The Tribute Journal
Celebration of Life Speech: 6 Examples to Copy
A celebration of life speech is a short, warm talk, usually two to five minutes, that focuses on the joy of the person's life rather than the grief of their death. It is often less formal than a funeral eulogy and can include more humor and more of the guests. Below are six complete speeches to copy: a welcome, a closing toast, and tributes for a mom, a dad, a friend and a grandparent.
How it differs from a eulogy
Wikipedia puts it simply: "Unlike funerals, the focus of the ceremony is on the life that was lived." Writing for AARP, Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute explains that "Funerals tend to be more somber and ritualized," while a celebration of life "may include sharing stories and memories, a buffet or potluck, and even dancing, singing, jokes and laughter."
- Tone: lighter, warmer and usually funnier than a eulogy, though it can still end on something tender.
- Speakers: often several, including friends, coworkers and grandchildren, and sometimes an open mic.
- Setting: a home, park, beach, club or restaurant, not necessarily a church or funeral home.
- Length: two to four minutes each when several people speak. The Emily Post Institute advises that "The more eulogies to be delivered, the shorter yours should be."
1. A welcome speech from the host
Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for being here. I'm Rachel, Jim's daughter.
Dad made us promise there would be no sad funeral. His exact words were, "Throw a party, play my music, and don't let anybody leave hungry." So that is what we are doing.
In a few minutes, some of the people who loved him most will share a story or two. Then we will watch a short video of his life, and after that the food is ready and the bar is open. Dad would want us to eat, drink, laugh, and tell the stories he can't tell anymore.
There are cards on every table. If you have a memory of Dad, please write it down and leave it in the basket by the door. We are going to read every one.
Thank you for coming to celebrate him. Let's begin.
2. For a mom
Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle, Barbara's daughter.
If you knew my mom, you know she would have loved this: everyone together, good food, music she could dance to. She never met a party she didn't want to host, and she never let anyone leave her house empty-handed.
Mom collected people. The mail carrier, the girl at the bank, the neighbor's cousin who was in town for a week: if you met her once, you were on her Christmas card list for life. Look around this room. Most of you are here because Barbara decided you were family.
So here is what I would ask of you today. Tell a story about her. Laugh as loud as she did. And before you go, take a plate home. She'd insist.
3. For a dad
Good afternoon. I'm Ben, Tom's son.
Dad spent most of his weekends at this lake, so it seemed like the right place to remember him. He taught all of us to fish off that dock, to bait our own hooks, and to sit still long enough to catch something, which for me took about fifteen years.
He was a man of very few words and a lot of dad jokes. He told the same five jokes for forty years, and he laughed at every one of them like it was the first time.
What I remember most is how he listened. You could tell Dad anything, and he would think about it for a long time and then say exactly the right thing in about six words.
So, in Dad's honor, six words: Thank you. We love you. Gone fishing.
4. For a friend
Hi, everybody. I'm Carla, and Gina and I were friends for twenty-eight years, which she would want me to point out is longer than either of her marriages.
Gina was the friend who showed up. Moves, breakups, hospital waiting rooms, karaoke nights she did not want to go to: she was there, usually with snacks and always with an opinion.
She also made every ordinary day feel like an occasion. A Tuesday lunch with Gina could turn into a road trip. A trip to the hardware store could end with new friends and a story you'd still be telling years later.
She asked for color today, not black, and look at all of you. She would love this.
Gina, thank you for every ordinary day you made extraordinary.
5. For a grandparent
Hi. I'm Sophie, and Grandpa Joe was my favorite person in the whole world.
Grandpa taught me to ride a bike, play poker and whistle with two fingers, all before I was ten. He let me win at cards until I was twelve, and then he never let me win again, because he said I was ready.
He was eighty-nine, and he still drove to the diner every morning to drink coffee with his friends and argue about baseball. Some of them are here today. Thank you for keeping him company all those years.
Grandpa, I'm going to keep whistling. Loudly. In public. Just like you taught me.
6. A closing toast
Before we go back to the food and the music, I'd like to ask everyone to raise a glass.
To Linda: the loudest laugh, the biggest heart, and the worst sense of direction of anyone we've ever known. Thank you for every dinner, every phone call, every road trip that took twice as long as it should have.
We are not here because we lost her. We are here because we had her.
To Linda.
Tips for writing yours
- Open with who you are and how you knew them. Celebrations often bring together people from very different parts of a life.
- Choose stories that make people smile. Lightness is welcome, but keep it kind. Emily Post's advice for any eulogy is to "handle any humor with care for how it may be received by all."
- Invite the room in. A memory card basket, an open mic, or a request to share a story afterward keeps the celebration going.
- End with a toast or one direct line. "To Linda" is often the most memorable thing said all day.
Many celebrations include a slideshow. Wikipedia notes that families "may present a slideshow (both photos and video clips) with fond memories of their loved ones as part of the ceremony." Our guide to the memorial slideshow shows how to build one, and our celebration of life ideas cover the rest of the day.
Common questions
What do you say at a celebration of life?
Say who you are and how you knew the person, share one or two stories that show who they were, thank the guests for coming, and close with a toast or a short line to the person. Keep the tone warm and personal.
How long should a celebration of life speech be?
Two to four minutes is typical when several people speak. A host's welcome can be a minute or two, and a closing toast even shorter.
What is the difference between a eulogy and a celebration of life speech?
A eulogy is usually given at a funeral and can be more formal and mournful. A celebration of life speech focuses on the joy of the person's life, is often lighter and funnier, and may be one of several informal tributes.
How do you start a celebration of life speech?
Thank everyone for coming, say who you are and how you knew the person, and share something that sets the tone, such as a favorite saying or what they would have thought of the gathering.
Can you include jokes in a celebration of life speech?
Yes. Humor is common and usually welcome, as long as it is kind and suits the whole audience, including children and older relatives.
Who speaks at a celebration of life?
Usually a family member hosts and welcomes guests, then close family and friends speak. Many celebrations also open the floor so anyone can share a memory.
