He taught me how to Y.

Closing

End with a clear goodbye, a wish, a blessing, or a call to memory. You can read a short poem, a favorite quote, or invite the room to join in a closing line. Thank listeners and the family. If you are reading a prayer or poem, announce it briefly so heads lift and phones quiet.

Writing Steps You Can Use Today

1. Take fifteen minutes to make a memory list. Write every one line memory that comes to mind. Do not judge.
2. Choose three memories that feel different. Pick one funny or light, one tender, and one that shows character.
3. Draft an opening sentence that states who you are and why you speak.
4. Write a one paragraph life overview no longer than three sentences.
5. Write each memory as a short scene with sensory detail and action. Avoid long backstory between lines.
6. Write a single sentence that names what he taught you or what people will miss most.
7. Write a closing line that the room can remember. For example say his name with a single verb like Remember when or Keep his laugh alive.

Memory Harvest Prompts

If you feel stuck use these prompts to mine for material

• What object in his house told you he existed? Describe the object doing something.
• What was his weirdest habit? Why did you tolerate it? What did it reveal?
• When did he make you feel safe or seen? Describe the moment in one sentence.
• What was his default joke or phrase? Use it to create a ring phrase in your speech.
• Was there a moment he changed your mind about something? Describe the change and the line that caused it.

Examples and Templates You Can Use

Below are multiple full eulogies for different situations. Each includes a short note about tone and how to adapt the text. Replace bracketed sections with your own specifics. Keep the cadence natural when you read it out loud.

Example 1: Short and Tender for a Graveside Service

Context: Graveside services are usually short. Keep it under three minutes. This version is quiet and intimate.

Template

Hello everyone. My name is [Your Name]. I was lucky to call [Godfather Name] my godfather. Thank you for being here.

[Godfather Name] was the kind of person who noticed small things. He remembered your favorite coffee and the name of the dog you had as a kid. He taught me how to show up by showing up himself. One afternoon he drove across town just to help me fix a flat tire. While we cursed at the stubborn lug nuts he told me stories about his own mistakes and laughed like everything would turn out fine. That was his way.

He loved [short personal detail that shows character]. He did not pretend to be perfect. He loved fiercely and he loved loud. Today I will miss his laughter and the small steady ways he cared. Thank you for loving him and for being here. Rest easy, [Godfather Name]. We will keep telling your stories.

Example 2: Warm and Funny for a Celebration of Life

Context: This format is for a more informal event where humor is welcomed. Keep jokes kind. Let laughter breathe between lines.

Template

Hi everyone. I am [Your Name], godson of the man who called me by three different nicknames depending on whether he was proud of me or mad at me. When he was proud the nickname sounded like applause. When he was mad it sounded like a law review. Either way, I learned to live with both.

[Godfather Name] had a special relationship with [specific hobby or interest]. He could build a bookshelf that survived an earthquake. He could also break three chairs in the first week after finishing it. He claimed the chairs had structural issues. He claimed many things.

My favorite memory is the time he tried to teach me to dance. He insisted on starting with the two step which he called the foundation of all good moves. He stepped on my shoe and then we both laughed until the neighbors called to ask if everything was okay. At his core he wanted people to be present and to laugh. He was generous with time and terrible with directions. Those two things made him perfect for this family.

If you want to honor him today do one small thing he would have loved. Tell someone an embarrassing story about yourself and then offer them a coffee. That will make him proud. Thank you, [Godfather Name]. We will miss you but we will not forget to laugh.

Example 3: Religious and Reverent

Context: For a church funeral or when faith matters deeply. Mention scriptures or prayers only if you know the family is comfortable with that.

Template

Good morning. I am [Your Name], and I had the privilege of being [Godfather Name] godson. I want to thank [Officiant Name] and the family for bringing us together to remember him.

[Godfather Name] lived a life shaped by faith and service. He served as a lector at our church and he believed deeply in helping the next person. I remember him kneeling in quiet moments and praying for people he barely knew. He did not make a show of it. He simply trusted that prayer mattered.

One lesson he taught me was the value of patience. When I was young and restless he would say be patient and do the right thing. I did not always listen. Later I understood he was asking me to build a life worth living. Today we entrust him to God and hold close the lessons he gave. May he rest in peace and may we carry his faith forward.

Example 4: Estranged Relationship

Context: If your relationship was complicated you can be honest without airing private disputes. Focus on what you can genuinely say.

Template

My name is [Your Name]. I want to be honest about my relationship with [Godfather Name]. We were not close in recent years. We had disagreements and there are things I wish had been different. Still there are moments I will always carry.

When I was seventeen he wrote me a two page letter after I made a reckless choice. He did not scold. He told a story about a mistake he made when he was young. He wrote that mistakes do not define you unless you stop trying. That line stayed with me. It did not fix everything. It helped me keep moving.

Today I remember that even complicated people can leave helpful pieces behind. Maybe that is the best kind of blessing. Thank you.

Example 5: Veteran or Service Member

Context: For a godfather who served in the military. Keep the service details accurate. If unsure, check with family for rank and honors.

Template

Hello. I am [Your Name]. [Godfather Name] served in [branch of service], and that service informed his life. He believed in duty and in doing the small things without applause.

He used to return from deployments with awkward souvenirs and a stack of photos he never labeled. He loved telling stories about food in faraway places and the friends he made. He taught me to treat people with respect and to laugh whenever possible. His service mattered because it shaped his sense of responsibility to family and community.

We honor his memory and the sacrifices he made. Thank you for your example, [Godfather Name].

Templates You Can Copy and Customize

Below are fill in the blank templates. Replace bracket text and keep the parts that match your tone. Read them aloud and adapt the rhythm so it feels like you speaking.

Template A Short

Hello. I am [Your Name]. [Godfather Name] was my godfather. He loved [short detail]. I learned from him that [one value]. My favorite memory is [one short scene]. Thank you for being here. We will miss him and keep his stories alive.

Template B Extended

Hi everyone. I am [Your Name]. I want to say thank you for coming to celebrate [Godfather Name]. He was a [role] and a friend to many. He had a way of [character detail]. One afternoon he [memory in one to two sentences]. That story shows how he treated people. He taught me to [lesson]. I will carry that with me. If you want to honor him today, do something small he loved. Thank you, [Godfather Name], for everything.

Template C Religious

My name is [Your Name]. [Godfather Name] lived by his faith. He served as [role or ministry] and believed in [faith principle]. I will remember how he [memory that shows faith]. We commend him to God and to the care of all who loved him. Amen.

Editing Checklist Before You Print or Read

• Read aloud and time yourself. Aim for the agreed window.
• Replace general phrases with specific images.
• Remove anything that could embarrass the family or reveal private conflicts unless everyone has agreed.
• Check names and dates for accuracy. Mistakes on names feel avoidable.
• Ask a trusted family member or the officiant to glance at the draft if you are unsure about tone.

Delivery Tips When Emotions Surface

Public speaking is hard when you are grieving. Here are practical moves that help.

Use a printed copy with line breaks

Type your speech in large font and add blank lines between paragraphs. This makes it easier to breathe and gives you a place to pause if you need to compose yourself.

Mark emotional spots

Put a small star in the margin where you expect to pause or where a memory might bring tears. That star reminds you to slow down and breathe. Long breaths keep your voice steady.

Project to the back of the room

When you are crying your instinct may be to whisper. Instead imagine sending the words to the person three rows from the back. That helps you speak clearly and lets others hear you. If a microphone is present ask for guidance so your voice is captured even if you speak softly.

It is okay to stop

If you cannot finish, it is okay to pause and ask for time. People often step closer to support you. You can hand the speech to the officiant who can close with a short sentence if you need help finishing.

Practice once or twice

Run the speech aloud at least twice. Practice will not make the grief go away. It will make the rhythm familiar so you can find your place even if your eyes leak.

How to Include Humor Without Being Cruel

Humor can be a powerful salve. Use it carefully.

• Keep jokes short and kind. If the story makes a family member uncomfortable skip it.
• Use self deprecating humor. If you laugh at yourself you allow others to laugh with you.
• Limit the number of jokes. One or two moments of levity spread across the speech is enough.
• Avoid sarcasm aimed at the deceased or at people not present to respond.

When You Are Not Sure What to Say

If you are paralyzed by grief here are three options

• Read a short, meaningful quote or poem. That gives you structure and takes the pressure off creating all content in real time.
• Read a letter the deceased wrote or a note from the family. With permission this can be moving and accurate.
• Ask a co speaker. Two short speakers are easier than one long one. Share the role with someone who complements your tone.

Including Technology: Slideshows and Livestreams

Many millennials and younger families want to include photos or stream the service. Here are tips to keep technology smooth.

• Create a photo set of 20 to 30 images. Start childhood and move forward in time. Too many images can drag a service.
• Keep each image on screen for three to five seconds. Longer only if the image is complex or you plan to speak over it.
• For livestreams test the audio from the lectern. Ask the funeral home or venue tech to run a mic check with your voice before the service.
• If you are reading to camera maintain eye contact occasionally with the live camera. Imagine speaking to one person across the room.

What Not to Say

• Do not invent achievements or facts you are unsure about.
• Do not use the eulogy to settle old disputes or to make accusations.
• Do not overshare intimate medical details unless the family asked for it.
• Do not promise things you cannot keep in the name of memory. Keep gestures small and realistic.

Sample Opening Lines You Can Borrow

• Hello, I am [Your Name]. I had the honor of being called [Godfather Name] godson.
• My name is [Your Name]. To me he was the steady hand on the shoulder when life got loud.
• Thank you for coming. I am [Your Name] and today I will try to say out loud what he meant to me.
• Good afternoon. I am [Your Name]. If you knew [Godfather Name] you know he never hid a joke. I will tell one now and then I will tell a story that explains why he laughed like that.

How to Close the Eulogy

Finish with clarity. You can choose one of these closings

• Invitation to memory: Please join me in remembering his laugh and telling one story at the reception.
• Blessing: May he rest in peace and may we honor him by living kindly.
• Promise: I will carry his lesson and pass it on to my kids if I have them someday.
• Quote: Read a short line from a poem or a scripture that mattered to him.

Practical Logistics

Contact the funeral home or officiant and ask these questions early

• How many people are expected to speak and how long should each talk be
• Will there be a microphone and are there instructions for using it
• Is there a preferred order of service so your words fit the flow
• Can you share your text with the family ahead of time if they want to review

How to Deal with Multiple Speakers

If multiple people will speak coordinate so you are not repeating the same stories. Trade themes. For example one person gives the life overview and another gives personal memories. If you share a memory with another speaker agree who tells which part so the audience hears a single continuous scene rather than interrupted fragments.

Final Practical Tips

• Print two copies of your speech. Keep one in your pocket in case you drop one.
• Bring tissues and a bottle of water. Drinking helps when your voice tightens.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Physical comfort helps emotional steadiness.
• Ask a friend to stand near you in case you need a moment to breathe or to hand the microphone back.

Eulogy Examples Quick Reference

Short tender example for a graveside service

Hello everyone, I am [Your Name], godson of [Godfather Name]. He noticed small things and made people feel at home. One rainy afternoon he fixed my bike and told more stories than he fixed bolts. Today I will miss his laugh and his steady presence. Thank you for being here. We will tell his stories for years.

Warm funny example for a celebration of life

Hi I am [Your Name]. My godfather had more nicknames than he had socks. He loved a bad joke and a better barbecue. He taught me to make the best of a bad situation and to always bring dessert. If you want to honor him do something silly and share it with someone who needs it. Thank you, [Godfather Name].

Estranged relationship example

My name is [Your Name]. We were not close but I remember a letter he wrote when I made a mistake. He told me mistakes are part of becoming. We may not have had perfect time together but that letter stayed and helped. Thank you for listening and for remembering him in all his complexity.

FAQ About Writing and Delivering a Eulogy

Below are answers to common questions. Use them to make quick decisions when time is short.

How do I start a eulogy when I am nervous

Start with your name and your relationship to the deceased. That gives you a natural first two sentences to breathe into. Repeat the first line two times silently before you speak it. That quiet repetition helps your voice settle.

What if I cannot stop crying

Pause and breathe. Take a long slow inhale and exhale. If you cannot continue ask the officiant or a trusted person to finish. Most people will be supportive and understanding. Remember that emotion is not a failure. It is proof of love.

Should I read a poem or quote

Yes if it matters to you or the family. Keep it short. A poem that is too long may pull focus from your words. A short clean quote can anchor your memory and give you a break to breathe.

Is it okay to be funny in a eulogy

It is okay if it fits the deceased personality and the family tone. Make sure jokes are kind and do not reopen conflicts. One or two light moments are usually enough.

What if I do not remember exact dates or facts

Stick to feelings and scenes that you remember. Do not invent dates or exaggerate. If details matter ask a family member or the funeral director for the facts before you speak.

Can I give the eulogy from home for a livestream

Yes. Test the camera and sound, sit in a quiet room, and maintain eye contact with the lens now and then. If you will read from a screen increase the font size and keep your notes simple. Ask someone to moderate chat or comments so your words are not interrupted.