Eulogy template

If you ever [a moment or place everyone connects with the person], you know [what it says about them].

My name is [name], and I am [relationship]. [If you speak for the family: "On behalf of ..., thank you for being here."]

[Name] was born in [place] and [one or two landmarks: work, marriage, a move, service]. But what I want to tell you about is [the quality or theme of your stories].

I remember [first story: when, where, what happened, what they said or did].

[Optional second story, from another part of their life.]

That was [name]. [One sentence that says what the stories show.]

[Name] leaves [the people they loved] and [what continues in us: a habit, a lesson, a recipe, a way of treating people].

[Speaking to them:] [Name], [thank you / goodbye / a promise]. [A last line that echoes your opening.]

If you ever had a flat tire within ten miles of my father's house, you know he showed up with a jack before you finished the phone call.

My name is Karen, and I am Joe's daughter. On behalf of my mother and my brothers, thank you for being here.

Dad was born in Toledo and worked thirty years as a school custodian. But what I want to tell you about is how he showed up.

I remember the night my car broke down in the snow on my way home from college. I called at eleven. He was there by eleven thirty, in his pajamas under his coat, with a thermos of coffee. He said, "You didn't think I'd let you sit here, did you?"

That was Joe. He never asked if you needed help. He came.

Dad leaves my mother, three children, six grandchildren and a garage full of tools we will never learn to use. He leaves us the habit of showing up.

Dad, thank you for every night you came. We'll keep the jack in the trunk.