How to Write a Eulogy for Your Team Mate - Eulogy Examples & Tips

You have to speak about someone who mattered to the people you work with. Maybe you were asked because you are the manager. Maybe you were the person who sat next to them for five years. Maybe you were their project buddy or their emergency coffee runner. Whatever the reason, writing a eulogy for a team mate feels heavy and a little terrifying. This guide gets you from blank page to a real, human tribute that your colleagues will remember with gratitude.

This is written for busy people who want clarity and usable examples. Expect a practical structure, tips for tone, how to avoid common traps, legal and HR considerations for workplace memorials, and multiple ready to use eulogy templates you can adapt. We explain terms and acronyms as they come up so nothing feels like insider jargon. Read it in one go or jump to the example that fits your situation.

Why a workplace eulogy matters

At work we often know people by the roles they played and the rituals they kept. A eulogy connects their personal story to the team story. It gives names to the grief people might not know how to voice. It helps the team process loss together. Saying something honest and specific validates what people are feeling and starts the work of remembering.

For many co-workers this may be the first time they hear who a person really was outside of meetings and Slack messages. The eulogy can humanize and restore depth to a relationship that was mostly professional. That makes it one of the most meaningful things you can do for your team in a moment like this.

Before you write: gather, ask, and check

Start with research. A rushed or incorrect memory will be more painful than helpful. Use these steps before you write a single sentence.

1. Talk to the family if you can

Family members know the stories and the boundaries. They can tell you what they want mentioned and what to avoid. Ask if there are specific requests about tone, religious content, or any topics that are off limits. If the family prefers no eulogy, honor that request and talk with your team about alternative ways to remember.

2. Ask colleagues for memories and facts

Send a short, plain message to close colleagues asking for a memory, a fact about the person, and any photos. Collect dates like birth year and place if the family cannot help. You can also ask about nicknames and preferred pronouns. Confirm spellings and job titles because factual errors will distract from the message.

3. Check HR and company policy

Human resources may have rules about speeches at company events, virtual memorials, or posting about a death on internal channels. Check bereavement leave policies. Bereavement leave is time off given for grieving covering immediate family in many companies. It may also give guidance on how the company will communicate the passing. Ask HR what the company will announce and what they expect from managers. That prevents mixed messages.

4. Clarify format and timing

Is the eulogy for a funeral service, a workplace memorial, a virtual call, or a short remembrance at a team meeting? If it is a funeral, ask how long the family wants you to speak. If it is a workplace or virtual event, timing is usually 3 to 7 minutes. Short is powerful. Aim for warmth and specificity rather than a life story that runs like a resume.

Set the right tone for a team mate

Workplace eulogies have to balance professional context and personal memory. Pick a tone that fits the person and the audience. Here are profiles to consider.

• Professional and composed for public funerals or when family asks for formality.
• Warm and conversational for a team meeting where people knew the person at a day to day level.
• Funny and loving if the family and colleagues loved their humor. Keep jokes brief and kind.
• Sober and reflective for sudden deaths or when people are in deep shock. Let silence breathe between lines.

Whatever tone you choose, avoid long lists of achievements that sound like a LinkedIn bio. People remember stories about how someone showed up for others. Put feeling into small, specific moments.

Structure that works

A clear structure saves time and keeps you grounded. Use three parts: introduction, two or three brief stories, and a closing that points forward. That formula keeps the eulogy focused and memorable.

Introduction

Say who you are, how you knew the person, and offer one sentence that captures the essence of why you are speaking. Keep this to 30 to 45 seconds.

Stories

Tell two or three short, concrete stories that support a single idea. The idea might be that the person was reliable, funny, curious, or a mentor. Each story should have details like objects, places, and small actions. Aim for 30 to 90 seconds per story depending on your time limit.

Closing

End with a short reflection and an action for the team to carry forward. The action might be to plant a tree, create a small memorial fund, share a memory, or simply hold a minute of silence. Close with a line the team can repeat or remember.

What to include and what to skip

Here is a checklist of what strengthens a workplace eulogy and what can be harmful or distracting.

Include

• The person's full name and the name they preferred.
• How long they worked with the team and in what capacity.
• Specific stories that show character. Small details matter.
• A quote the person loved or a line that captures their approach to work or life.
• A simple call to remember or a way to support the family or team.

Skip

• Private medical details unless the family asked you to share them. Keep health specifics off the table.
• Office gossip or anything that can be misread as blame.
• Long lists of titles and awards that feel like a CV. Focus on people moments.
• Overly graphic descriptions of the circumstances of death. Respect privacy and dignity.

How to write it: a step by step method

Follow this writing routine to produce a clear eulogy in a few focused hours.

Step 1. Choose your single idea

Pick a single sentence that captures the central truth you want the team to keep. Examples

• Sam made complicated things feel possible.
• Rina laughed loudly and defended people quietly.
• Marcus built the kind of trust that made teams safer.

Everything you say should support that idea. This keeps the speech coherent and emotionally resonant.

Step 2. Gather two or three stories

Ask colleagues for one sentence memories. Choose stories that show the idea in different contexts. One could be a work example, one could be about kindness outside work, and one could be about personality or humor.

Step 3. Write a simple draft

Use the structure above. Keep language like you are speaking to a friend. Avoid jargon and corporate-speak. If your team uses acronyms like OKR or KPI explain them briefly the first time. For example explain OKR as objectives and key results. The goal is clarity.

Step 4. Edit for clarity and length

Read aloud and time yourself. Trim any sentence that repeats the same point. Replace vague language with concrete detail. If a line can be shortened without losing emotion, shorten it. Aim for 3 to 5 minutes in many workplace contexts. If the family asked you to talk longer, expand with one more story and a few photos if appropriate.

Step 5. Practice delivery

Practice out loud at least three times. Mark breaths in your notes. Practice pauses after a strong line so the room can feel it. If you are worried about crying, practice reading through tears until the words become familiar. That helps your voice keep steady during emotion.

Delivery tips for the day

Your delivery matters as much as your words. Here are practical tips to help you get through it.

• Bring printed notes with large type rather than relying on your phone. Paper is easier to hold and less likely to slip.
• Start slow. Nervous speakers rush. Give each sentence space.
• Look up. Make contact with people in the room for a moment. You do not need to make prolonged eye contact. Looking around gently keeps it human.
• If you get emotional pause, breathe. Say a short sentence like I am sorry I need a moment and breathe in front of the audience. People understand.
• If you cannot finish stand with someone else ready to close. It is okay to ask for help mid speech.

Language to use and language to avoid

Words carry different weight in grief. Use plain, specific language. Avoid euphemism overload. Saying passed away is fine if that is the family preference. Saying expired or departed can feel distant. Use the name of the person if you can. Names anchor memory. Use their pronouns consistently. If you are unsure about pronouns ask HR or the family. Correct usage matters.

Adapting for virtual memorials

Virtual memorials are common. They have different technical constraints so plan accordingly.

• Ask the host to mute all participants and have a single speaker queue to avoid accidental interruptions.
• Keep visuals minimal. If you show photos, limit to 6 to 10 images with 10 to 15 seconds each.
• Share your notes with the host in case your audio fails. They can read your words if needed.
• Expect more abrupt emotion online because screens flatten presence. Allow time for people to respond in chat or through a shared document where people can add memories.

Workplace and legal considerations

There are practical boundaries to observe when speaking about a team mate in an official capacity.

Confidentiality and privacy

Respect medical privacy. Do not disclose medical history or cause of death unless the family explicitly asked you to. If a death is under investigation or sensitive, defer to the family and HR on what can be shared. Privacy protects the family and the team.

Defamation and blame

Avoid assigning blame for the death. Even if circumstances were complicated, a eulogy is not the place for accusations. Focus on the person not the incident. If the team needs to address safety issues later do that in a separate meeting led by HR.

Company announcements

Coordinate with your communications team. The initial company announcement often comes from HR or leadership. Make sure your speech does not conflict with official messages. That prevents confusion and duplication of sensitive information.

How long should it be

Timing depends on context. For a workplace memorial or team meeting 3 to 7 minutes is ideal. For a funeral 5 to 10 minutes is common. Shorter is powerful. If you are asked to speak for 15 minutes check with family first. People remember a few vivid stories far more than a long list of facts.

Using humor respectfully

Humor can be healing. Use it if the family and the person loved it. Keep jokes small and character focused rather than mean. Test humor with a colleague who knew the person well. If you are unsure leave the joke out. Something that lands as cruel in a grief filled room will be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Examples you can adapt

Below are ready to use templates and full sample eulogies for common workplace scenarios. Replace bracketed text with specific details. Read each sample aloud to see how it feels.

Short 2 minute team meeting tribute

Sample

Hi everyone. I am [Your Name]. I worked with [Name] for [X] years on [Team or Project]. I want to say one thing about [Name] that I think we all felt. [Name] made hard days easier by being steady and present. I remember one afternoon when our launch seemed like it would fall apart. [Short anecdote that shows steadiness]. That was [Name] in a sentence. If you want to share a memory later there will be a thread in [Channel or Email]. For now let us take a moment to remember the way [Name] made this place better just by being here. Thank you.

Manager eulogy for a beloved senior team mate 5 minutes

Sample

Hello. I am [Your Name] and I had the privilege of working with [Name] as their manager for [X] years. I want to begin with something practical because it says a lot about who [Name] was. Every Monday they would send an update that had two things. One a clear list of progress and two a little note about someone who helped them. That small habit showed how [Name] saw work as a collaboration not a solo race. One memory that stays with me is when we were a week from deadline and two critical systems failed. [Name] stayed until midnight diagnosing, ordering parts, and then came in the next morning with fresh coffee for the whole ops crew. They fixed the problem and refused to be thanked. That was typical. Outside of work [Name] loved [hobby] and often talked about [personal detail]. They were as proud of [personal achievement] as they were of our team wins. Today we will set up a small memorial fund to support [family need or cause] and I will share details after this service. In the meantime we will miss [Name] at our stand ups and in our inboxes but we will carry forward the way they worked cleanly and cared freely. Thank you.

Close colleague and friend eulogy with humor 6 minutes

Sample

Hey everyone. I am [Your Name]. I shared a desk with [Name] and several terrible playlists for [X] years. If you knew [Name] you knew two things immediately. One they made the best peanut butter sandwiches in the building and two they had opinions on every obscure streaming show. My go to memory is a Thursday when the database crashed and everyone panicked. [Name] calmly brewed another coffee and said we should breathe and then fix one problem at a time. They taught me that calm is an action not an emotion. They also once convinced me to audition for the holiday karaoke and then performed a power ballad in front of the whole company. They were brave that way. Outside work they loved [personal detail]. Please feel free to add memories in the channel we set up. We will miss their laugh and their playlist recommendations. Rest easy [Name].

Remote team member eulogy for virtual memorial 4 minutes

Sample

Hello. I am [Your Name] on behalf of the team. Even though most of our interactions with [Name] were online they were a real presence for us. They had a weird habit of greeting every morning with an xkcd comic and a note that said good morning from [City]. It became part of our rhythm. One story I want to remember is the sprint where we thought a feature was impossible. [Name] volunteered to take the hardest ticket and walked us through the logic step by step in a call while drawing diagrams on a shared whiteboard. They turned an abstract task into something teachable. Outside of work they loved [hobby]. Today we have a shared space where you can drop photos and messages. We will also be donating to [charity] in [Name]’s memory. Thank you.

Template: a fillable eulogy you can adapt

Template

Hello. My name is [Your Name]. I worked with [Name] for [X years/months] as [role]. I want to share what [Name] meant to the team. [Single idea sentence].

First, [short story one that shows idea and includes a detail].

Second, [short story two that shows another angle].

Outside work [Name] loved [hobby or interest]. One image I keep is [image like a coffee mug, a bike, a garden]. It helps me remember their presence. If you would like to support the family we are doing [practical support or donation details]. If you want to share a memory please post it to [channel]. Thank you for being here.

How to handle intense emotion while speaking

If you feel like you might break down here are quick strategies you can use in the moment.

• Pause and breathe. Take one honest breath before you continue. The room will mirror your composure.
• Drink water slowly before you speak. A sip buys a few seconds of calm.
• Have a friend stand nearby who knows the speech and can finish a sentence for you if needed.
• Tell the audience briefly that you need a moment. People find that simple honesty grounding.
• Use a single short reading or quote on a small card and read slowly. The rhythm of someone else’s words can steady you.

After the eulogy: keep the team supported

Grief continues after the service. As a manager or co-worker you can do practical, low friction things that help.

• Share resources like the company Employee Assistance Program. Explain EAP by saying it is a confidential service where people can get counseling sessions often paid by the employer.
• Set up optional group check ins. They can be brief and structured so people who do not want to talk are not forced to share.
• Make workload adjustments. Buffer major deadlines if possible. Grief reduces cognitive bandwidth.
• Create a permanent memory space like a shared photo album or a small physical memorial in the office with family permission.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Avoid long biographies that read like a resume. Replace lists of accomplishments with specific stories about character.
• Do not diagnose. Avoid explaining how someone died unless the family wants that public. Keep medical details private.
• Do not overshare. A eulogy is not a therapy session for the speaker. Be honest but focused on the person being remembered.
• Do not use workplace jargon as the main language. Acronyms like KPI or ROI are fine to mention if relevant but explain them in plain English. For example say KPI meaning key performance indicator and then move on.

Quick edit checklist before you print

• Spell the person's name correctly and include the name they used.
• Confirm pronouns and family name spellings with HR or family.
• Time yourself. Aim for the pre agreed length.
• Cut any sentence that sounds like it praises your own actions instead of the person.
• Remove any line that could be interpreted as blame.

Words and closers you can borrow

If you want a closing line here are some options that land well in a workplace setting.

• [Name] taught us how to be better at our jobs and kinder to each other. That is a gift we will keep.
• We will miss [Name] at every meeting and every lunch. We will honor them by showing up for each other.
• May we carry forward [Name]’s curiosity and patience in everything we build together.
• If you want to share a memory the family would love to hear from you. We will share a link in the chat.

Closing actions teams often take

Teams usually do one practical thing to honor a colleague. Options that balance meaning and simplicity.

• Create a memorial fund for a cause the person cared about.
• Plant a tree or add a plaque in a communal space with family approval.
• Dedicate a meeting room or a bench in the office.
• Donate unused vacation days to an emergency fund for the family if company policy allows that. Check HR first.

When you should ask someone else to speak

If you are not the right person to speak ask someone who is closer. The right speaker is someone who knew the person well and can tell true stories without creating controversy. If the person had a public role at work consider asking a peer and a family member to both say a few words so perspectives feel complete.

Resources and tools

Tools that help you write and deliver

• Timer or phone stopwatch for practice runs.
• Large font printed notes for reading during the service.
• Shared document or Slack channel to collect memories and photos.
• Company EAP contact for counseling and grief support.

Frequently asked questions

How do I balance professional achievements with personal stories

Start with one brief factual line about the person's role and service length. Then move quickly to two or three personal stories that show character. Let achievements be the frame not the focus. People remember the way someone made them feel more than the list of awards.

Is it okay to cry while delivering a eulogy

Yes. It is human. If you cry that will be understood by the audience. Pause, breathe, and continue when you can. If you are worried about getting stuck ask a friend to stand by who can finish a line if needed. People would rather hear honesty than a performance that hides feeling.

Can I use humor in a eulogy for a team mate

Yes if the person and the family appreciated humor. Keep jokes kind and brief. Test any potentially edgy line with someone close to the person before you speak. When in doubt leave it out.

What if the death was controversial or complicated

Focus the speech on the person not the circumstances. A eulogy is a space to remember character, kindness, and specific acts. If there are safety or legal questions they should be handled separately by HR or appropriate authorities. Avoid speculation in the memorial.

Should I include religious language

Only include religious language if you know the family and the audience will be comfortable. For mixed audiences keep references general and human. If the event is at a religious venue coordinate with the officiant about appropriate language.