Few losses sting as much as the loss of a close friend. For that reason, a good friend sometimes chooses to or is tasked with writing (or helping to write) an obituary.
Whether you have taken this up on your own or have been asked by their family, when in the midst of grief, this can be a difficult task.
Thankfully, you can take inspiration from those who have walked this hard road before you, borrowing the best of their ideas and approaches. Below, we share 10 examples of obituaries and eulogies written by a friend, for a friend, that you may find helpful.
But first, let’s dive into the basics of how to write a heartfelt obituary in the first place.
Few losses sting as much as the loss of a close friend. For that reason, a good friend sometimes chooses to or is tasked with writing (or helping to write) an obituary.
Whether you have taken this up on your own or have been asked by their family, when in the midst of grief, this can be a difficult task.
Thankfully, you can take inspiration from those who have walked this hard road before you, borrowing the best of their ideas and approaches. Below, we share 10 examples of obituaries and eulogies written by a friend, for a friend, that you may find helpful.
But first, let’s dive into the basics of how to write a heartfelt obituary in the first place.
Few losses sting as much as the loss of a close friend. For that reason, a good friend sometimes chooses to or is tasked with writing (or helping to write) an obituary.
Whether you have taken this up on your own or have been asked by their family, when in the midst of grief, this can be a difficult task.
Thankfully, you can take inspiration from those who have walked this hard road before you, borrowing the best of their ideas and approaches. Below, we share 10 examples of obituaries and eulogies written by a friend, for a friend, that you may find helpful.
But first, let’s dive into the basics of how to write a heartfelt obituary in the first place.
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Our ObitWriter® can help you create an obituary for your friend in minutes.
How to Write an Obituary or Eulogy for a Close Friend
Before we begin, it's crucial to differentiate between an obituary and a eulogy. An obituary is a notice of death, often published in newspapers or online, summarizing the person's life, survivors, and funeral or memorial arrangements. A eulogy, on the other hand, is a speech given during a memorial service that celebrates and remembers the life of the deceased, focusing more on personal stories, memories, and their impact on others.
As you can see, they are related but different. Regardless, there is a lot to learn from a good eulogy, as we will explore below.
For now, let’s review the format for how to write an obituary for a close friend. First, consider reviewing our guide written by the Legacy experts, 7 Steps on How to Write an Obituary , which will tell you everything you need to know about the process. Next, look at the following basic steps you can take to help you personalize your tribute to your departed friend:
1. Gather Personal and Life Details
Start by collecting basic information about them, including their full name, age, birthplace, date of birth, and date of death. You'll also want to gather details about their life, such as education, career, passions, accomplishments, and family members. This will make up the basic framework of the obit and is essential to submitting an obituary.
2. Reflect on What Was Important to Them
Think about what mattered most to them. Was it their career, hobbies, volunteer work, or perhaps a cause they were deeply passionate about? Highlight these aspects to paint a picture of who they were and to remind readers of what made them tick.
3. Consider How They Wanted to Be Remembered
If your friend ever spoke about how they wanted to be remembered, or if you know aspects of their character and life they were most proud of, make sure to include these. It's a beautiful way to respect their wishes and legacy. And remember, it’s okay to use humor if that’s something your friend would have wanted!
4. Share Your Favorite Memory
Sharing a personal favorite memory can add a touching and intimate detail to an obituary. Choose a story that captures the essence of your friendship and what made them special to you and others. Perhaps you had a funny incident during a road trip, or they helped you through a difficult time. Whatever it is, make it something that reflects on what made this person special.
5. Mention What Inspired Them
Remember that an obituary’s purpose isn’t to dwell on death, it’s to celebrate someone’s life. Discussing what inspired your friend or motivated them in life can provide insight into their character and values. Whether it was a famous quote, time with their family, a personal philosophy, a Bible passage, or an individual they admired, this detail adds depth to your tribute.
Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong way to write an obituary or eulogy; the most meaningful tributes come from the heart and reflect the essence of the friend you cherished.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered some tributes from a friend to a friend that should serve as inspiration for you. Take a look.
Examples of Obituaries or Eulogies for a Close Friend
If you have the difficult task of writing an obituary for a friend, you might find it helpful to see how others have handled it. Eulogies can also serve as a powerful inspiration, so we’ve included some famous examples that are focused on friendship. We hope they help guide you towards penning he perfect tribute to the person you lost.
1. John Stamos’ Eulogy for Bob Saget
Saying goodbye to a friend is difficult. Sometimes, the most natural course of action is to be heartbreakingly personal when you write a eulogy or obituary. That’s what John Stamos did when he spoke in recognition of his friend and Full House co-star, Bob Saget. His speech hinged on personal stories that highlighted the closeness they shared. It serves as a great example of how to handle writing about a friend who played a big role in your life. His closing words spoke to that friendship – with, of course, a dose of humor:
“Bob, I will never, ever have another friend like you. You will always be my best friend. You are my new guardian angel — a guardian angel with the dirtiest mouth and a heart as big and benevolent as forever. I love you, Baby.”
Read John Stamos’ full eulogy for Bob Saget
2. Obituary for William Fink
When William “Bill” Fink of Belleville, IL passed away, his friends and colleagues took the opportunity to pay tribute to him in a way that both got to the heart of who he was and in a way that suited his sense of humor. Fink was a technophile and worked in the tech field, something they zeroed in on when helping write his obituary. The humor is witty and, most importantly, gives us a glimpse at their friend dynamic.
“William Ralph "Bill" Fink, 46, of Belleville, Ill., born July 28, 1969, in Belleville, Ill., encountered an unhandled exception in his core operating system, which prematurely triggered a critical "STOP" condition on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015.
“Diagnostics indicated multiple cascading hardware failures as the root problem. Though his hardware has been decommissioned, Bill's application has been migrated to the Cloud and has been repurposed to run in a virtual machine on an infinite loop.”
Read William Fink’s full obituary here.
3. Nelson Mandela's Eulogy for Walter Sisulu
Nelson Mandela famously fought against apartheid in South Africa, but he did not do so alone. He worked alongside others in his quest for equality. Among them was his friend Walter Sisulu, also a freedom fighter. The two shared a deep bond and a lifetime of experiences together, something any two friends can understand. That’s why even those of us who haven’t put our lives on the line against an unjust regime can relate to and be inspired by Mandela’s eulogy for his longtime friend. This excerpt sums up their friendship, and many lifelong friendships:
“Our paths first crossed in 1941. During all of these years since, our lives have been intertwined. We shared the joy of living, and the pain. Together we shared ideas, forged common commitments. We walked side by side through the valley of death, nursing each other's bruises, holding each other up when our steps faltered.”
Read Nelson Mandela’s full eulogy for Walter Sisulu here.
4. Kobe Bryant's Eulogy by Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were two of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan is notoriously competitive, but that didn’t stop him from forming a close friendship with the younger Bryant, who looked up to Jordan and sought him out for advice. When Bryan died prematurely in a helicopter accident, the elder Hall of Famer stepped up to deliver a eulogy that strove to help people understand what made their friendship tick.
“I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant that he was just trying to be a better person – a better basketball player. We talked about business, we talked about family, we talked about everything. And he was just trying to be a better person … I admired him because his passion, you rarely see someone who is looking and trying to improve each and every day, not just in sports, but as a parent, as a husband. I am inspired by what he's done, and what he's shared with Vanessa, and what he's shared with his kids.”
Read Michael Jordan’s full eulogy for Kobe Bryant here.
5. Obituary for Bruce Kent Cable
You don’t need to get fancy in order to honor a friend in obituary. Sometimes, it’s enough merely to acknowledge how important a friend has been in someone’s life. Such was the case with Bruce Kent of New Castle. His best friend, Sam Hall, didn’t write the obit, but Kent’s family saw fit to honor their lifelong bond by mentioning him alongside the family Kent left behind. They did so while also recognizing the things Bruce did to help give others a better, more enjoyable life. For example:
“Bruce was a mentor and support group leader for people who were confined to a wheelchair. He would talk them through and support them as they faced the challenges of being in a wheelchair. He never let his wheelchair stop him from doing what he wanted to do and doing it the way everyone else did it!”
Read Bruce Kent’s full obituary here.
6. Brooke Shields’ Eulogy for Michael Jackson
Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were both superstars from a young age, so it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising that the pair formed a friendship. It did seem surprising to some in the celebrity media, however. When Shields delivered a eulogy for her old friend, she touched on the comments their friendship garnered, and did so in a way that also touches on how a good friendship just feels right. It’s something anyone writing an obituary or eulogy can learn from:
“Thinking back to when we met and the many times that we spent together and whenever we were out together, there would be a caption of some kind, and the caption usually said something like 'an odd couple' or 'an unlikely pair,' but to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships.”
Watch Brooke Shields’ entire eulogy for Michael Jackson here.
7. Cher’s Eulogy for Sonny Bono
If Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were unlikely friends, then some might say Cher and Sonny Bono were an unlikely couple. In fact, they said it themselves! But they were also friends for many years who lifted one another up, something Cher reminded us of when she delivered a eulogy for Bono. Her comments here serve as a great example of how to pay tribute to a friend who always worked hard at whatever they did:
“If he really wanted something, he kept going until he achieved it. Once he told me that, when he was a teenager, he got his nose broken six times because he used to get into fights with guys that were much bigger than him. And he said that they would just be beating the crap out of him and would just be keep going back and going back and going back. I said, ‘Well, why?’ And he said, ‘Because eventually I would just wear them down.’ And if you know him, we all got worn down.
“Some people thought that Son wasn’t very bright, but he was smart enough to take an introverted 16-year-old girl and a scrappy little Italian guy with a bad voice and turn them into the most successful and beloved couple of this generation. And some people thought that Son wasn’t to be taken seriously because he allowed himself to be the butt of the jokes on the Sonny and Cher show. What people don’t realize is that he created Sonny and Cher. And he knew what was right for us, you know? He just always knew the right thing. And he wanted to make people laugh so much that he had the confidence to be the butt of the joke because he created the joke.”
Watch Cher’s entire eulogy for Sonny Bono here.
8. Obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe
The warm, inviting obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe pays tribute to Holcombe’s dear friend, Carol Mueller, though this obituary is a bit unusual in that Margaret Holcombe wrote it herself. It’s not unheard of for someone to write their own obituary – many choose to do so in their final days – but we highlight this one because it’s a great example of how to honor a friend. You may take inspiration from it when you are writing your own sympathy message:
“Carol Mueller of Hilton Head gave new meaning to the word ‘friend’. She was my personal shopper for everything from greeting cards to clothes. She brought lunch every week and encouraged me to socialize, exercise and get well, generally making a pest of herself. (Kidding, Carol.) I don't know what I would have done without her and thank goodness I never had to find out.”
Read the full obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe here.
9. Eulogy for Graham Chapman by John Cleese
Graham Chapman was one of the madmen behind the Monty Python comedy troupe. So was John Cleese. When Cleese was tasked with delivering a eulogy for his longtime friend, it came as no surprise that he relied heavily on humor, given that humor was the tie that bound the two. What may have come as a surprise is that Cleese also delivered the first instance of the f-bomb at a British memorial service. His use of profanity shocked some. In his eulogy, however, he explained that his decision was driven by a desire to honor what Chapman would have wanted, a testament to the power of their friendship:
“(Chapman) would never forgive me if I didn’t, if I threw away this opportunity to shock you all on his behalf. Anything for him but mindless good taste.”
Read Graham Chapman’s full eulogy (if you don’t mind some salty language)
10. Eulogy for Jim Henson by Frank Oz
When master puppeteer and filmmaker Frank Oz paid tribute to Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets and many other iconic characters, he spotlighted how his friend and mentor impacted his life. His comments serve as a great example of how good friendships can make us better people, and how to honor that dynamic when writing an obituary or eulogy. Oz said of Henson:
“I can’t tell you how much he supported me. I joined when I was 19, 27 years ago, and he’s given me the most amazing opportunities. And he’s taught me so much, just by being the person that he is. It’s very important to me. There's so much to tell.”
Read and watch Oz’s eulogy for Henson here.
We hope these examples provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need as you navigate this difficult process.
If you need further assistance, Legacy.com offers a wealth of services to help you at every step of the way. This includes funeral planning tools, tips on how to write a memorial, and our brand new ObitWriter ® tool that allows anyone to create a high-quality tribute to their departed loved one in just moments.
We even have tools to help you locate resources on coping with grief, and more.
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
How to Write an Obituary or Eulogy for a Close Friend
Before we begin, it's crucial to differentiate between an obituary and a eulogy. An obituary is a notice of death, often published in newspapers or online, summarizing the person's life, survivors, and funeral or memorial arrangements. A eulogy, on the other hand, is a speech given during a memorial service that celebrates and remembers the life of the deceased, focusing more on personal stories, memories, and their impact on others.
As you can see, they are related but different. Regardless, there is a lot to learn from a good eulogy, as we will explore below.
For now, let’s review the format for how to write an obituary for a close friend. First, consider reviewing our guide written by the Legacy experts, 7 Steps on How to Write an Obituary , which will tell you everything you need to know about the process. Next, look at the following basic steps you can take to help you personalize your tribute to your departed friend:
1. Gather Personal and Life Details
Start by collecting basic information about them, including their full name, age, birthplace, date of birth, and date of death. You'll also want to gather details about their life, such as education, career, passions, accomplishments, and family members. This will make up the basic framework of the obit and is essential to submitting an obituary.
2. Reflect on What Was Important to Them
Think about what mattered most to them. Was it their career, hobbies, volunteer work, or perhaps a cause they were deeply passionate about? Highlight these aspects to paint a picture of who they were and to remind readers of what made them tick.
3. Consider How They Wanted to Be Remembered
If your friend ever spoke about how they wanted to be remembered, or if you know aspects of their character and life they were most proud of, make sure to include these. It's a beautiful way to respect their wishes and legacy. And remember, it’s okay to use humor if that’s something your friend would have wanted!
4. Share Your Favorite Memory
Sharing a personal favorite memory can add a touching and intimate detail to an obituary. Choose a story that captures the essence of your friendship and what made them special to you and others. Perhaps you had a funny incident during a road trip, or they helped you through a difficult time. Whatever it is, make it something that reflects on what made this person special.
5. Mention What Inspired Them
Remember that an obituary’s purpose isn’t to dwell on death, it’s to celebrate someone’s life. Discussing what inspired your friend or motivated them in life can provide insight into their character and values. Whether it was a famous quote, time with their family, a personal philosophy, a Bible passage, or an individual they admired, this detail adds depth to your tribute.
Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong way to write an obituary or eulogy; the most meaningful tributes come from the heart and reflect the essence of the friend you cherished.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered some tributes from a friend to a friend that should serve as inspiration for you. Take a look.
Examples of Obituaries or Eulogies for a Close Friend
If you have the difficult task of writing an obituary for a friend, you might find it helpful to see how others have handled it. Eulogies can also serve as a powerful inspiration, so we’ve included some famous examples that are focused on friendship. We hope they help guide you towards penning he perfect tribute to the person you lost.
1. John Stamos’ Eulogy for Bob Saget
Saying goodbye to a friend is difficult. Sometimes, the most natural course of action is to be heartbreakingly personal when you write a eulogy or obituary. That’s what John Stamos did when he spoke in recognition of his friend and Full House co-star, Bob Saget. His speech hinged on personal stories that highlighted the closeness they shared. It serves as a great example of how to handle writing about a friend who played a big role in your life. His closing words spoke to that friendship – with, of course, a dose of humor:
“Bob, I will never, ever have another friend like you. You will always be my best friend. You are my new guardian angel — a guardian angel with the dirtiest mouth and a heart as big and benevolent as forever. I love you, Baby.”
Read John Stamos’ full eulogy for Bob Saget
2. Obituary for William Fink
When William “Bill” Fink of Belleville, IL passed away, his friends and colleagues took the opportunity to pay tribute to him in a way that both got to the heart of who he was and in a way that suited his sense of humor. Fink was a technophile and worked in the tech field, something they zeroed in on when helping write his obituary. The humor is witty and, most importantly, gives us a glimpse at their friend dynamic.
“William Ralph "Bill" Fink, 46, of Belleville, Ill., born July 28, 1969, in Belleville, Ill., encountered an unhandled exception in his core operating system, which prematurely triggered a critical "STOP" condition on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015.
“Diagnostics indicated multiple cascading hardware failures as the root problem. Though his hardware has been decommissioned, Bill's application has been migrated to the Cloud and has been repurposed to run in a virtual machine on an infinite loop.”
Read William Fink’s full obituary here.
3. Nelson Mandela's Eulogy for Walter Sisulu
Nelson Mandela famously fought against apartheid in South Africa, but he did not do so alone. He worked alongside others in his quest for equality. Among them was his friend Walter Sisulu, also a freedom fighter. The two shared a deep bond and a lifetime of experiences together, something any two friends can understand. That’s why even those of us who haven’t put our lives on the line against an unjust regime can relate to and be inspired by Mandela’s eulogy for his longtime friend. This excerpt sums up their friendship, and many lifelong friendships:
“Our paths first crossed in 1941. During all of these years since, our lives have been intertwined. We shared the joy of living, and the pain. Together we shared ideas, forged common commitments. We walked side by side through the valley of death, nursing each other's bruises, holding each other up when our steps faltered.”
Read Nelson Mandela’s full eulogy for Walter Sisulu here.
4. Kobe Bryant's Eulogy by Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were two of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan is notoriously competitive, but that didn’t stop him from forming a close friendship with the younger Bryant, who looked up to Jordan and sought him out for advice. When Bryan died prematurely in a helicopter accident, the elder Hall of Famer stepped up to deliver a eulogy that strove to help people understand what made their friendship tick.
“I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant that he was just trying to be a better person – a better basketball player. We talked about business, we talked about family, we talked about everything. And he was just trying to be a better person … I admired him because his passion, you rarely see someone who is looking and trying to improve each and every day, not just in sports, but as a parent, as a husband. I am inspired by what he's done, and what he's shared with Vanessa, and what he's shared with his kids.”
Read Michael Jordan’s full eulogy for Kobe Bryant here.
5. Obituary for Bruce Kent Cable
You don’t need to get fancy in order to honor a friend in obituary. Sometimes, it’s enough merely to acknowledge how important a friend has been in someone’s life. Such was the case with Bruce Kent of New Castle. His best friend, Sam Hall, didn’t write the obit, but Kent’s family saw fit to honor their lifelong bond by mentioning him alongside the family Kent left behind. They did so while also recognizing the things Bruce did to help give others a better, more enjoyable life. For example:
“Bruce was a mentor and support group leader for people who were confined to a wheelchair. He would talk them through and support them as they faced the challenges of being in a wheelchair. He never let his wheelchair stop him from doing what he wanted to do and doing it the way everyone else did it!”
Read Bruce Kent’s full obituary here.
6. Brooke Shields’ Eulogy for Michael Jackson
Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were both superstars from a young age, so it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising that the pair formed a friendship. It did seem surprising to some in the celebrity media, however. When Shields delivered a eulogy for her old friend, she touched on the comments their friendship garnered, and did so in a way that also touches on how a good friendship just feels right. It’s something anyone writing an obituary or eulogy can learn from:
“Thinking back to when we met and the many times that we spent together and whenever we were out together, there would be a caption of some kind, and the caption usually said something like 'an odd couple' or 'an unlikely pair,' but to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships.”
Watch Brooke Shields’ entire eulogy for Michael Jackson here.
7. Cher’s Eulogy for Sonny Bono
If Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were unlikely friends, then some might say Cher and Sonny Bono were an unlikely couple. In fact, they said it themselves! But they were also friends for many years who lifted one another up, something Cher reminded us of when she delivered a eulogy for Bono. Her comments here serve as a great example of how to pay tribute to a friend who always worked hard at whatever they did:
“If he really wanted something, he kept going until he achieved it. Once he told me that, when he was a teenager, he got his nose broken six times because he used to get into fights with guys that were much bigger than him. And he said that they would just be beating the crap out of him and would just be keep going back and going back and going back. I said, ‘Well, why?’ And he said, ‘Because eventually I would just wear them down.’ And if you know him, we all got worn down.
“Some people thought that Son wasn’t very bright, but he was smart enough to take an introverted 16-year-old girl and a scrappy little Italian guy with a bad voice and turn them into the most successful and beloved couple of this generation. And some people thought that Son wasn’t to be taken seriously because he allowed himself to be the butt of the jokes on the Sonny and Cher show. What people don’t realize is that he created Sonny and Cher. And he knew what was right for us, you know? He just always knew the right thing. And he wanted to make people laugh so much that he had the confidence to be the butt of the joke because he created the joke.”
Watch Cher’s entire eulogy for Sonny Bono here.
8. Obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe
The warm, inviting obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe pays tribute to Holcombe’s dear friend, Carol Mueller, though this obituary is a bit unusual in that Margaret Holcombe wrote it herself. It’s not unheard of for someone to write their own obituary – many choose to do so in their final days – but we highlight this one because it’s a great example of how to honor a friend. You may take inspiration from it when you are writing your own sympathy message:
“Carol Mueller of Hilton Head gave new meaning to the word ‘friend’. She was my personal shopper for everything from greeting cards to clothes. She brought lunch every week and encouraged me to socialize, exercise and get well, generally making a pest of herself. (Kidding, Carol.) I don't know what I would have done without her and thank goodness I never had to find out.”
Read the full obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe here.
9. Eulogy for Graham Chapman by John Cleese
Graham Chapman was one of the madmen behind the Monty Python comedy troupe. So was John Cleese. When Cleese was tasked with delivering a eulogy for his longtime friend, it came as no surprise that he relied heavily on humor, given that humor was the tie that bound the two. What may have come as a surprise is that Cleese also delivered the first instance of the f-bomb at a British memorial service. His use of profanity shocked some. In his eulogy, however, he explained that his decision was driven by a desire to honor what Chapman would have wanted, a testament to the power of their friendship:
“(Chapman) would never forgive me if I didn’t, if I threw away this opportunity to shock you all on his behalf. Anything for him but mindless good taste.”
Read Graham Chapman’s full eulogy (if you don’t mind some salty language)
10. Eulogy for Jim Henson by Frank Oz
When master puppeteer and filmmaker Frank Oz paid tribute to Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets and many other iconic characters, he spotlighted how his friend and mentor impacted his life. His comments serve as a great example of how good friendships can make us better people, and how to honor that dynamic when writing an obituary or eulogy. Oz said of Henson:
“I can’t tell you how much he supported me. I joined when I was 19, 27 years ago, and he’s given me the most amazing opportunities. And he’s taught me so much, just by being the person that he is. It’s very important to me. There's so much to tell.”
Read and watch Oz’s eulogy for Henson here.
We hope these examples provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need as you navigate this difficult process.
If you need further assistance, Legacy.com offers a wealth of services to help you at every step of the way. This includes funeral planning tools, tips on how to write a memorial, and our brand new ObitWriter ® tool that allows anyone to create a high-quality tribute to their departed loved one in just moments.
We even have tools to help you locate resources on coping with grief, and more.
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
How to Write an Obituary or Eulogy for a Close Friend
Before we begin, it's crucial to differentiate between an obituary and a eulogy. An obituary is a notice of death, often published in newspapers or online, summarizing the person's life, survivors, and funeral or memorial arrangements. A eulogy, on the other hand, is a speech given during a memorial service that celebrates and remembers the life of the deceased, focusing more on personal stories, memories, and their impact on others.
As you can see, they are related but different. Regardless, there is a lot to learn from a good eulogy, as we will explore below.
For now, let’s review the format for how to write an obituary for a close friend. First, consider reviewing our guide written by the Legacy experts, 7 Steps on How to Write an Obituary , which will tell you everything you need to know about the process. Next, look at the following basic steps you can take to help you personalize your tribute to your departed friend:
1. Gather Personal and Life Details
Start by collecting basic information about them, including their full name, age, birthplace, date of birth, and date of death. You'll also want to gather details about their life, such as education, career, passions, accomplishments, and family members. This will make up the basic framework of the obit and is essential to submitting an obituary.
2. Reflect on What Was Important to Them
Think about what mattered most to them. Was it their career, hobbies, volunteer work, or perhaps a cause they were deeply passionate about? Highlight these aspects to paint a picture of who they were and to remind readers of what made them tick.
3. Consider How They Wanted to Be Remembered
If your friend ever spoke about how they wanted to be remembered, or if you know aspects of their character and life they were most proud of, make sure to include these. It's a beautiful way to respect their wishes and legacy. And remember, it’s okay to use humor if that’s something your friend would have wanted!
4. Share Your Favorite Memory
Sharing a personal favorite memory can add a touching and intimate detail to an obituary. Choose a story that captures the essence of your friendship and what made them special to you and others. Perhaps you had a funny incident during a road trip, or they helped you through a difficult time. Whatever it is, make it something that reflects on what made this person special.
5. Mention What Inspired Them
Remember that an obituary’s purpose isn’t to dwell on death, it’s to celebrate someone’s life. Discussing what inspired your friend or motivated them in life can provide insight into their character and values. Whether it was a famous quote, time with their family, a personal philosophy, a Bible passage, or an individual they admired, this detail adds depth to your tribute.
Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong way to write an obituary or eulogy; the most meaningful tributes come from the heart and reflect the essence of the friend you cherished.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered some tributes from a friend to a friend that should serve as inspiration for you. Take a look.
Examples of Obituaries or Eulogies for a Close Friend
If you have the difficult task of writing an obituary for a friend, you might find it helpful to see how others have handled it. Eulogies can also serve as a powerful inspiration, so we’ve included some famous examples that are focused on friendship. We hope they help guide you towards penning he perfect tribute to the person you lost.
1. John Stamos’ Eulogy for Bob Saget
Saying goodbye to a friend is difficult. Sometimes, the most natural course of action is to be heartbreakingly personal when you write a eulogy or obituary. That’s what John Stamos did when he spoke in recognition of his friend and Full House co-star, Bob Saget. His speech hinged on personal stories that highlighted the closeness they shared. It serves as a great example of how to handle writing about a friend who played a big role in your life. His closing words spoke to that friendship – with, of course, a dose of humor:
“Bob, I will never, ever have another friend like you. You will always be my best friend. You are my new guardian angel — a guardian angel with the dirtiest mouth and a heart as big and benevolent as forever. I love you, Baby.”
Read John Stamos’ full eulogy for Bob Saget
2. Obituary for William Fink
When William “Bill” Fink of Belleville, IL passed away, his friends and colleagues took the opportunity to pay tribute to him in a way that both got to the heart of who he was and in a way that suited his sense of humor. Fink was a technophile and worked in the tech field, something they zeroed in on when helping write his obituary. The humor is witty and, most importantly, gives us a glimpse at their friend dynamic.
“William Ralph "Bill" Fink, 46, of Belleville, Ill., born July 28, 1969, in Belleville, Ill., encountered an unhandled exception in his core operating system, which prematurely triggered a critical "STOP" condition on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015.
“Diagnostics indicated multiple cascading hardware failures as the root problem. Though his hardware has been decommissioned, Bill's application has been migrated to the Cloud and has been repurposed to run in a virtual machine on an infinite loop.”
Read William Fink’s full obituary here.
3. Nelson Mandela's Eulogy for Walter Sisulu
Nelson Mandela famously fought against apartheid in South Africa, but he did not do so alone. He worked alongside others in his quest for equality. Among them was his friend Walter Sisulu, also a freedom fighter. The two shared a deep bond and a lifetime of experiences together, something any two friends can understand. That’s why even those of us who haven’t put our lives on the line against an unjust regime can relate to and be inspired by Mandela’s eulogy for his longtime friend. This excerpt sums up their friendship, and many lifelong friendships:
“Our paths first crossed in 1941. During all of these years since, our lives have been intertwined. We shared the joy of living, and the pain. Together we shared ideas, forged common commitments. We walked side by side through the valley of death, nursing each other's bruises, holding each other up when our steps faltered.”
Read Nelson Mandela’s full eulogy for Walter Sisulu here.
4. Kobe Bryant's Eulogy by Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were two of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan is notoriously competitive, but that didn’t stop him from forming a close friendship with the younger Bryant, who looked up to Jordan and sought him out for advice. When Bryan died prematurely in a helicopter accident, the elder Hall of Famer stepped up to deliver a eulogy that strove to help people understand what made their friendship tick.
“I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant that he was just trying to be a better person – a better basketball player. We talked about business, we talked about family, we talked about everything. And he was just trying to be a better person … I admired him because his passion, you rarely see someone who is looking and trying to improve each and every day, not just in sports, but as a parent, as a husband. I am inspired by what he's done, and what he's shared with Vanessa, and what he's shared with his kids.”
Read Michael Jordan’s full eulogy for Kobe Bryant here.
5. Obituary for Bruce Kent Cable
You don’t need to get fancy in order to honor a friend in obituary. Sometimes, it’s enough merely to acknowledge how important a friend has been in someone’s life. Such was the case with Bruce Kent of New Castle. His best friend, Sam Hall, didn’t write the obit, but Kent’s family saw fit to honor their lifelong bond by mentioning him alongside the family Kent left behind. They did so while also recognizing the things Bruce did to help give others a better, more enjoyable life. For example:
“Bruce was a mentor and support group leader for people who were confined to a wheelchair. He would talk them through and support them as they faced the challenges of being in a wheelchair. He never let his wheelchair stop him from doing what he wanted to do and doing it the way everyone else did it!”
Read Bruce Kent’s full obituary here.
6. Brooke Shields’ Eulogy for Michael Jackson
Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were both superstars from a young age, so it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising that the pair formed a friendship. It did seem surprising to some in the celebrity media, however. When Shields delivered a eulogy for her old friend, she touched on the comments their friendship garnered, and did so in a way that also touches on how a good friendship just feels right. It’s something anyone writing an obituary or eulogy can learn from:
“Thinking back to when we met and the many times that we spent together and whenever we were out together, there would be a caption of some kind, and the caption usually said something like 'an odd couple' or 'an unlikely pair,' but to us it was the most natural and easiest of friendships.”
Watch Brooke Shields’ entire eulogy for Michael Jackson here.
7. Cher’s Eulogy for Sonny Bono
If Brooke Shields and Michael Jackson were unlikely friends, then some might say Cher and Sonny Bono were an unlikely couple. In fact, they said it themselves! But they were also friends for many years who lifted one another up, something Cher reminded us of when she delivered a eulogy for Bono. Her comments here serve as a great example of how to pay tribute to a friend who always worked hard at whatever they did:
“If he really wanted something, he kept going until he achieved it. Once he told me that, when he was a teenager, he got his nose broken six times because he used to get into fights with guys that were much bigger than him. And he said that they would just be beating the crap out of him and would just be keep going back and going back and going back. I said, ‘Well, why?’ And he said, ‘Because eventually I would just wear them down.’ And if you know him, we all got worn down.
“Some people thought that Son wasn’t very bright, but he was smart enough to take an introverted 16-year-old girl and a scrappy little Italian guy with a bad voice and turn them into the most successful and beloved couple of this generation. And some people thought that Son wasn’t to be taken seriously because he allowed himself to be the butt of the jokes on the Sonny and Cher show. What people don’t realize is that he created Sonny and Cher. And he knew what was right for us, you know? He just always knew the right thing. And he wanted to make people laugh so much that he had the confidence to be the butt of the joke because he created the joke.”
Watch Cher’s entire eulogy for Sonny Bono here.
8. Obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe
The warm, inviting obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe pays tribute to Holcombe’s dear friend, Carol Mueller, though this obituary is a bit unusual in that Margaret Holcombe wrote it herself. It’s not unheard of for someone to write their own obituary – many choose to do so in their final days – but we highlight this one because it’s a great example of how to honor a friend. You may take inspiration from it when you are writing your own sympathy message:
“Carol Mueller of Hilton Head gave new meaning to the word ‘friend’. She was my personal shopper for everything from greeting cards to clothes. She brought lunch every week and encouraged me to socialize, exercise and get well, generally making a pest of herself. (Kidding, Carol.) I don't know what I would have done without her and thank goodness I never had to find out.”
Read the full obituary for Margaret Aitken Holcombe here.
9. Eulogy for Graham Chapman by John Cleese
Graham Chapman was one of the madmen behind the Monty Python comedy troupe. So was John Cleese. When Cleese was tasked with delivering a eulogy for his longtime friend, it came as no surprise that he relied heavily on humor, given that humor was the tie that bound the two. What may have come as a surprise is that Cleese also delivered the first instance of the f-bomb at a British memorial service. His use of profanity shocked some. In his eulogy, however, he explained that his decision was driven by a desire to honor what Chapman would have wanted, a testament to the power of their friendship:
“(Chapman) would never forgive me if I didn’t, if I threw away this opportunity to shock you all on his behalf. Anything for him but mindless good taste.”
Read Graham Chapman’s full eulogy (if you don’t mind some salty language)
10. Eulogy for Jim Henson by Frank Oz
When master puppeteer and filmmaker Frank Oz paid tribute to Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets and many other iconic characters, he spotlighted how his friend and mentor impacted his life. His comments serve as a great example of how good friendships can make us better people, and how to honor that dynamic when writing an obituary or eulogy. Oz said of Henson:
“I can’t tell you how much he supported me. I joined when I was 19, 27 years ago, and he’s given me the most amazing opportunities. And he’s taught me so much, just by being the person that he is. It’s very important to me. There's so much to tell.”
Read and watch Oz’s eulogy for Henson here.
We hope these examples provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need as you navigate this difficult process.
If you need further assistance, Legacy.com offers a wealth of services to help you at every step of the way. This includes funeral planning tools, tips on how to write a memorial, and our brand new ObitWriter ® tool that allows anyone to create a high-quality tribute to their departed loved one in just moments.
We even have tools to help you locate resources on coping with grief, and more.
If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
"ObitWriter": The All-Purpose Interactive Obituary Writing Tool
If you want an even simpler way to create an obituary, it’s fast, easy, and free to use Legacy’s ObitWriter® tool. All you have to do is answer some basic questions about your loved one’s life, and in just a few minutes, ObitWriter will take your responses and turn them into a well-written draft of a thoughtful, respectful obituary.
Ready to get started?
Ready to get started?
Our ObitWriter® Template can help you create an obituary in minutes.
Our ObitWriter® Template can help you create an obituary in minutes.
Ready to get started?
Our ObitWriter® Template can help you create an obituary in minutes.
