Writing a eulogy for your father is emotionally hard. Unlike news outlets and celebrities, you probably don’t have obituaries and tributes written ahead of time and standing by. But breaking up your funeral speech makes it easier to tackle. So let’s look at the different parts of a eulogy.
Writing A Eulogy For Your Father
Your relationship with your dad and his life circumstances help dictate your eulogy’s tone. For example, if you’re both retired and spent your days fishing, your words are different than the daughter who loses her dad at a younger age. There are no wrong eulogy words and no perfect humans. So feel comfortable writing about your relationship, wherever it stands.
How To Write A Eulogy
The best eulogies capture the very heart of a loved one. As a funeral director, when meeting families for the first time, I want to know something about the deceased.
So I’ll ask questions like, “Tell me the top three things I should know about your Dad.” And especially when multiple family members are present, I learn all about their loved one. We usually laugh, which is a great way to start funeral planning.
Interestingly, families don’t tell me about Dad’s job or career. But instead, they share what made him special. So when you begin writing a eulogy for your father, tell the audience the top things they should know about him. Tell guests what made your dad special.
Eulogy Template For Your Father
This short template gives you an outline of what to say at your dad’s funeral. Use the prompts below to help fill each section.
- Introduction: Who are you, and what is your relationship with the deceased?
- Share a brief story that speaks to your father’s character.
- Include a quote or scripture.
- Tell a light-hearted, fun story about your dad.
- Say what dad meant to you and guest appreciation.
At the funeral service’s end, the director gives further instructions. So you don’t need to talk about the luncheon or give cemetery directions. Instead, you focus only on your father’s life.
Write An Introduction For Your Eulogy
Start by telling guests who you are. It can be simple: “I’m George’s son, Mark. My brother, Jim, and our Mom, Mary, are grateful that each of you could be here today.”
Even though you may know most of the funeral guests already, introducing yourself makes who you are and your relationship with the deceased clear for everyone.
Think About Your Dad’s Character
Begin brainstorming about your dad. Set aside time to focus without interruptions. Grab a pen and paper or type on your laptop, whichever is easiest.
- Capture your father’s being.
- Who was he at heart?
- What feelings come immediately to mind when you think of your Dad?
- Think about his story. It’s different from a chronological statement of his life events. Instead, capture his life’s meaning.
- What made him laugh? Or cry?
- What were his favorite foods, movies, songs, jokes, travel destinations, or books?
- Would he drive 500 extra miles for world-renowned tacos? Or did he live his whole life within three miles of the farm where he was born?
- Choose memories that speak about Dad’s character and that capture his spirit.
- What do you want people to know about your father?
- What is the world going to be like without him?
- What’s the biggest thing your father taught you? How does that affect your life today?
From your brainstorming session, choose one or two stories or memories to share.
Select Poems, Scriptures, Or Song Lyrics
An excellent way to get your message across when thoughts aren’t flowing is to think about the words others have written. For example, you might select poetry, Bible verses or other scriptures, or even a book section to read as part of your eulogy.
If your dad was a music lover, a line or two from his favorite song might be the perfect touch for his eulogy. And for the faithful, bible verses offer hope and comfort.
Below I’ll give some heartfelt eulogy examples for dads. And you may decide to incorporate some of them.
Add A Funny Story, Just A Bit Of Levity In a Eulogy
An easy way to add a touch of fun to a eulogy is by highlighting one of your dad’s faults funnily. For example, “Our whole family knows Dad was never on time. So Mom told him that events started half an hour before they did!”
Add a funny story to show your father as a well-rounded individual. I love this quote from Marilyn A. Mendoza, Ph.D., who works to help others cope with grief. She says, “One of the tasks of grieving is to learn to laugh again.” So adding a little humor to your father’s eulogy is just what the doctor ordered.
Conclusion For Your Father’s Eulogy
Here’s where you pull it all together into a meaningful wrap-up. From your brainstorming, what do you want guests to remember about your father? What did he mean to you? And then thank guests for their time in honoring your father.
- I can’t help but think that Dad is looking down on us now. He’s probably laughing about the rain we got today and thinking how hilarious we’ll all look in our galoshes at the cemetery later. Dad’s sense of humor was epic. But so was his grateful heart. And I share it with my gratitude for all of you coming to honor him today.
- Without my father, I’m unsure how I’ll get through the upcoming days and months. My heart feels broken, even though he’s now free from disease and illness. Our family thanks you for sharing our grief, even while we celebrate Dad’s incredible life.
Eulogy Examples From The Heart
Here are some eulogy examples to get you thinking about what to write.
Inspirational Thoughts For A Eulogy For Dad From Daughter
Daughters hold a special place in fathers’ hearts. Daughters indeed wrap their daddies right around their little fingers. So these quotes for eulogies for father from daughter examples speak right to that special relationship.
- Losing Dad is one of the hardest things in my life. But I’m so lucky to have had a father as loving as him. He raised me to be a strong woman by encouraging me to reach for the stars. And then he lifted me up when the stars seemed too far out of reach.
- My Dad was the best. But he was also the strictest person I know! My brother could stay out till midnight when we were young, but I had to be home by 9 pm. After having my own daughter, I understood how special Dad thought I was. And I learned that he wanted to protect me. And I loved him even more for it.
- I love books because of the hours Dad spent reading to me. And this last year, when his eyesight failed, I felt blessed to spend hours reading to him.
- My dad taught me that a good man baits your fish hook for you! Oh, how I already miss our fishing days.
Eulogy Examples For Fathers From Sons
Fathers are often larger-than-life beings whose presence sons can’t imagine filling. Our fathers hold families together. And it’s hard to sum up their whole lives in a few words. So borrow from these eulogy examples for fathers from sons.
- My father was a hard worker who taught me the importance of caring for my family. I saw him strap on his work boots even when he wanted to be home with us kids. Dad showed me that hard work and perseverance paid off.
- Dad was the most intelligent man I know. He explained my math homework better than any teacher I had. And when I became a dad myself, my father suddenly got even wiser. I called him for advice many times. And I will miss hearing his loving chuckle as he doled out parenting tips.
- I feel proud to be my father’s son. And I strive to be half the man he was.
- Dad was the life of every party. His smile drew us in, like bees to honey. And I will miss laughing with him.
- My dad has always been my hero. I hope my children look up to me as I did to him.
Final Thoughts On Eulogies For Dads
As you write a eulogy for your father, take it in small pieces.
- Start with an introduction.
- Talk about Dad’s character.
- Share a line of poetry, Bible verse, or favorite quote.
- Tell a funny but respectful story.
- Wrap up what Dad meant to you and thank attendees.
Breaking down the sections makes it easier to write your dad’s eulogy. Cry when you need to. And laugh at funny memories. It’s all part of the grieving process.
