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Eulogy Examples and Funeral Speech Templates

A general outline, six eulogies by relationship, and two short guides on how long to speak and how to close.

If you have to speak at a funeral in the next few days, start with the general guide to writing a funeral speech. It gives a fill-in outline you can complete in one sitting. Then open the eulogy examples for the person you are speaking about.

The relationship guides differ in the problem they solve. The grandmother page offers memory prompts for when the stories will not come. The grandfather and brother pages cover relationships that were distant or complicated. The friend page deals with speaking in front of a family you may not know.

Two shorter guides answer single questions. One is about length: it recommends three to five minutes, roughly 350 to 600 words at the slower pace people speak at when they are grieving. The other covers the last minute of the speech, which is the hardest part to deliver. Read your speech aloud several times before the service. The lines that catch in your throat at home are the ones to slow down for on the day.

Start here: outline, length and ending

Eulogies by relationship

Read the eulogy aloud before the service

Practice delivering it in the public speaking practice in SayNow AI and get feedback on fluency and structure before you stand up to speak.

Free to download · iOS and Android

Frequently asked questions

How long should a eulogy be?
Three to five minutes works for almost every service, which is roughly 350 to 600 words at the slower pace of someone who is grieving. If you want one number, the length guide suggests four minutes: short enough to hold the room and long enough to tell one real story properly.
What is the difference between a eulogy and a funeral speech?
A eulogy is the tribute that tells the story of the person's life and character. Funeral speech is the wider term and also covers shorter remarks, readings and thanks to those attending. People use the two words interchangeably, and the guides here work for both.
What if I start crying while I am speaking?
Stop, breathe and carry on when you can. Nobody in the room expects you to be composed. The guide to ending a funeral speech suggests marking your closing sentence in bold on the printed page, so your eyes can find it and get you to the end even if you lose your place. It also helps to ask someone to be ready to finish reading for you.
Is it acceptable to read a eulogy from a page?
Yes. Reading from a printed page is normal at a funeral and far safer than trying to memorize a speech while grieving. Rehearse it aloud beforehand so you can look up at the end of sentences.

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