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

You were asked to speak about your manager and you are thinking I am not ready for this. Cool. Most people are not. You have to say something that honors a person who mattered in a professional space while also feeling honest and human. This guide gives you clear structure, sample eulogies you can adapt, practical advice about coordination and etiquette, and coaching on how to deliver under pressure. Read this and you will leave with a draft ready to edit and rehearse.

Everything here is written for people who want to be real and respectful. We will cover what a eulogy is, how to get permission and information from family, what to include and avoid, templates for different manager personalities, timing and length advice, and tips for handling emotion on the mic. You will also get sample scripts you can copy and customize. Let us make this less awful and more true.

What is a Eulogy

A eulogy is a spoken tribute delivered at a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. It is usually a brief speech that explains who the person was, what they meant to others, and why they will be missed. A eulogy is not an obituary. An obituary is a written public notice that lists basic facts like birth date, family, and funeral arrangements. A eulogy is personal and reflective. It is a human response rather than a record.

Before You Start Writing

There are practical steps to take before you draft your speech. These will save you awkwardness and help you deliver something the family and coworkers will appreciate.

Confirm who asked you to speak

Did your manager s family ask you? Did HR ask you? Did the team captain you? Make sure you know who invited you and whether the family wants a formal eulogy or a casual memory. Ask the organizer directly about tone, length, and place in the program.

Ask the family what they want you to say

It is professional to check with a family member. They might want you to avoid details about health or workplace conflict. They might want you to focus on humor and lightness. Ask about names of survivors so you can speak accurately about family relationships. This is also your chance to ask for stories you do not know.

Collect facts

Get essential facts you may want to mention like pronouns, preferred name, dates only if appropriate, service details, and charities the family prefers donations to. Note the job title only if the family is comfortable with it. A good eulogy connects a person s life with the small acts of leadership and care they showed us.

Coordinate with the officiant or funeral director

Confirm your speaking slot, any microphone setup, and whether readings will be printed in the program. Ask if there is tech for a slideshow and how long it will run. Make sure you can practice with the mic if you are nervous about volume or feedback.

How Long Should a Eulogy for a Manager Be

Keep it short and meaningful. Aim for two to five minutes. In words that is about two hundred to six hundred words. If you have a strong reason to speak longer like representing a large team with multiple departments coordinate with the family first. Most audiences will prefer concise honest memories that do not drag.

Structure You Can Use Right Now

Use a simple three part structure. This is predictable and easy to write. It lets listeners follow and gives you natural places to breathe if emotion hits.

• Opening say who you are and how you knew them. Offer one short sentence that captures your relationship. Example I am Maria. I worked with Daniel for seven years and he taught me how to lead without loudness.
• Body tell two to three specific stories or qualities. Use names, images, or short quotes the manager used. Keep each story to three to five sentences. Focus on moments that show character like mentorship, fairness, or unexpected kindness.
• Closing say why you will miss them and offer a wish for those listening or a call to remember. Thank the family and the audience for listening and end with a short line that people can hold on to like We will try to be better for having known her.

Powerful Opening Lines

You do not need to invent a theatrical opener. Open with clarity and name the relationship. Here are examples you can use or adapt.

• Hello my name is Jamal and I managed the marketing team under Claire for five years.
• Good afternoon I am Priya and I reported directly to Mark. He taught me to speak first then to listen.
• I am David from accounting. Lynn always called me the numbers whisperer and then taught me to laugh at my spreadsheets.

What to Include in the Body

The body is where you make the person feel three dimensional. Pick two to three themes and give one concrete anecdote for each theme. Themes could be leadership, humor, mentorship, integrity, curiosity, or community service.

Guidelines for stories

• Be specific. Instead of Saying She was kind, say She would show up with coffee on my worst morning and sit until I had a plan.
• Use names. If you tell a story about a project include who else was there so the memory rings true for coworkers who remember the moment.
• Keep it brief. Stick to three to five sentences per story. A single clear image is more powerful than five pages of context.
• Be honest but respectful. If the manager had flaws you do not have to pretend they were perfect. Focus on how they tried, learned, or made others better.

What to Avoid

There are certain traps that turn a speech awkward fast. Avoid these.

• Do not rehearse a roast. Memories with bite belong in private not behind a mic in a grieving room.
• Do not litigate office history. This is not the time for performance reviews or grievances.
• Do not overshare medical details. If the family wants a public recap they will give one through an obituary or statement.
• Do not use inside jokes many will not get. Keep references accessible so the whole audience can follow.

Language and Tone

Your manager was a boss at work but also a person with friends and family. Strike a tone that mixes professional respect with human warmth. Use conversational language. Imagine you are saying this in a quiet room to a person who needs to hear they mattered. Millennial readers will appreciate plain direct lines that are not saccharine.

Examples You Can Use and Adapt

Below are five full eulogy examples for different manager personalities. Each example includes a short template version you can copy and paste into your draft. Replace bracketed text with your details.

Example 1: The Mentor Manager

Full example

Hello I am Hannah and I worked with Claire for six years. Claire had a way of making you feel like your first idea was worth hearing. When I joined the team I had no idea how to run a budget. Claire sat with me for an hour by the window and drew a whiteboard plan. She did not fix the problem for me. She asked questions until I could see the answer myself. That is what she did for everyone. She saw potential and then she refused to let us hide from it. In meetings she would point out one good choice and then challenge us to explain why. Outside work she volunteered at the local literacy program and she never missed a recital for her nieces. I will miss the gentle push she gave me on days I wanted to quit. I will miss the sticky notes of encouragement she left around the office. To Claire s family thank you for sharing her. We will keep pushing each other the way she pushed us. Thank you.

Template

Hello I am [Name] and I worked with [Manager Name] for [time period]. [Two sentence anecdote showing mentorship]. [Short note about life outside work]. I will miss [one personal detail]. Thank you to the family for sharing [Manager Name] with us. We will try to honor them by [simple commitment].

Example 2: The Tough but Fair Manager

Full example

Hi I am Omar I worked under Luis for four years. Luis was not the type to give praise for small things. He expected a lot and he gave a lot back in return. I remember when our team missed a deadline and morale crashed. Luis came in early the next day and made coffee for everyone then said Let s fix it. He did not yell. He broke the problem into steps and made a plan. He stood with us through late nights and he did not accept shortcuts. That toughness taught us standards and respect for the work. He also had a soft corner for ridiculous sweaters and would always wear the ugliest one at holiday parties. For Luis s family thank you. We will honor him by keeping standards and by laughing more at silly sweaters. Thank you.

Template

Hi I am [Name] I worked with [Manager Name] for [time]. [One anecdote showing expectations and support]. [One personal note that humanizes them]. Thank you to the family for sharing [Manager Name]. We will honor them by [a simple actionable commitment].

Example 3: The Funny Manager

Full example

Hello I am Sara from operations. You may have noticed an empty chair at the front there was always a joke waiting in it. Alex used humor like duct tape. He could hold a tense review together with one absurd comment and then get everyone back to work. Once our server crashed and Alex walked in with a cape and a toy hammer and said I m here to fix things. The server did not miraculously come back but the team loosened up and we solved the problem faster. Alex also loved his garden and would bring lettuce to the office for anyone brave enough to eat it. I am going to miss his timing and his ridiculous confidence. Thank you to Alex s family for sharing him with us. We will laugh when we remember him and then keep building the work he believed in. Thank you.

Template

Hello I am [Name]. [Manager Name] worked [time] with us and used humor to make hard work lighter. [One funny anecdote]. [One humanizing detail]. We will miss [Manager Name] s laugh and we will remember to [a small way to honor them]. Thank you.

Example 4: The Long Time Leader

Full example

Good morning I am Miguel from client services. I joined the company twenty five years ago and within six months I realized Martha was the reason we had culture. She started the lunch club where new people met senior staff and she pushed for flexible schedules long before it was common. She had a memory for birthdays and a file of every person s small wins. When budgets were tight she found the money for professional development because she believed people were the work. She taught a generation of leaders how to care and also how to be rigorous. Martha loved Sunday dinners and she cooked for whoever needed company. To Martha s family thank you for sharing her. We will carry forward the choices she made for people and for excellence. Thank you.

Template

Good morning I am [Name]. I worked with [Manager Name] for [time]. [Two details that show legacy and culture]. [One personal detail]. Thank you to the family. We will honor [Manager Name] by [maintaining their practices or values].

Example 5: The Remote Manager

Full example

Hello I am Lina your remote teammate. Hugo joined us across time zones and somehow made us feel closer. His Slack messages were full of gifs and he made a point to start our Monday calls with a question like What small win did you have this weekend. He was the one who noticed when someone stopped replying and would message privately to check in. Despite never meeting several of us in person he made space for our lives. He loved weekend hikes and had a list of recommended trails for anyone who asked. I will miss his check ins and his ability to make remote work feel like human work. Thank you to Hugo s family for bringing him into our lives. We will keep asking the small question and checking in. Thank you.

Template

Hello I am [Name] from [location or team]. [Manager Name] made remote work feel personal by [specific habit]. [One anecdote]. We will miss [Manager Name] s presence. Thank you to the family. We will honor them by [simple action].

Practical Tips for Editing Your Draft

• Read your draft out loud. You will hear where sentences run long or breathe wrong.
• Cut any sentence that repeats what you already said unless it adds new feeling or image.
• Replace vague praise with concrete moments. Instead of She was a great leader use She started the mentorship program and matched five junior staff with coaches.
• Ask someone you trust to read it. Offer them context like The family prefers light humor or The family prefers strictly professional tone.

Delivery Tips

Speaking in public while emotional is hard. These tactics will keep your voice steady and your message clear.

Use a printed copy

Have a printed version of your speech. Include double spaced lines and short paragraphs. Use bold for names and for the line you want to close with. Avoid using your phone since screens can shuffle or lock unexpectedly.

Practice with the mic

Ask to test the microphone beforehand. Walk the space if possible so you get comfortable with the distance and the sound. If no mic is available practice projecting. Breathe from your belly and speak slightly slower than normal.

Plan for tears

Bring a handkerchief or tissues. If you need a pause take one. Say I need a moment and breathe. Audiences expect pauses and they will support you. If your voice breaks keep going. Emotion makes the speech sincere not weak.

Use signals

Annotate your sheet with cues like Pause here, Smile, or Lift chin. These small signals help when your mind is foggy. If you forget a line do a one sentence summary and continue. The aim is to communicate feeling not deliver a flawless performance.

When You Are Representing a Team

If you are speaking on behalf of many coworkers there are extra steps to take.

• Collect one or two short quotes from peers to include. This spreads ownership for the memory.
• Confirm with HR or the family any company messaging. Do not use the speech to announce future plans without clearance.
• Keep the speech time the same. A team representative does not need to speak for longer than five to seven minutes unless agreed with the family.

How to Handle Sensitive Topics

Sometimes there are sensitive workplace matters like legal issues or public controversies. Do not use the eulogy to rehash these. If the family wants an honest acknowledgement they will advise you. If you are unsure ask an immediate family member or the officiant how they want the topic handled.

What If You Are Not Comfortable Speaking

If you are asked and you are certain you cannot deliver do this instead.

• Offer to write a short written tribute that will be read by someone else. Keep it under three paragraphs.
• Offer to record a short video tribute if the family is collecting messages for a montage.
• Participate in other meaningful ways such as organizing a donation in the manager s name or helping with a memory book.

How to Close Your Eulogy

Close with a brief summary and a thank you. Offer a simple wish for the family or a call to remember. Examples include We will carry their curiosity forward, Thank you for letting me be part of their life, or Let us honor them by treating each other kindly at work.

Short Sample Closings You Can Copy

• We will carry their example forward in the work we do.
• Thank you for sharing [Name] with us. We will miss them dearly.
• Let s honor them by checking in on one another the way they did.

Checklist Before You Leave for the Service

• Confirm arrival time and who you will sit with.
• Bring a printed copy of your speech plus an extra copy for the officiant.
• Bring tissues and a bottle of water.
• Dress according to the family s wishes. When in doubt choose understated respectfulness over showiness.
• Turn off your phone or set it to silent. Do not record without permission.

Legal and HR Notes

When a manager dies there are often HR processes that follow. If you will discuss benefits or company policy do not make public announcements from the podium. Connect with HR for guidance. If the family requests donations to a charity list the details with them first. Protect privacy and do not share payroll or personnel details in the speech.

Glossary of Terms

We include plain definitions for terms you may hear while planning or speaking.

• Eulogy a spoken tribute at a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. It focuses on a person s character and impact.
• Obituary a written public notice that provides facts about a death and service arrangements.
• Celebration of life an event that focuses more on stories and remembrance than on ritual. It can be less formal than a traditional funeral.
• Order of service the planned sequence of events at a funeral or memorial. It lists speakers, music, readings, and any rituals.
• Officiant the person who leads the service. They might be clergy, a funeral director, or a chosen friend.
• Condolence an expression of sympathy. Condolence messages can be verbal cards or written notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I balance professionalism and personal feeling in a manager eulogy

Lead with who they were in the workplace and then add one or two personal memories that show character. Avoid petty details and keep stories accessible to a general audience. The best approach is honest warmth. Say what you admired and how they helped you become better at work and at life.

Is humor appropriate

Usually yes if the family is comfortable with it. Use light humor that humanizes rather than embarrasses. A single quick anecdote that makes people smile is better than a long comedic bit. When in doubt ask a family member or the officiant.

Can I read a poem instead of speaking about the manager

Yes if the family prefers or if you think a poem captures what you feel. Make sure the poem is appropriate and ask for permission to include it in the program. If you choose a poem add one sentence about why you chose it so listeners understand the connection.

What if I forget my words

Pause and breathe. Look up and summarize the idea you wanted to say in one sentence. The audience will follow. If emotion makes it impossible to continue ask the officiant to finish your thought or hand the mic to someone else. You are allowed to be human.

Should I mention the manager s job achievements

Yes briefly. Mention key achievements that mattered to coworkers or the organization. Keep it to one or two sentences. The heart of the eulogy should be about who they were with people not just what they did on paper.

What if multiple people were asked to speak

Coordinate with others. Decide who will cover which theme like leadership, mentorship, or family stories. Avoid repeating the same stories. Keep each person s time focused and respectful of the program s length.

Sample Email to Request Family Permission

Use this short message to reach out to a family member to confirm your role and preferences. Replace bracket items before sending.

Subject Hello from [Your Name] about [Manager Name] s memorial

Hi [Family Member Name],

I am [Your Name]. I worked with [Manager Name] as [your role]. I was asked to speak at the memorial and I wanted to check with you about tone and content. Would you prefer a formal eulogy or short personal remarks? Are there topics you would like me to avoid? Also could you confirm how you would like the manager s professional role mentioned? I want to honor your wishes. Thank you for your time. I am sorry for your loss.

Best [Your Name]

Action Plan You Can Use Today

1. Contact the family or the organizer to confirm tone and length.
2. Collect two to three specific anecdotes from colleagues or from your memory. Pick one image for each anecdote.
3. Write a one sentence opening that states who you are and how you knew them.
4. Draft a closing line that says why you will miss them and offers a simple call to remember.
5. Read your draft out loud and cut any sentence that repeats information.
6. Print the final copy double spaced and rehearse with the microphone if possible.