I’ve been asked to write the tribute after a death a few times. If you’re in the same position you might have said yes without really thinking about what it means.
Well it can mean three different things, which is a little confusing. The funeral home might want a paragraph for the online memorial page. The family want something for the back of the printed program. And a few months later, on what would have been the deceaseds birthday, the family sometime put a small In Memoriam notice in the local paper and somebody has to write that too. All of which could fall under writing a tribute.
None of those are speeches to be read out. They are the words people would hold in their hands at the service, scroll past on their phones and cut out of the newspaper to keep in a drawer. That’s a slightly different kind of writing and you might be struggling to find many good examples of it at.
So that’s what this post is for. Below you’ll find 30 memorial tribute examples written for the places tributes end up: service programs, online memorial pages, newspaper notices, social media, memory books and workplace newsletters. Every one has blanks for you to fill in and should be changed until it sounds like you.
What Is a Memorial Tribute?
A memorial tribute is a short piece of writing that honors someone who has died. It usually tells people a little about who that person was, what they loved and what they meant to the people left behind.
The word gets used pretty loosely so it helps to know how a tribute works next to the other things you might be asked to write:
- An obituary is mostly facts. Dates, family members, service times and where to send donations. If that’s what you need our obituary templates will help.
- A eulogy is a speech, usually the main one at the funeral, and it often covers a whole life. Our eulogy examples are the place to start for that.
- A memorial speech is anything else said out loud at a memorial service, like a welcome or a friend’s few words. There are 21 of those in our memorial speech examples.
- A tribute message is usually just a line or two, the kind of thing you’d write in a card or under a photo. You’ll find lots in our tribute messages for the dead.
A memorial tribute is sort of somewhere in the middle. It’s longer and more personal than a quick message but it’s written to be read, not performed. It’s more like a paragraph that answers “who was this person?” for anyone who looks at the program or goes to the memorial page.
How Long Should a Memorial Tribute Be?
It depends on where it’s going. This is a rough guide based on what I’ve seen work:
- Memorial service program: 100 to 250 words. You’ve usually got half a page at most and it needs to sit next to the order of service.
- Online memorial or funeral home tribute wall: 50 to 200 words. People are reading on their phones so shorter paragraphs help.
- Newspaper In Memoriam notice: 30 to 100 words. Most papers charge by the line or by the word so these tend to be short and carefully chosen. Check the price before you write.
- Social media post: anywhere from a single sentence to a few short paragraphs.
- Memory book or slideshow: 25 to 75 words per page or slide.
- Workplace or organization newsletter: 150 to 300 words.
If you aren’t sure write a longer version first and then cut it down. It’s much easier to make a tribute shorter than it is to stretch one out.
What to Include in a Memorial Tribute
You don’t need to fit in everything. Better tributes pick one or two things and do them well. But if you’re not sure these are good places to start:
- Who they were to you. “My grandmother” or “our office manager for 22 years” gives the reader somewhere to stand.
- One specific detail. The song they always hummed, the way they signed every birthday card, the garage full of half-finished projects. Details are what make a tribute feel like a real person.
- What they cared about. Their people, their work, their garden, their dog, their terrible jokes.
- How they made others feel. This is usually the part people remember.
- A closing line. A goodbye, a thank you or a few words straight to them.
What you can usually leave out: the cause of death (unless the family wants it shared), long lists of achievements and anything you’d feel uncomfortable with the family reading. When in doubt run it past someone close to them before it’s printed or posted.
Memorial Tribute Examples for a Service Program
The program (some people call it the order of service) is often the only thing people take home from a memorial. A lot of families keep them for years.
So the tribute here tends to be a little more polished than anything you’d post online. Although it still shouldn’t read like a job application.
1. A General Tribute for Anyone
[Name] lived [his/her/their] life with [quality, such as “open arms” or “quiet determination”]. [He/She/They] loved [two or three things they loved], and nothing made [him/her/them] happier than [a specific thing, such as “a full table on a Sunday afternoon”].
Those of us lucky enough to know [him/her/them] will remember [his/her/their] [laugh/kindness/stubbornness/advice] and the way [he/she/they] made every person feel like they mattered. [Name] leaves behind a family who adored [him/her/them] and a lifetime of stories we’ll keep telling.
We miss you already, [Name]. Thank you for everything.
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2. A Program Tribute for a Mother
Mom was the first person up and the last one to bed for as long as any of us can remember. She packed lunches, drove carpools, sat through every recital and never once let us leave the house without a coat.
She was also so much more than our mom. She was a [job or role] for [number] years, a fiercely loyal friend and the best [cook/gardener/storyteller] on [street or town]. She had a laugh you could hear from the other end of the grocery store.
Everything good in us we learned from her. We love you, Mom, and we’ll spend the rest of our lives trying to make you proud.
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If you want something a little longer for your mom our guide on how to write a tribute for a mother goes through it step by step.
3. A Program Tribute for a Father
Dad could fix almost anything with a roll of duct tape and an hour of muttering. He taught us how to change a tire, how to cast a line and how to shake someone’s hand like you mean it.
He worked hard his whole life, first at [job] and later at [job], and he never complained about any of it. What he cared about most was simple: his family, his [hobby, such as “fishing boat”] and a good cup of coffee in the morning.
He wasn’t a man of big speeches. He showed his love by showing up, every time, for every one of us. Rest easy, Dad. We’ve got it from here.
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4. A Program Tribute for a Grandparent
To her grandchildren she was Nana, and to Nana there was no such thing as too many cookies before dinner.
[Name] was born in [place] in [year] and spent [number] years married to the love of her life, [spouse’s name]. Together they raised [number] children and welcomed [number] grandchildren, every one of whom was convinced they were her favorite.
She taught us card games, let us stay up late and kept every drawing we ever gave her. Her house was the place we all ran to. It still feels like it should be there waiting for us.
We love you, Nana. Save us a seat at the card table.
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5. A Program Tribute for a Husband or Wife
For [number] years, [Name] was my partner in absolutely everything. We built a home, raised a family and drove each other a little crazy in the very best way.
[He/She/They] was the calm one when I panicked, the funny one when things got too serious and the first person I wanted to tell about every single thing that happened in my day. I’m still reaching for my phone to tell [him/her/them].
To everyone here today, thank you for loving [Name] too. To [Name], thank you for choosing me. I would do it all again.
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Tributes for Online Memorial Pages and Funeral Home Guestbooks
Most funeral homes now set up an online memorial page with a tribute wall where friends can leave a few words. Families read these in the weeks after a death.
You don’t need to be family to write one of these. In fact the tributes from coworkers, neighbors and old friends are are sometimes the ones families treasure most because they show a side of the person the family didn’t get to see.
6. From a Close Friend
I met [Name] [how you met, such as “on our first day of college” or “in the line at the DMV of all places”] and we’ve been friends ever since. That’s [number] years of phone calls, road trips and conversations that went on far too late.
[He/She/They] was the friend who remembered everything. Your kids’ names, your birthday, the thing you were worried about last month. [He/She/They] always asked.
To [Name]’s family, I’m so sorry. Please know [he/she/they] talked about you constantly and loved you more than anything. I’ll miss my friend every day.
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7. From a Coworker
I had the privilege of working alongside [Name] at [company] for [number] years. [He/She/They] was the person everyone went to when something went wrong, partly because [he/she/they] always knew the answer and partly because [he/she/they] never made you feel silly for asking.
Our office is so much quieter without [him/her/them]. There’s still a [mug/plant/photo] on [his/her/their] desk and nobody can bring themselves to move it.
My deepest sympathy to [Name]’s family. [He/She/They] made our working days better, and we won’t forget it.
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If you need something shorter to sign in a group card our condolence messages for colleagues might help.
8. From a Neighbor
For [number] years [Name] lived [next door/across the street] from us, and in all that time I don’t think [he/she/they] ever let a snowy driveway or an overgrown lawn on our block go unnoticed. [He/She/They] just quietly took care of things.
Our kids grew up waving to [him/her/them] from the yard. [He/She/They] kept a jar of [candy/dog treats] by the door for every child and dog on the street.
The neighborhood won’t be the same. Sending our love and sympathy to the whole family.
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9. From Someone Who Hadn’t Seen Them in Years
This one is for when you lost touch but still want the family to know the person mattered to you.
I hadn’t seen [Name] in a long time, but I’ve thought about [him/her/them] often over the years. We [how you knew them, such as “were roommates back in 1998” or “worked summers together at the lake”], and [he/she/they] was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.
I still remember [one specific memory]. It’s funny which moments stay with you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I wanted you to know that [Name] made a difference in my life, even if it was a long time ago.
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10. From a Former Student
[Name] was my [subject] teacher at [school] in [year], and [he/she/they] is a big part of the reason I became [what you do now]. [He/She/They] had a way of making you feel like your ideas were worth hearing, even when you were fifteen and pretty sure they weren’t.
I still have [something they gave you, such as “the note you wrote on my final essay”]. I’ve read it more times than I can count.
Thank you, [Mr./Mrs./Ms. Name]. You taught a lot more than [subject]. My heartfelt condolences to the family.
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Newspaper In Memoriam Tributes
An In Memoriam notice is different from an obituary. It’s usually placed by the family on an anniversary, a birthday or a holiday, sometimes years after the death. It’s a way of saying publicly that someone is still missed.
Because space costs money these are usually fairly short. Every word has to earn its place.
11. First Anniversary
In loving memory of [Full Name], who left us one year ago today, [date].
A year has passed and not a single day without you in our thoughts. Your love is still the glue that holds this family together.
Forever missed by [names or “your loving family”].
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12. Several Years Later
[Full Name]
[Birth year] to [death year]
[Number] years have gone by, [Name], and we still set a place for you in our hearts every day. The laughter is a little quieter without you, but your stories are still told at every family dinner.
Loved and remembered always by [names].
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13. A Long Time Gone
Remembering [Full Name] on the [number] anniversary of [his/her/their] passing.
Time has taught us to live without you, but never to stop missing you. You are still here in [grandchild’s laugh/the roses you planted/every Sunday dinner].
With love from [names].
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14. A Birthday In Memoriam
Happy [number] birthday in heaven, [Name].
We’ll be celebrating you today the only way that makes sense: with [their favorite cake/meal/drink] and far too many stories. We miss you more than words can say.
All our love, [names].
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For more short wording you could use in a notice like this try our death anniversary quotes or happy birthday in heaven messages.
Social Media Memorial Tributes
For a lot of people a Facebook or Instagram post is now the main place they share a tribute. It’s where old classmates and relatives who live a distance find out and where the comments become a kind of digital guestbook.
Remember though: if you aren’t immediate family wait until the family has shared the news themselves before you post anything. If you’re the one making the first announcement our guide on how to announce a death on Facebook goes through that part.
15. A Facebook Tribute to a Family Member
It’s taken me a few days to be able to write this.
On [day], we lost my [relationship], [Name]. [He/She/They] was [age] and lived every one of those years [loudly/generously/on [his/her/their] own terms].
If you knew [Name], you know [he/she/they] was the first to [a characteristic thing, such as “offer you a ride” or “start the singing at every party”]. If you didn’t, I wish you had. You would have liked [him/her/them]. Everybody did.
Thank you to everyone who has sent messages and meals. We’ve read every one. Please share a memory or a photo of [Name] in the comments if you have one. It would mean the world to us.
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16. A Short Instagram Caption
[Name]. [Birth year] to [death year].
Best [relationship] anyone could ask for. Thank you for every [a small specific thing, such as “Saturday morning pancake” or “bad pun”]. I’ll love you forever.
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17. A Tribute to a Friend
I’ve started and deleted this post about ten times.
[Name] was my friend for [number] years. [He/She/They] was there for my wedding, my divorce, two moves and one truly awful haircut. [He/She/They] never once told me “I told you so,” even when [he/she/they] definitely had.
The world is a lot less fun without [him/her/them] in it. If you’ve got a story about [Name], please tell it below. I want to read every single one.
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18. An Anniversary Post
[Number] years ago today we lost [Name].
People told me it would get easier. I wouldn’t say it has, exactly. It’s just changed shape. Some days I’m fine. Some days I hear [his/her/their] favorite song in the grocery store and have to leave my cart in the cereal aisle.
I’m grateful for every year I had with you, [Name]. Still missing you. Always will.
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19. When the Relationship Was Complicated
Not every loss is simple and a tribute doesn’t have to pretend it was. This one is honest without saying more than you want to.
My [relationship], [Name], passed away this week.
Our relationship wasn’t always easy, and I’m still working out how I feel. But I know [he/she/they] [something true and fair, such as “loved the outdoors more than anyone I’ve ever met” or “worked hard to give us a better life than [he/she/they] had”].
I’m choosing to remember the good parts today. Thank you to everyone who has reached out.
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Tributes for a Memory Book, Slideshow or Memory Table
At a lot of memorials and celebrations of life there’s a table with photos, a slideshow running on a loop or a memory book for guests to read. Each of these needs a few short lines to make it all work together. They are best when they’re simple.
20. Opening Page of a Memory Book
This book is for [Name], who filled our lives with [laughter/music/adventure/love].
Inside you’ll find photos, stories and notes from the people who loved [him/her/them]. Please add your own. We’ll keep this book forever.
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21. A Card for the Memory Table
Celebrating the life of [Full Name]
[Birth date] to [death date]
“[A favorite saying of theirs or a short line you love]”
Please take a moment to look through the photos and remember [him/her/them] with us.
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22. A Closing Slide for a Memorial Slideshow
[Name], thank you for [number] years of [hugs/stories/adventures/love].
You’ll always be in every picture we take from here on.
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23. A Note to Go with a Memory Jar
Share a memory of [Name].
A funny story, a favorite moment, something [he/she/they] said that stuck with you. Write it on a card and drop it in the jar. The family will read every one in the weeks to come.
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If you’re putting together a celebration of life these celebration of life quotes work well on memory table cards and slides.
Tributes for Workplaces, Clubs and Organizations
When someone dies who was part of a workplace, church, school or club, there’s often a need for a more formal written tribute. It might go in a staff email, a newsletter or a bulletin. These need to be warm but a little more careful because they’ll be read by people who knew the person very differently.
24. A Staff Email from a Manager
Subject: Remembering [Name]
Dear team,
It’s with great sadness that I let you know [Name], our [job title] for [number] years, passed away on [date].
Many of you worked closely with [Name] and know what a big part of this team [he/she/they] was. [He/She/They] was [quality, such as “the steady one in every crisis”] and had a talent for [something specific, such as “making new hires feel at home on day one”].
[Details about the service or how to send condolences, if the family has shared them.]
Please take care of each other this week. If you need time or support, my door is open.
[Your name]
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25. A Company or Club Newsletter Tribute
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of [Name], a [member/employee/volunteer] of [organization] since [year].
[Name] joined us in [year] as a [role] and quickly became [one of the people everyone relied on/the heart of our weekend events/a mentor to dozens of newer members]. [He/She/They] [a specific contribution, such as “organized our holiday food drive for twelve years” or “never missed a Tuesday meeting”].
Outside of [organization], [Name] loved [a few personal things]. [He/She/They] is survived by [family members, if the family is happy to share].
[Name] made [organization] a better place. We are grateful for every year [he/she/they] gave us and our thoughts are with [his/her/their] family and friends.
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26. A Tribute from a Volunteer Group
[Name] gave [his/her/their] time to [cause or organization] for [number] years, and in that time [he/she/they] [a measurable or memorable thing, such as “helped serve over 10,000 meals” or “walked every dog at the shelter at least once”].
[He/She/They] never wanted thanks or recognition. [He/She/They] just showed up, every week, and got to work.
We’ll be [a small gesture, such as “planting a tree outside the center” or “naming this year’s fundraiser”] in [his/her/their] memory. Thank you, [Name], for showing us what it really means to give.
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If you’re planning a plaque or bench to go with a tribute like this our memorial plaque wording examples have some lovely short inscriptions.
Tributes for Especially Hard Losses
Some tributes are harder to write than others. These are for losses where the usual words don’t quite fit.
27. For a Young Person
[Name] was only [age] years old, but [he/she/they] packed more [joy/kindness/mischief] into those years than most people manage in a lifetime.
[He/She/They] loved [things they loved], and [he/she/they] had a smile that could change the mood of a whole room. [He/She/They] was a [son/daughter/brother/sister/friend] and a [student/teammate] who will be missed by more people than [he/she/they] ever knew.
We will say your name, [Name]. We will tell your stories. We will make sure you are never forgotten.
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28. After a Sudden Death
None of us were ready to say goodbye to [Name]. One day [he/she/they] was here, [doing something ordinary, such as “texting about weekend plans”], and the next [he/she/they] was gone.
What we’re holding onto now is how fully [he/she/they] lived. [He/She/They] never put off a phone call, never skipped a chance to tell people [he/she/they] loved them and never let a good joke go untold.
[Name], we didn’t get to say goodbye properly. So we’ll say it here. Thank you. We love you. We’ll miss you every day.
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29. After a Long Illness
For [length of time], [Name] faced [his/her/their] illness with more courage and humor than any of us could have managed. [He/She/They] still [something they kept doing, such as “made the nurses laugh every morning” or “insisted on watching every game”].
We’re heartbroken to lose [him/her/them], but there’s some comfort in knowing [he/she/they] is finally at peace and free from pain.
A special thank you to [care team, hospice or caregivers] for the kindness they showed [Name] and all of us. And to [Name]: you were brave right to the end. We are so proud of you.
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30. For a Beloved Pet
[Pet’s name] came into our lives in [year] as [how they arrived, such as “a scruffy rescue nobody else wanted” or “the runt of the litter”] and spent the next [number] years running our household.
[He/She] greeted every one of us at the door like we’d been gone for months. [He/She] stole socks, snored through movies and always knew when one of us needed a little extra company.
The house is far too quiet now. Thank you for every walk, every cuddle and every bit of mischief, [Pet’s name]. You were the best [dog/cat/friend] we could ever have asked for.
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Tips for Writing Your Own Memorial Tribute
- Start with a story, not an adjective. “She was kind” is nice. “She drove two hours in a snowstorm to bring me soup when I had the flu” is the sort of thing that people won’t forget.
- Write it like you’d say it. Read it out loud when you’re done. If a sentence sounds stiff rewrite it the way you’d actually say it to a friend.
- Check the facts. Names, dates and spellings matter enormously to families. Double check them especially for anything printed.
- Ask before you share private details. The cause of death, health problems and family conflicts are the family’s to share, not yours.
- Use their own words if you can. Something like a favorite saying, a line from a letter or the way they signed off their emails can say more than anything you write.
- Don’t worry about making it perfect. Those reading it care less than you think. They just want to recognize the person they loved.
- Borrow a line if you get stuck. A short quote or verse can be a good way to open or close. Our in loving memory quotes and funeral poems are full of them.
If you’re writing a tribute because you’ve also been asked to say something at the service our guide to how to write a eulogy covers that side in much more depth.
Final Thoughts
I hope these memorial tribute examples have given you somewhere to start. Change whatever doesn’t sound like you and fill in the blanks with the things only you know.
Whatever you end up writing the people who read it will be grateful you took the time to do so.
