The best examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues

Short, heartfelt example of a memorial speech for a colleague

Sometimes you’re asked to speak with very little notice, or the service is tight on time. In those moments, a short and sincere tribute is more than enough. Here is a brief example of a memorial speech for a colleague that you can adapt:

“Good afternoon. My name is Maria, and I had the honor of working with Daniel for the past seven years.

When I think of Daniel, the first word that comes to mind is ‘steady.’ He was the person you could count on when a deadline was falling apart or a client was frustrated. He never raised his voice, never threw anyone under the bus. He just quietly asked, ‘Okay, what do we need to do?’ and then did it.

But what I’ll miss most isn’t his work ethic. It’s the small, everyday kindnesses: the way he kept extra snacks in his desk for anyone who skipped lunch, how he remembered everyone’s kids’ names, how he stayed late with new hires so they didn’t feel lost.

Our office will not be the same without Daniel. We will honor him by trying to show each other the same patience and kindness he showed us every day. Thank you.”

This is one of the best examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues when you need something simple: it introduces your relationship, shares a few specific traits and stories, and ends with how you’ll carry their memory forward.

Longer tribute: examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues from a team member

When you have more time, you can paint a fuller picture. The following example of a memorial speech for a coworker works well if you were part of the same team or department:

“I’m James, and I worked with Priya on the product team for almost a decade. It feels impossible to sum up someone like Priya in a few minutes, but I’ll try.

If you only saw Priya in a meeting, you might think of her as ‘the organized one.’ She always had the color-coded spreadsheets, the backup plan, the backup to the backup plan. But to those of us who sat near her, she was also the unofficial team therapist, birthday planner, and comic relief.

Some of my favorite memories are from late nights before big launches. We’d be tired, stressed, and a little snappy. Priya would quietly disappear and come back with takeout for everyone, then insist we take a ten-minute break to talk about anything except work. Those ten minutes always changed the mood. She understood that we weren’t just employees; we were people.

Over the years, Priya taught me that excellence and kindness are not opposites. You can be sharp and soft at the same time. You can hold high standards and still be gentle with people who are learning.

To Priya’s family: thank you for sharing her with us. We know that the qualities we loved in her at work came from the love and values she experienced at home. We will miss her laugh, her honesty, and the way she made our workplace feel like a community.

We can’t fill the space she leaves behind, but we can honor her by treating each other with the same care she showed us every day.”

This is one of the real examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues that balances professional respect with personal warmth, which is often exactly what a workplace memorial needs.

From a manager or supervisor: examples include leadership-focused tributes

If you’re speaking as a manager, supervisor, or company leader, your tone may be a bit more formal, but it should still feel human. Here is an example of a memorial speech from a manager to a colleague they supervised:

“I’m Laura, and I had the privilege of managing Michael for the last five years.

In many ways, Michael was a manager’s dream. He was reliable, thoughtful, and deeply committed to doing things the right way, even when nobody was watching. But what I admired most about him was how he used his strengths to lift up everyone around him.

New employees quickly learned that if they were stuck, they could go to Michael. He never made anyone feel foolish for asking a question. Instead, he would say, ‘Let’s walk through it together,’ and you could see people relax.

In performance reviews, I often told him that his impact went far beyond his job description. He helped shape our culture. He modeled what it looks like to be both excellent and humble, both direct and kind.

Losing a colleague like Michael is not just losing an employee; it’s losing a part of the heart of this organization. To his family, please know: the work he did here mattered, but even more, the way he treated people mattered. We will carry his example with us in the decisions we make and the way we support each other moving forward.”

When you’re looking for examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues in leadership roles, notice how this one acknowledges both performance and character, and speaks directly to the family as well as coworkers.

Non-religious examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues

Many workplaces are diverse, with people from different faiths or no faith at all. In those settings, a non-religious memorial speech can feel respectful and inclusive. Here is a secular example of a memorial speech for a coworker:

“My name is Ethan, and I worked with Mei in the design group.

When I think about Mei, I don’t think first about job titles or projects, even though she was brilliant at what she did. I think about the way she made people feel.

She had this quiet way of noticing who was struggling. If someone was having a hard week, she’d leave a small note on their desk, or send a message saying, ‘You don’t have to respond, just know I’m thinking of you.’ Those tiny gestures added up. They reminded us that we weren’t just here to get things done, we were here together.

We often talk about ‘legacy’ like it has to be something grand or public. But I think Mei’s legacy is in the dozens of small, kind choices she made every day. The extra time she spent mentoring interns. The way she stayed calm when things went wrong. The way she listened when someone needed to vent.

We can honor her by doing the same. By paying attention to each other. By being patient. By remembering that how we treat people is just as important as any deadline or deliverable.

Mei, thank you for showing us what quiet strength looks like. We will miss you.”

This non-religious example of a memorial speech focuses on values and impact without referencing any specific belief system, which can work well in mixed-faith settings.

Faith-based example of a memorial speech for a colleague

In some workplaces or families, a spiritual or faith-based tone feels right. Here is a gentle, Christian-leaning example that you can adjust to your own tradition:

“I’m Angela, and I had the blessing of working alongside Robert for twelve years.

Robert’s faith was not something he pushed on anyone, but it was something you could see in the way he lived. He was generous with his time, patient when others were frustrated, and always ready to offer a word of encouragement.

One verse he loved was from the book of Micah: ‘What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly.’ I saw that verse in action in the way he treated people in this office.

Today, as we grieve his loss, we also give thanks for the years we had with him. We are grateful for the laughter he brought to our break room, the wisdom he shared in tough meetings, and the way he reminded us that our work could be an expression of love and service.

To Robert’s family, please know that he was a light here. We will miss him deeply, but we trust that the love he shared continues on in all of us.

May we honor his memory by acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly, just as he did.”

Among the best examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues with a spiritual tone, this one keeps the focus on the person’s character and lets the faith references support the message rather than dominate it.

Virtual and hybrid memorials: examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues in 2024–2025

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual and hybrid memorials have become far more common. In 2024–2025, many companies still hold online remembrance gatherings for remote teams spread across states or countries. Speaking on video feels different, but the heart of the message is the same.

Here is a brief example of a memorial speech for a colleague in a virtual setting:

“Thank you all for joining from so many different places. My name is David, and I worked with Sofia on the global marketing team.

One of the strange gifts of remote work is that we got to see a little more of each other’s lives. Many of us met Sofia’s kids when they popped into frame, or her dog when he barked at the delivery driver. Those moments reminded us that behind every screen is a whole person.

Sofia brought that same sense of humanity to our work. She checked in on teammates in different time zones. She stayed up late to support a launch in another region, then turned around and encouraged others to log off and rest when they needed it.

Even though we’re scattered across cities and countries today, our grief is shared. So is our gratitude. We are grateful for the ideas she brought, the courage she showed in trying new things, and the kindness she extended across borders.

As we continue working together from our separate homes and offices, I hope we’ll remember what Sofia modeled: that connection is not about being in the same room; it’s about showing up for each other with care.

Thank you, Sofia, for showing us how to do that.”

When you look for real examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues in modern workplaces, it helps to include details like virtual meetings, remote teams, and cross-border collaboration, because that’s the reality for many of us now.

How to shape your own speech using these examples

You might be wondering how to move from reading these examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues to actually writing your own words. A simple way to start is to think in three parts and then fill in each part with specific details about your coworker.

Begin with who you are and how you knew them. This can be as simple as, “I’m Alex, and I worked with Jordan in the call center for five years.” That one sentence gives your listeners context.

Next, choose two or three qualities that really describe them. Not generic traits like “hardworking” or “nice,” but things people would instantly recognize: their dry sense of humor, their calm under pressure, their habit of bringing in homemade cookies on Fridays. Then share a brief story or example for each quality. This is where the person comes alive in the listeners’ minds.

Finally, close by reflecting on what you and others will carry forward from their life. That might be a lesson they taught you, a phrase they always used, or a way they treated people that you want to imitate. This gives the speech a sense of direction and hope, even in the middle of grief.

If you’re struggling emotionally, that’s normal. The American Psychological Association notes that grief can affect concentration, memory, and sleep, which makes writing and speaking harder. Be gentle with yourself. You do not have to write the “perfect” tribute. You just have to speak honestly.

Adapting examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues to different relationships

Not every coworker relationship looks the same. You might have been:

• A close friend who shared daily conversations
• A peer who respected them but wasn’t deeply personal
• A junior employee who looked up to them
• A senior leader who saw their broader impact

Each of these relationships will shape your tone. If you were close friends, you can share more personal stories and even a bit of humor, as long as it feels respectful. If you didn’t know them very well, it’s okay to say that and focus on what you observed and what others have shared.

For example, if you were more of an acquaintance, your speech might sound like this:

“I didn’t know Carlos as well as some of you did, but I saw the way he treated people every day. I saw him hold the elevator, stay late to help a teammate, and greet our security staff by name. Those small acts told me a lot about who he was.”

This still fits within the best examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues because it stays honest to your experience while honoring the person.

Practical tips for delivering your memorial speech

Even with strong examples in front of you, speaking at a memorial can feel intimidating. A few simple practices can help:

Practice reading your speech out loud at least once. You’ll catch awkward phrases and get a sense of timing. The Mayo Clinic notes that grief can cause physical symptoms like trembling and shortness of breath, so practicing can help you feel a little steadier.

Print your speech or have it clearly visible on a tablet. In the moment, it’s easy to lose your place if you’re just using your phone or a few loose notes.

Give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel. If you cry, pause, take a breath, and continue when you’re ready. Listeners don’t expect you to be perfectly composed; they expect you to be real.

If you’re speaking at a workplace-organized memorial, you can also ask HR or leadership about the time limit and tone they’re hoping for. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and similar agencies often encourage employers to support grieving employees with flexibility and compassion; a thoughtful memorial is one way companies try to do that.

As you look back through these examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues, remember that you’re allowed to borrow. Adjust names, swap in your own stories, and change the tone to sound like you. The goal is not to impress anyone; it’s to honor a life that mattered.

FAQ: Memorial speeches for colleagues

How long should a memorial speech for a colleague be?
Most workplace memorial speeches are between three and seven minutes. That’s long enough to share a few stories without overwhelming the program. When using these examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues, try reading them aloud and timing yourself, then trimming or expanding as needed.

Can I use humor in a memorial speech for a coworker?
Yes, gentle humor can be very comforting, especially if your colleague was known for their jokes or playful personality. The key is to keep it kind and avoid anything that might embarrass the family or coworkers. Several real examples above include light humor in a respectful way.

What if I didn’t know my colleague very well?
You can still speak meaningfully by focusing on what you observed: how they treated others, what the team admired about them, or how their work made a difference. You might also weave in stories others have shared with you and acknowledge that some people in the room knew them more deeply.

Is it okay to read from a script?
Absolutely. Most people who give the best examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues are reading, not memorizing. Having your words written out can help you stay grounded if emotions rise.

Where can I see more examples of memorial speeches?
Many hospice organizations, universities, and grief-support nonprofits share guides and examples of memorial speech examples for colleagues and loved ones. You can also look at resources from organizations like the National Institutes of Health that discuss grief and remembrance, which may give you language for talking about loss and healing.