Grief has a way of silencing us just when we want to speak the most. You want to honor someone, but the words feel heavy, or they just won’t come at all. Writing a eulogy is tough under the best circumstances, but when you’re in the thick of it, it can feel impossible. Hopefully, these examples and tips can act as a bit of a roadmap to help you write a tribute that feels right—something that actually celebrates the life they lived.
Quick Resource
Celebration Of Life Generator
A simple tool to help you organize memories, find the right tone, and write a meaningful celebration of life speech—even when the words feel hard to access.
I remember when my grandfather passed; I sat staring at a blank notebook for what felt like hours. I was trying to be profound, but nothing stuck. It wasn’t until I stopped trying to be “writerly” and just thought about the specific stuff—our fishing trips, or his terrible dad jokes—that the words finally started to flow. It’s those little personal touches that turn a speech into a memory.
Finding the right words is hard—try the Celebration Of Life Generator to turn memories into a heartfelt tribute.
Things to Keep in Mind Before You Write
Before you stress about the exact phrasing, take a step back and think about the “vibe” of the speech. A celebration of life isn’t quite the same as a traditional funeral, so the rules are a little different.
The Vibe and Tone
A celebration of life is exactly that—a celebration. The goal is to lift people up. Unlike a somber funeral service, you usually want to keep things a bit lighter here. Focus on gratitude, joy, and the good stuff they left behind.
That said, read the room. Think about what the family wants and who the deceased actually was. If they were a prankster, it’s okay to be funny. If they were serious and devout, reflect that. If you’re stuck, looking at celebration of life ideas can help you figure out the theme.
Not sure how light or reflective your speech should be? The Celebration Of Life Generator can help you shape the tone naturally.
Making it Personal
The worst eulogies are the ones that could apply to anyone. You want to avoid the cookie-cutter templates. To make it real, you need the specific quirks that made them them.
| The Element | What it Means | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Stories | Real moments or incidents that actually happened. | It makes the person feel like they are in the room with you. |
| The Quirks | Their weird habits. (e.g., “She put hot sauce on literally everything.”) | Paint a real picture, not just a polished one. |
| Character Traits | The big stuff: generosity, stubbornness, patience. | Reminds everyone of the values they stood for. |
Turn stories and quirks into a flowing speech with the Celebration Of Life Generator
Who is Listening?
Think about who is in the chairs. A small group of family means you can get really intimate with the stories. A huge crowd with work colleagues and distant friends might need stories that are a bit more universal. Match your energy to the setting.
Keep it Structured (and Brief)
Aim for about 3 to 7 minutes. Any longer and people start to drift. A good trick is the “Sandwich” method. It keeps you from rambling.
The Sandwich:
Top Bun: Start with a warm hello and say who you are in relation to the deceased.
The Meat: Tell two stories. Make one funny or lighthearted, and the other sentimental.
Bottom Bun: Wrap it up with a final farewell and a wish for peace.
Want help organizing your speech without rambling? Use the Celebration Of Life Generator for a clear structure.
When You’re Stuck
If the grief is making it hard to think, don’t be afraid to use tools. There are plenty of resources, like the Eulogy Generator, that can give you prompts to get the gears turning. Sometimes you just need a little push to organize the memories swirling around in your head.
Want help organizing your speech without rambling? Use the Celebration Of Life Generator for a clear structure.
25 Celebration of Life Speech Examples
Here are some examples broken down by who you might be writing for. Feel free to steal these ideas and tweak them to fit your person.
Family Tributes
1. For a Father
“Dad taught me that stubbornness is just a virtue called ‘determination.’ Whether he was fixing a leak he had no business fixing or chasing a career goal, he didn’t quit. I’ll miss his Sunday calls—he always started with ‘How’s your week, kiddo?’—but I’m going to carry his work ethic with me forever.”
If you’re struggling to write for your dad, checking out other eulogy examples for dad can help spark a memory you forgot you had.
2. For a Grandparent
“Grandma Rose was the glue of this family. You could smell her cookies from the driveway, and she had a ‘Bless your heart’ ready for any situation. She taught me to knit, and honestly, every time I pick up the needles now, I feel like she’s sitting right there with me.”
3. For a Child
“Even though Lily wasn’t with us long, she burned bright. She had this laugh that took over her whole body, and she danced like the world was her stage. She taught us to love the moment we are in right now. We’re broken without her, but so grateful we got to be her parents.”
There is nothing harder than writing a funeral speech for a child. Just focus on the light they brought; that’s all anyone can do.
4. For a Sibling
“My brother Mike could make a statue laugh. He had the worst dad jokes, but he was also the guy who showed up. No questions asked. If you were in trouble, Mike was there. That’s the kind of loyalty I’m going to miss the most.”
On Sibling Rivalry: “Sarah and I fought over everything—the front seat, the last slice of pizza, the remote. But looking back, I realize she was just toughening me up. She was my first rival, but she ended up being my best friend.”
5. Extended Family
“Aunt Clara was the family historian. She knew everyone’s birthday, everyone’s story, and she made every holiday feel like magic. She made you feel seen. That’s a rare gift, and we’re going to miss it.”
Friendship Tributes
6. The Childhood Friend
“I met Sarah in third grade. From day one, we were a package deal. She taught me what loyalty looks like. All those secrets, the treehouse meetings, the growing pains—she was there for all of it. A part of my history goes with her.”
7. The Adult Friend
“James and I bonded over how chaotic our lives were. Over the years, he became my anchor. He was the guy who knew exactly what to say when things fell apart, and he could turn a boring Tuesday night into a story we’d tell for years.”
| Friendship Type | Themes to Use | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Childhood | Innocence, “remember when,” growing up together. | Nostalgic and sweet. |
| College/Adult | Adventures, surviving life changes, reliability. | Energetic and grateful. |
| Best Friend | Inside jokes, “partners in crime,” unconditional love. | Raw and honest. |
Work and Community
8. The Colleague
“Carol was the heartbeat of our office. She was the one who remembered everyone’s birthday and somehow kept the team from killing each other during crunch time. She made the workplace human.”
9. The Volunteer/Leader
“Tom didn’t just live in this community; he served it. He truly believed that small acts of kindness mattered. We are going to see his legacy every time we walk through the park he helped build.”
Themes and Tones
10. The Funny Speech
“If you knew Rob, you knew a guy who could burn toast in a toaster oven. He loved terrible, cheesy jokes and never took the easy way out of anything. He was a mess sometimes, but he was our mess, and the world is going to be a lot more boring without him.”
Humor is a great release at a funeral, but it’s a balancing act. If you’re nervous, check out some funny eulogy templates to make sure the jokes land the right way.
You don’t have to do this alone—start with the Celebration Of Life Generator and write with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Writing this speech might be one of the hardest things you do, but it’s also a gift. It requires you to be vulnerable. Whether you make people laugh or cry (or both), just make sure it comes from love. Use these examples as a jumping-off point, but fill in the blanks with your own memories. Trust your voice.
The 2023-2024 NFL Season: A Fan’s Guide
Is it September yet? The 2023-2024 NFL season is right around the corner, and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for kickoff. September 7 is the date to circle. We’ve spent months speculating, drafting fantasy teams, and arguing over trades, but now it’s time to see who actually has what it takes to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
One of the best parts of a new season is the unknowns. Who is going to break out? Who is going to flop? There are always those rookies who come out of nowhere to wreck your fantasy league—in a good way.
Obviously, all eyes are on the Chiefs. They’ve got the ring, and they want to keep it. But the Eagles, Niners, and Bengals are all hungry. It’s not going to be a cakewalk for Kansas City.
Off the field, things are just as interesting. New coaches, massive trades—the drama never really stops in the NFL. It’s going to be a wild ride.
Dates You Need to Know
Get your calendar out. Here is when the magic happens:
- September 7, 2023: Opening night. Lions at Chiefs. Can Detroit spoil the party?
- October 1, 2023: Football for breakfast. The Falcons play the Jags in London.
| Date | The Matchup | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1 | Falcons vs. Jaguars | Wembley (London) |
| Oct 8 | Jaguars vs. Bills | Tottenham (London) |
| Oct 15 | Ravens vs. Titans | Tottenham (London) |
| Nov 5 | Dolphins vs. Chiefs | Frankfurt (Germany) |
| Nov 12 | Colts vs. Patriots | Frankfurt (Germany) |
- Thanksgiving (Nov 23): Turkey and football. Packers/Lions, Commanders/Cowboys, and 49ers/Seahawks.
- Christmas Day (Dec 25): The NBA usually owns Christmas, but the NFL is taking over with Raiders/Chiefs, Giants/Eagles, and Ravens/49ers.
- February 11, 2024: Super Bowl LVIII in Vegas.
Who’s Winning it All?
Everyone has a prediction, but here are the teams that actually look scary this year.
Kansas City Chiefs: As long as they have Patrick Mahomes, they are the team to beat. Their offense is ridiculous, and if the defense holds up, we’re looking at a dynasty.
Buffalo Bills: Allen and the Bills feel like they are right there. They’ve got the firepower, they just need to get over the hump in the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers: If Brock Purdy is the real deal, this team is terrifying. Their roster is stacked from top to bottom.
Don’t sleep on the Eagles or the Bengals, either. The window is open for a lot of teams right now.
Players We’re Watching
The QBs
- Patrick Mahomes: He makes the impossible look routine. Always a must-watch.
- Josh Allen: A human wrecking ball who can throw it 70 yards.
- Joe Burrow: Cool, calm, collected. He doesn’t panic.
The Backs & Receivers
- Christian McCaffrey: When he’s healthy, he’s basically a cheat code for the 49ers.
- Derrick Henry: Still the most intimidating guy to tackle in the league.
- Davante Adams & Cooper Kupp: The best route runners in the game. They just get open.
- Ja’Marr Chase: Explosive is an understatement.
New Rules (Pay Attention!)
The NFL tweaked the rulebook again. Here is what matters:
- The Fair Catch on Kickoffs: This is the big one. You can now fair catch a kickoff inside the 25, and the ball goes to the 25-yard line. It’s basically the college rule now.
Why it matters: If a kick lands at the 3-yard line, returners don’t have to risk getting crushed. They can just wave for a fair catch, and boom—first down at the 25. It’s safer, but it might make special teams a little less exciting.
- Tripping & Launching: Both are now personal fouls (15 yards). The league is trying to clean up the dangerous hits.
- Replay Changes: Coaches can now challenge failed pass interference calls. This should hopefully fix some of those blown calls we all scream at the TV about.
Fantasy Football Quick Tips
If you want to win your league (or at least not come in last), keep this in mind:
- Do the Homework: Don’t just draft names you recognize. Look at the depth charts.
- Know the Rules: Is it PPR? Standard? It changes who you should draft.
- Value over Hype: Don’t reach for a QB in round 1 if there’s a stud RB available.
- Stay Active: The waiver wire wins championships. Don’t draft a team and then ignore it for 17 weeks.
How to Watch
It’s getting complicated to find the games, right? Here is the breakdown:
- Cable: CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN are still the main players.
- Streaming: YouTube TV now has Sunday Ticket. That’s huge if you watch out-of-market games.
- Amazon: Thursday Night Football is exclusively on Prime Video.
- NFL+: Good for watching on your phone or tablet if you’re on the go.
Grab the snacks and find your spot on the couch. It’s football season.
