Help writing a eulogy for someone you loved
Writing a eulogy while grieving is hard, and the funeral is often only days away. Share a few facts and memories, even in messy notes or a voice message. Your todo.is agent gently shapes them into a eulogy of about 5 minutes that honors the person's life, with a printed copy in large type.
The prompt
- Please help me write a eulogy for my [RELATIONSHIP], [NAME], who passed away at [AGE]. Key facts about their life: [LIFE FACTS]. Memories and stories I want to share: [MEMORIES]. Words that describe them: [QUALITIES]. The service is [TYPE OF SERVICE], and I'd like the tone to be [TONE]. Keep it about [MINUTES] minutes when read slowly. Structure it as: a short opening, who they were, two or three stories, what they taught us, and a gentle goodbye. Use plain words that are easy to say through tears. Send me a Word file, and a PDF in 16-point font with wide line spacing that I can read from at the podium.
What to change
- [RELATIONSHIP]: e.g. "father", "grandmother", "best friend" or "colleague".
- [NAME]: Their name as people knew them, e.g. "Robert, Bob to everyone".
- [AGE]: e.g. "81".
- [LIFE FACTS]: Rough notes: where they grew up, work, family, passions, e.g. "grew up on a farm in Ohio, mail carrier for 34 years, married to Ann for 55 years, 3 kids, 6 grandkids".
- [MEMORIES]: Two or three moments, in any form. You can also attach a voice note or other family members' notes.
- [QUALITIES]: e.g. "patient, stubborn, generous, terrible jokes".
- [TYPE OF SERVICE]: e.g. "a church funeral", "a celebration of life at home" or "a graveside service".
- [TONE]: e.g. "warm with gentle humor", "respectful and quiet" or "celebratory".
- [MINUTES]: 3 to 7 is typical, e.g. "5".
Example result
- Eulogy for Robert "Bob" Miller (about 5 minutes)
- Thank you all for being here. I'm Karen, Bob's daughter. Looking around this room, I see neighbours, old coworkers, church friends and a lot of grandchildren. Dad would be quietly pleased, and he'd want to know who brought the pie.
- Who he was
- Dad grew up on a farm outside Dayton, the third of five kids. He learned early that you get up when the work needs doing, and he never stopped. For 34 years, he was a mail carrier. He knew every dog on his route by name, and most of them liked him better than their owners.
- He married my mom, Ann, when he was 23. They were married for 55 years. He still held her hand in the grocery store.
- The stories
- When I was nine, I broke my arm falling off the garage roof, which I was absolutely not allowed to be on. Dad drove me to the hospital, told me it was going to be fine, and then told me the worst joke I have ever heard. I laughed so hard I forgot to cry. That was his gift. He made hard moments lighter.
- He was also stubborn. He fixed everything himself, including things that were not broken. Our kitchen tap has been "improved" at least eleven times.
- And he was generous in quiet ways. After he died, we learned he had been mowing a widowed neighbour's lawn every Saturday for twelve years. He never mentioned it once.
- What he taught us
- Dad taught us to show up. To keep our word. To be kind without needing credit. And to always have a bad joke ready, because someone nearby might need it.
- Goodbye
- Dad, thank you for every early morning, every fixed tap and every terrible joke. We will look after Mom. We will keep showing up. We love you, and we will miss you every day.
- Notes for reading
- • If you need to stop, pause and take a breath. Everyone understands
- • Give a printed copy to a family member who can step in if needed
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the brackets with whatever you have. Short notes are enough.
- Paste it into todo.is, or send it to your agent on WhatsApp. Attach family members' notes or a voice message if that is easier than typing.
- Your agent sends a draft eulogy as a Word file and a large-print PDF for the podium.
- Read it once, then ask for changes like "add a line about his garden" or "make it 3 minutes".
Tips for a better result
- You don't need the whole life story. Two or three true moments say more than a list of dates.
- Gentle humor is welcome at most services. A smile shared in grief is a comfort.
- Ask other family members for one memory each, and attach them. The eulogy will feel like it comes from everyone.
- Print it in large type and number the pages. Tears and nerves make small text hard to read.
- Check with the officiant how long you have and whether others are also speaking, so stories don't repeat.
eulogy: FAQ
- How long should a eulogy be? Most eulogies are 3 to 7 minutes, roughly 400 to 900 words. Ask the officiant or funeral director how much time is planned.
- What do you say in a eulogy? Say who the person was, share a few stories that show their character, mention the people they loved and what they taught you, and end with a goodbye or thank you.
- What if I can't get through it? That is okay. Pause and breathe, or ask someone to stand beside you. Give a printed copy to a friend who can finish reading if needed.
- Is it okay to use AI to write a eulogy? Yes, as a helper. The memories and feelings are yours, and the agent only helps arrange them. Read the draft and change anything that doesn't sound like you.
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