Eulogy Tribute For Best Friend: Tips And Examples
Have you lost your best friend and are looking for tips and ideas to help you prepare a touching eulogy for your dead friend?
Just stick with me and you will find the exact words and examples to help you write the best eulogy ever for your friend.
Let’s start by asking ourselves this question:
How Do You Start A Eulogy For Your Friend?
When your close friend dies suddenly and you are asked to say a few remarks at the funeral or memorial service, it can get very intimidating if you are not good with words or hate being in the public eye.
And you have every right to feel nervous because you are expected to honor the memory of your dear friend in a very special way that highlights the depths of your friendship.
I know how it feels to lose a very precious friend to death. About 5 years ago, I lost a close friend to cancer and had to write a tribute for her.
As a professional eulogy speech writer, I found myself in a very tight corner even though I had helped several people with their eulogies.
But, writing this one was a bit hard for me due to the intense emotions that came with it. I finally got through it and felt so much relieved that I had properly honored my deceased friends with the right words.
But, let’s face it. Not everyone has a flair for words. So, how do you go from blinking helplessly at your note pad to cramming it full with very fond memories about your friendship? That’s the focus of the next chapter.
Before we jump right in, let me take a moment to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I once read a quote that says that some friends come into your life for a reason, others for a season and some others for a lifetime.
I know without a doubt that your friend came into your life for all those reasons above and losing him or her to death really hurts. It hurts so badly. May the memories you made together bring you comfort and peace in this very sad and difficult time.
I found this poem for you. Just read it out loud over and over again and you will find strength to carry on.
Here it is:
Gone Too Soon: A Poem To An Extraordinary Person By Stephanie Solis
Today is the day you will be laid to rest,
But you know what they say,
God only takes the best.
Everything happens for a reason,
Even if we may not agree.
Just promise to look after us,
And if you can,
Save a spot up there for me.
The thought of never seeing you again brings tears to my eyes,
And even more so,
Because all of this was such a surprise.
But we should never question what God has planned.
Sometimes it's not meant for us to understand.
So as we sit here and mourn the loss of a beloved friend,
We have to keep telling ourselves that we will meet again.
At this point, let’s look at how you can easily and quickly put your friend’s tribute together.
How To Write A Eulogy For Your Friend By Following These Simple Steps
When you are looking for tips and ideas to write an amazing eulogy, it can be very tempting to scan through a few examples and make slight changes to them and call it done. Unfortunately, that is not how it works.
But, like everything worthwhile in life, pouring your whole heart, mind, and soul onto that sheet of paper is a step by step process.
Now, let’s look at the easy-to-follow steps that can help you craft a very memorable eulogy for your dead male or female friend.
Here are the steps:
- Choose a style/tone for your eulogy speech
- What should be the length of your eulogy tribute?
- How to get ideas and stories for your tribute
- How to make the most of eulogy for friend speech examples
- How to prepare your eulogy for friend using those examples
Now, let us get into each of the points in details. First, on the list is:
Choose A Style/Tone For Your Eulogy
The overall impact of your message depends on the style you choose for your friend’s tribute. Your choice of words depends on your personality, your friend’s personality, and what you would like to say about your late friend.
For example, if your friend was a funny or cheerful person, then your tribute might have some lighthearted stories.
If your close pal was a thoughtful person, you may share how his thoughts and guidance helped make you a better person.
The following questions can help you pick a tone for your friend’s eulogy.
- Do you want to write a touching or heartfelt tribute for your close friend?
- What was your late friend’s character disposition? Was he serious, cheerful, and fun to be around?
- Is there a particular aspect of your friend’s character trait you would like to speak about or you just want to tell stories about your friendship?
Now, what aspect of your friend’s personality do you wish to highlight?
Let’s look at the next thing:
Should This Be The Length Of Your Tribute For Your Friend?
As a professional eulogy speech writer, I can tell you from experience that the length of your speech doesn’t really matter. What matters most is what you say about your friend at his funeral service or celebration of life.
However, a few factors may influence how long it lasts. For example, the deceased’s family may ask you to speak for a certain amount of time.
What’s more, if so many people are going to speak at the funeral service, it’s best to stick to the allotted time.
If none of those limitations exist, speak from your heart without focusing too much on the agreed time. Just make sure it’s not as long as a mile.
This comes next:
How To Get Content Ideas And Stories For Your Friend’s Tribute
Stories are the lifeblood of every eulogy. But, as we grow, our memories become like a sieve because we tend to forget things easily.
Whether you have a razor-sharp memory or not, the following ideas can help you think of all those fond memories so you can put together a heartfelt and inspiring eulogy for your friend.
Here they are:
- Have you prepared a memorial tribute slideshow about the deceased? You can watch it and see if you can find great pictures that will spark your memory. Here’s an example to help you remember the finer details of your friendship:
- Go find your friend’s social media profiles and look for your photos and write down what they remind you about.
- Look through your photo archives or album and find your photos. As you do that, ask yourself what each photo represents?
- Why not speak to your friends if you don’t have photos of the deceased? They can bring back stories that might have slipped through the cracks. You may ask questions like:
- Can you share a memory or two about your friend with Mark (replace with name of your friend)?
- Do you remember when we went on the African safari (substitute it by asking about a memorable vacation getaway or any event)?
Let’s move on to this:
Eulogy For Friend Examples And How To Make The Most Of Them
Regardless of what your writing skills are, eulogy for friend samples can help you put together your scattered thoughts and ideas into a very moving tribute.
For example, if your friend was killed by cancer, finding a eulogy example about that disease will make the writing a breeze because you can model your eulogy after that template.
In the next chapter, I am going to share with you a eulogy for friend example I wrote a while back.
After we have reviewed it, we will analyze it with the right examples so you can figure out how to use our findings to write a touching eulogy for your friend.
Before we do that, let’s look at this example.
Short Eulogy For Friend Example
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Jose Cardona. Roland was a really good friend.
When a close friend or a loved one we adore with our whole hearts unexpectedly leaves us, a
piece of our heart is forever broken and we often find ourselves wondering what really went wrong.
However, this is a profound question no mortal alive can answer.
As sad and tragic Ronald’s passing is, let’s use this very sad moment to honor the life of Roland or Roli as most of us knew him.
Though we worked together for 20 years, I never got to know his family. But I feel much honored that they asked me to pay tribute to a very special friend who was one of the greatest gifts in my life.
I’m standing here today to let each of you know that I grieve with you, I’m praying for you, and I will be here if you need anything.
I hope and pray that these few words bring you some peace and comfort in this sad moment.
Roli was a great guy. He was a quiet person who stayed out of the spotlight. But was a hard worker and would do anything for a friend.
From the time we met at Price Waterhouse, our careers followed one another and we became more than co-workers.
We became friends. Every morning he would make sure to come say Good Morning and ask about how I was doing.
Every evening he would approach to say goodnight. Even if we had disagreed on something work-related earlier, he would never leave angry.
He was a bit of a gear head, as am I. So we went to auto shows together and spent hours discussing the latest car models.
He was very smart about stocks and he was a day trader. I would always go to him for advice.
Roli had his issues, and ultimately it was those issues that overcame him and end his life. But I don’t want to remember him for his weaknesses, because he had so many strengths.
He was motivated, and intelligent, and an incredibly good person. I remember once mentioning in a conversation that my parents needed a new air conditioner and he immediately said “I have an extra one.”
He was thoughtful and dedicated and generous. He was proud of his service to his country as an Army Veteran, and he loved what he did for a living.
These past few months have been difficult for everyone. The lockdowns and the layoffs have been hard on all of us. I think it was especially hard for Roli.
One thing that I have learned from this experience is that I can never take anyone for granted in my life, because they can be gone so very quickly, and tragically.
Roli, I hope you that you are at peace, and that you are surrounded by loving friends and family who have gone ahead of us.
I miss you more than words can say. You will always hold a special place in my heart, and my love for you will never, ever part. I look forward to the time I will get to see you again. Thank you, brother for everything.
Did you learn a thing or two from reading that template? I hope so.
I promised to show you how to write something like that, if not better. So, let’s get into the details.
If you want the writing process to be really easy, you have to grab a sheet of paper and split up the speech into three parts and label it like this: introduction, body, and conclusion.
Let’s look at this first: the introduction
How To Write The Introduction For Your Eulogy
It comprises of these elements:
- Greetings: Here’s an example:
Wow… I never thought I would see so many of you here this blistery afternoon as we mourn the passing of my beloved friend, Mark. Thank you so much for coming for coming from far and near. None of us really want to be here. But you came because you know the deep love I had for a friend whom many said was my older brother.
- A Short-Self Introduction
Most folks in the audience might probably not know who you are. Here’s an example: For those of you who might not know me, I am Dan, Mark’s best friend of the last 30 years.
- Expression of gratitude
You have to thank a few people when you are asked to deliver a few remarks about your best friend.
First and foremost, thank the family of the deceased for asking you or allowing to say something about your best friend.
Here’s an example culled from the above example:
I feel much honored that they asked me to pay tribute to a very special friend who was one of the greatest gifts in my life. I’m standing here today to let each of you know that I grieve with you, I’m praying for you, and I will be here if you need anything.
Here are some other personalities you can express gratitude to:
- The friends of your friend for their support and encouragement
- Your friends’ spouse and children for standing by your friend
- His family for help and support
- The doctors and nurses for their medical help
Here’s a little homework assignment to help you write your thank you notes:
Can you write a short note thanking your friend’s family for allowing you to speak at the memorial service? Ok, I am so happy you can do that.
Next, do a little brainstorming and write down names of people you would like to express gratitude to.
Below is a funny eulogy for friend example:
My friend won’t have lived this long if it were not for the tireless sacrifices of the medical staff- doctors and nurses. I used to visit him when he was on hospice and I was overwhelmed by the amount of love and support they showed him.
Sandra’s went above and beyond to ensure he was well-cared for that at some point a patient jokingly said he was her side sick. Sandra was unbelievably kind and I am so grateful that she travelled from the East Coast to be with us this morning. Sandra, thank you so much for your generous love and support for my wonderful friend.
Do you see how humorous the last line is? If there’s an element of humor to your friendship, please bring it on and the family will appreciate that you made me smile through the tears.
There is, of course, another portion of the introduction called the hook or what is known as starting on a strong note. After you have incorporated the above elements into your script, you then start to write the hook which is that part of your speech that depicts how and where you met your friend as well as how your friendship took off.
Here are few ways of starting on a strong note.
First, you can begin by sharing how you met your friend. Here’s another example:
I first met Cassandra in a place that tends to stoke one’s passions for social and economic justice — the financial aid line at law school. (Laughter.) We were just entering Harvard Law. We happened to be next to each other in line, I think it was in Pound Hall, and we were furiously filling out our financial aid forms. I have no doubt I was doing something wrong.
She may have looked over my shoulder and said, “I think that’s wrong.” (Laughter.) And we were inching forward each time the registrar shouted, “Next!” We introduced ourselves to each other, and we bonded over the fact that we were signing our lives away to Harvard, fully aware of how long it would take us to pay off that debt that we were about to accrue.
Second, you may write down how you felt when you heard the news of the passing of your dear friend. Again, this is an example to buttress this point.
‘’ Ever since I heard the news on Saturday morning, I find that several times during the day, I stop and shake my head in disbelief. How could it be that Donna — this vibrant, radiant light — is gone? Somehow the shock of it all has inured us from the deep grief and heartache that we know will only intensify in the days, weeks, months, even years to come. ‘’
Third, you can start with any of these quotes to make your eulogy very thoughtful and emotional:
Quotes For Eulogy For Your Friend
The comfort of having a friend may be taken away, but not that of having had one” ~ Seneca
"You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can't forget. Those are your friends." ~ Mark Twain
"He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
“Even the best of friends cannot attend each other’s funeral” ~ Kehlog Albran
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” ~ Flavia Weedn
How do you use quotes to write a killer hook? I am going to use Mark Twains’ words.
I once read a quote by Mark Twain that says You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those you can’t forget. Those are your friends.
Donna was my most loyal friend I can’t ever forget. She was the very essence of love, life, and inspiration. She was unbelievably special to me in every way. When I fell off the stairs last year, she was there. When my husband died a few years back, she was there to comfort and console and lend a helping hand.
The body comes after the introduction. So, let’s look at it.
How To Write The Body or Outline Of Your Friend’s Eulogy
Let’s now write down simple answers to the questions below:
- What were your shared interests or passions?
- What was your friend’s influence on your life?
- What were your most memorable moments?
- What were your friend’s admirable qualities?
- What made your friend a very exceptional person?
This is what I want you to do right now if you have written answers to the above questions. Just write down a rough first draft. Never mind how it looks like on paper because you can always go back to it and get rid of the excesses till it looks great.
The conclusion comes last.
Now,…let’s look at
How To Write The Ending Of Your Eulogy For Your Friend
Here are ways of ending on a memorable note.
First, if you have nothing to say, just end by sobbing into a tissue This, will at least give some closure to your friendship.
Second, you can share why and how you will miss your dead friend.
Third, you can end with your personal wish or prayer for the departed soul and family.
‘’We pray that the Lord grants our sister, Cassandra, eternal peace. May He bless her memory. May he bless her family, and the lives of everyone that she touched.’’
Fourth, end with the legacy your friend left behind.
‘’ I guess in a way, Donna left us a blueprint for a life well lived. To always make time. To remember what’s important. To be present. To cherish the ones we love. God, we will miss you. Thank you, Donna. How incredibly lucky we were. ‘’