Writing a eulogy is never easy — but you’re not alone. To help you find the right words, we’ve gathered real eulogies written by families, each one offering a different way to honor a life.
Think of these as inspiration templates: you can adapt their structure, tone, or style to create your own heartfelt tribute.
✍️ 1. The Heartfelt Letter
Tone: Intimate, personal, direct
Use this if: You want to speak to your loved one, like a final message.
Template Outline:
- Start with a direct address: “Dear Grandpa…”
- Recall shared memories, small sensory details
- Reflect on what they taught you
- Express gratitude and love
- End with a personal promise or farewell
“Dear Papoune, Since you so often gave speeches — funny, sincere, and touching — I thought today was my turn…”
🔤 2. The ABC of a Life
Tone: Playful, yet profound
Use this if: You want to paint a complete picture, with a touch of humor.
Template Outline:
- Go through the alphabet (or a list)
- Assign a trait, habit, or memory to each letter
- Let personality and anecdotes shine
- End with a reflection on their legacy
👉 Read the full ABC tribute here
“A for André, of course. B for Bricoleur — always fixing things. C for Curiosity, even dreaming of moving to China in 1966…”
🌿 3. The Poetic Farewell — “Sait-on jamais, on verra bien”
Tone: Lyrical, symbolic, collective
Use this if: You want to close a ceremony with a meaningful refrain.
Template Outline:
- Choose a personal phrase or mantra they used
- Build short stanzas around that refrain
- Blend memories, values, and hope
- Let repetition create rhythm and comfort
“Sait-on jamais, on verra bien. Your memory is a garden, where the seeds you planted keep blooming…”
🚶 4. A Walk Through Life — The Biographical Eulogy
Tone: Narrative, chronological, grounded
Use this if: You want to tell their life story, step by step.
Template Outline:
- Childhood and origins
- Family, career, passions
- Defining moments, joys, challenges
- Final years and enduring legacy
- Close with a quote or family message
👉 Read the full life story tribute here
“Born in 1941, son of a Resistance fighter, André’s life was one of resilience, curiosity, and quiet determination…”
💬 5. The Emotional Mirror — From a Granddaughter’s Voice
Tone: Raw, tender, full of love
Use this if: You want to reflect on how they shaped your values and who you are.
Template Outline:
- Speak directly to them
- Recall the little things (phrases, habits, quirks)
- Describe how they still live through you
- End with a heartfelt thank you and promise to carry on their legacy
“You’ll be with us in every cherry tomato from the garden, every badly-timed pun, every ‘ssh’ during a movie…”
📚 How to Use These Eulogy Examples
There is no perfect way to say goodbye. But by reading real tributes, you might find your own voice.
Feel free to adapt these templates:
- Change the tone (serious or light)
- Pick a structure that feels natural
- Focus on memories that matter to you
👉 Read our practical guide: How to Write a Eulogy (step-by-step)
🛠 Create a Collective Tribute with Willow
If you’d like to gather stories, photos, and messages from friends & family, try our Willow collaborative tribute tool.
It helps create a living memory of your loved one — simply, gently, together.
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