How To Start a Eulogy: 15 Heartfelt Examples - Trustworthy: The Family Operating System® (2024)

Writing a eulogy can be a daunting experience, especially as you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. Many people find starting the eulogy is the hardest part of writing it because you want to create something meaningful but also correct.

To help you write the perfect beginning to a eulogy, we put together some tips on where to start, plus a list of 15 heartfelt examples.

Key Takeaways

• A good way to start a eulogy is with a simple introduction of yourself and to thank the audience for coming to the service.

• You can add certain things to your eulogy, like quotes, poems, and fond memories.

• Avoid talking about yourself for too long in the eulogy, talking too fast, or using super long quotes in your eulogy.

How to Start a Eulogy

Being chosen to write a eulogy for a loved one is a great honor, which means you want to write it in the best way to pay tribute to the deceased. Here are some tips on how to begin.

Introduce Yourself

At the start of a eulogy, one of the first things you should include is who you are. Introduce yourself to the listeners, and explain how you know or are related to the deceased. This helps them feel more connected to you.

If you aren’t a family member, you can also offer your condolences to the deceased’s loved ones.

Thank People for Coming

Thank the audience for coming out to the funeral, memorial, or whatever type of service you are having. This makes them feel appreciated and starts the service off the right way.

If there are any people who brought food, were part of the planning, or deserve a special mention, you can thank them as well.

Talk About Your Relationship with the Deceased

After introducing yourself, you can lead into talking about the relationship you had with the deceased. Mention things they taught you, something special you will always remember them for, or the effect they had on your life.

Share a Quote or Poem

Some people like to start the eulogy with a nice quote or poem they feel is appropriate for the service. It sets the tone for the rest of the speech.

If your loved one had a special saying that people associated with them, it’s appropriate to use it at the start of the eulogy.

Share a Fond Memory

There is no right or wrong way to start a eulogy, and you can always share a fond memory of the deceased.

Sharing memories can evoke feelings of nostalgia and positivity toward the person who passed. Remember, the eulogy is a celebration, a tribute to the deceased.

Professional Eulogy Writer, Darcey Peterson, advises:

“For a simple example, ‘Aunt Jane was kind and she loved animals.’ Consider instead a memory like, ‘I still remember summer vacations and overnights with Aunt Jane. I always loved helping her with her evening ritual of feeding the dogs and the birds and even the stray neighborhood cats; all before we even sat down for our own dinner!’”

Tell a Story

You can begin the eulogy by sharing a short story after your opening lines. This is a great way to engage the audience and build a connection with them.

TedX speaker and teacher at the Swiss International School, Brett Simner, advises:

“Tell stories, great stories, the ones that some will know, but not everybody. They can, of course, include professional accomplishments, but they can also be funny or quirky.”

15 Heartfelt Examples of a Eulogy Introduction

Finding heartfelt words to begin the eulogy with can be difficult. Here are some examples to use as inspiration.

Starting a Eulogy for a Parent

Example 1:

Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. Before I begin, I wanted to read a meaningful poem that reminded me of my mother, [deceased’s name]. [Poem.]

Example 2:

Dear friends, family and colleagues of [deceased’s name], I am [your name], and it is my greatest honor to reflect on the life of my father, [deceased’s name], today. I’d like to take a moment to share my fondest memory of him. [Share fond memories.]

Example 3:

For those of you who don’t know me, I am [deceased’s name’s] daughter.

My mother always used to say [insert funny saying], and if she were here with us today, I have no doubt she would think so, too.

Starting a Eulogy for a Partner

Example 4:

[Partner’s name] was my prince charming and the man that I loved from the moment I saw him. I remember that day so clearly [insert memory of how you met the deceased.] [Partner’s name] always wore a smile, and if you were having a bad day, he would always try to cheer you up.

Example 5:

[Partner’s name] once said, [add saying], and I feel like she was speaking about us as a couple. [Partner’s name] was someone I knew I would spend the rest of my life with. [Share memories.]

Example 6:

Every love story is beautiful, but ours was my favorite. As [deceased's name’s] partner in life and adventures, I am deeply honored to stand here before you today, not to mourn his passing, but to celebrate the vibrant and inspiring life he led.

Starting a Eulogy for a Friend

Example 7:

[Deceased’s name] was my best friend on and off the basketball court, and I’ll miss all the afternoons we spent playing together. [Share memories.]

Example 8:

Good afternoon, my name is [your name], and [deceased’s name] was my friend. I have known [deceased’s name] since we were young children, and I will always remember the time that we [share memory of the deceased].

Example 9:

Good day, friends and family. I just want to start by thanking you all for coming out this afternoon to celebrate the man we all loved, [deceased’s name], and his family. I know many of you traveled from far to be here with us, and I’m very grateful for that.

Starting a Eulogy for a Child

Example 10:

Good day. Thank you all for coming. I know that [child’s name] would be so touched to see you all here honoring her life. [Child’s name] always loved it when the family got together, especially at Christmas. [Share memory.]

Example 11:

Dear friends and family. I wanted to start with a quote I know [child’s name] would like by Thomas Jefferson: [quote]. [Child’s name] always enjoyed learning about history, and we often visited the local museum. [Share memory.]

Example 12:

While the passing of [child’s name] is tragic, I know that he would have wanted us to take this moment to celebrate their life and hold our loved ones near. My name is [your name], and [child’s name] was someone who was always cheerful even when things were bad.

Starting a Eulogy for a Sibling

Example 13:

Hi everyone, most of you know me, and to those that don’t, [sibling’s name] was my sister. Growing up with a sister older than you can be tough, [share a funny story], but it also meant that I always had a friend who was there for me.

Example 14:

[John 14:27] My sister [sibling’s name] always loved that Bible verse and would often read it to me during times when I was nervous about something. [Sibling’s name] and I were always close. We would often [share a memory].

Example 15:

Dear friends and family, thank you all for being here. [Sibling’s name] was my younger brother and best friend. If [sibling’s name] were here today, I know he would have said, [insert deceased’s favorite saying].

Mistakes to Avoid in the Introduction of Your Eulogy

A eulogy doesn’t have to be perfect, and there are no rules on what to include. It’s all personal. However, there are some mistakes that you should avoid making in the introduction.

Speaking Too Fast

Speaking in front of a bunch of people can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re talking about something so personal and emotional. However, you should avoid speaking too fast, as some people may struggle to understand you, and the eulogy will feel rushed.

Using Long Quotations or Religious Passages

Beginning the eulogy with a long quotation or religious passage can make it feel impersonal. Long passages can cause the audience to become distracted or lose interest, as they cannot relate to you and the eulogy.

Giving Too Much Detail About the Death

Avoid oversharing too many personal details about the deceased’s passing, their life and their family. This may cause feelings of embarrassment, especially if the death was a controversial one, like an overdose of drugs. If you’re unsure whether to include something, ask your friends and family first.

Making Unnecessary Jokes

It’s okay to keep things upbeat and lighthearted when starting your eulogy. You can even make a joke or two. However, you should avoid unnecessary humor that can come across as offensive and tasteless.

Telling Embarrassing Stories About the Deceased

You are welcome to share any fond or (appropriate) funny memories you have of the deceased, but this doesn’t mean you should share embarrassing stories. This can come across as disrespectful and hurt the family’s feelings.

Bringing Up Grudges

When writing the introduction of the eulogy, you should not bring up any grudges you have between the deceased and their family. Not only is this disrespectful toward the person who passed, but it’s also hurtful to the family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a good opening line for a eulogy?

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is [insert name], and [deceased’s name] was my father/mother/sibling/etc.

How long should a eulogy last?

Generally, you should keep your eulogy between three to seven minutes. Every eulogy is unique, though, so it might be shorter or longer. There is no exactly right answer.

What makes a powerful eulogy?

Make your eulogy powerful by sharing your favorite memories about the deceased and telling stories the audience can relate to.