If you're tasked with writing a eulogy for a loved one, you may be wondering what to include in it. You might ask yourself, “Can a eulogy be funny?” When including humor, you want to be sure to follow a few specific guidelines.

We’ll walk you through how to keep your eulogy light-hearted and provide some respectful but funny examples to inspire you.

Key Takeaways 

• Add humor to a eulogy by including funny stories about the deceased.

• A funny eulogy must be respectful and tasteful. Avoid anything disrespectful at all costs.

• You can ensure your eulogy is appropriate by thinking about your audience and balancing humor and respect. 

Can a Eulogy Be Funny?

While writing a eulogy, you may come up with a phrase or joke you think people would like, but you might wonder if it’s appropriate to include it.

However, making your eulogy funny is a great way to keep the mood light, especially if you're celebrating the life of a loved one at a memorial service. 

A eulogy can be both funny and meaningful at the same time if done correctly. For example, you can include humor in your eulogy when talking about your memories or stories about the deceased. 

You can also repeat funny things that happened to them. Adding light-hearted humor to your speech helps with the grieving process.

Humor can also bring people together because it makes them more inclined to share their own feelings and memories of the deceased. It helps them focus on other things besides their pain.

Physiotherapist Tracey Hawthorn of Kelowna, B.C., notes: "You don't want a person to focus on their pain because that's what they do all the time, so you want to find other things, and humor is a good one."

The key to writing a funny yet respectful eulogy is balancing humor and respect just right. 

Instead of jokes, use puns, phrases, and moments of irony to make people chuckle. Recount funny memories or stories about the deceased. If you're second-guessing putting in a joke or something you think is funny, it’s best to leave it out.

Tips for Writing a Funny Eulogy

These helpful tips will ensure you’re being humorous but tasteful at the same time. Always remember you are paying tribute to a loved one with your speech.

Accommodate Your Audience

When writing your eulogy, remember who your audience is. The deceased's family, friends, distant relatives, and colleagues will be listening. So you want to be sure not to offend anyone. You don't know what type of relationship the audience had with the deceased.  

You also need to be mindful of people's cultures and religions. Avoid making jokes about different cultures from your own, as it can come across as offensive. 

For example, if the memorial service or funeral is in a church and the deceased was religious, avoid making jokes about the church. If you're unsure, always speak to a family member or someone close to you and get their opinion. 

Gather Stories

The best way to include humor in your loved one’s eulogy is by gathering stories from their friends, family and people they worked with.

Ask people to share their funny memories or stories of the deceased, which you can incorporate into your eulogy. This way, people will be more likely to find humor in the speech.

Emphasize the Deceased's Comedic Aspects

If the deceased was a naturally funny person, you can incorporate that into the eulogy. Emphasize their jokes and actions in your eulogy as a way to pay tribute to them.

Balance Humor and Respect

Above everything else, remember you’re writing a eulogy, not a comedy skit. Find the balance between being funny and being respectful. One way of doing this is by focusing on good memories of the deceased's life. Your eulogy should provide comfort to those who are listening. 

Practice Your Delivery

To get that perfect balance, practice the delivery of the speech. A big part of humor’s success is how it’s delivered. Sometimes, if you're using a rather sarcastic tone, it can come across as mean instead of funny, which is not what you want in a eulogy. Practice using a light, upbeat tone of voice. 

10 Funny (and Respectful) Eulogy Examples 

Now that you know you can make a eulogy funny, what does that look like? Here are ten examples of incorporating humor into a eulogy. 

Example 1 

Anyone who knew my dad knew how much he loved practical jokes. I remember when I was 12 years old, and the entire family gathered around for Christmas. Thinking it would be a good idea, Dad decided to [tell the funny story]. 

Example 2

We're gathered here today to celebrate the life of a man who was such a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan, we used to joke he was born holding a football in one hand and a beer in the other. 

Example 3

I remember the first time I met Alice. I was at this book club meet-up. I didn't know anyone there, and I hadn't read the book either. Alice, who was sitting across from me, must have noticed how unhappy I was and mouthed [insert joke]. From then on, we were best friends. 

Example 4

Soccer practice will never be the same without Ben. Rain or shine, he would be there with a smile and joke. "Come on boys, let's [Insert phrase]," he'd always say. 

Example 5 

If John were here today, he'd take one look around the room and say [insert funny line]. I can't recount how many times I heard that joke in the time I had the honor of knowing him. 

Example 6

I'd like to finish off my eulogy today with a quote that reminds me of Adam, and if you knew Adam, too, you'll see why. [Insert funny or relevant quote] 

Example 7 

We'll all miss many things about Sarah. From her famous cakes, her infectious laugh and even her singing. You know what I mean if you've heard her at karaoke! 

Example 8 

John was never good at sports, but that never stopped him from having a good time on the golf course. I'll always savor those afternoons spent with him on the green, especially that one time we [insert funny story]. 

Example 9  

I remember one night, Mark and I were sitting outside when he turned to look at me and, out of the blue, said, "Anna, at my funeral, can you please [insert fun request]?"

Example 10 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am so honored to stand before you and pay tribute to my father, Greg. Much to my mother's displeasure, he was always a bit of a prankster. I'll always remember [tell a funny story].  

Mistakes to Avoid When Incorporating Humor in Your Eulogy

When you’re writing your eulogy with some humor in it, avoid making these common mistakes. 

Using Crude and Harmful Humor 

Ensure the humor is not crude or harmful. Avoid making tasteless jokes about death, the circumstances around the deceased's passing, religion and different cultures. 

Crude and/or harmful humor is inappropriate for a eulogy, and the family members of the deceased may find it hurtful.  

Too Much Humor

Avoid adding too much humor to your eulogy, as people will find it very difficult to relate to what you are saying.

The audience is there to celebrate the life of the deceased, not to listen to your jokes. Adding too much humor into your eulogy can end up disrespecting the deceased and their family. 

Disrespect

If not done properly, adding humor to your eulogy can actually come across as disrespectful rather than funny. Be sure you’re delivering the joke in a light-hearted manner. Otherwise, it may come across as being rude. Avoid making jokes at the expense of the deceased and the family, as this is highly disrespectful. 

Controversial Topics

When you’re putting a eulogy together, steer clear of talking about any kind of controversial topic. This includes sensitive details about the deceased's passing, personal happenings or stories of the family, as well as controversial topics like politics. This can make the audience feel very uncomfortable and cause great distress. 

Mentioning Long-Held Grudges

It's perfectly natural for people to have disagreements with friends and family members, which often can result in grudges. However, eulogies are not the time nor place to air these out. Your eulogy is a way to honor the deceased and their life, not bring up bad memories or negative feelings. It’s in poor taste to mention grudges in your eulogy and can embarrass the family. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you write an upbeat eulogy?

Writing an upbeat eulogy can be done by sharing funny memories you have of the deceased or emphasizing their comedic aspects. 

What is a good opening line for a eulogy?

A good opening line in a eulogy is to start by introducing yourself and telling the audience what your relationship is with the deceased. 

How long is too long for a eulogy?

Avoid speaking for more than 10 minutes, which is typically too long for a eulogy. 

How do you read a eulogy without breaking down?

Eulogies can be difficult to read when you are emotional. Try taking deep breaths and reading slowly to avoid breaking down.