writing a speech to honor someone

Tribute Speech

A Tribute Speech is a profound way to honor and celebrate an individual’s impact or a significant event. This comprehensive guide, filled with eloquent speech examples, offers step-by-step instructions on crafting a moving and memorable tribute. Whether honoring a colleague, a loved one, or a notable figure, these guidelines will help you convey your admiration and respect powerfully. Learn to express heartfelt emotions and share impactful stories that do justice to the person or occasion being commemorated.

What is Tribute Speech?

A tribute speech is a specific type of commemorative address dedicated to expressing honor, admiration, and respect towards a person, event, thing, or idea. It is crafted to celebrate and acknowledge the significance and impact of its subject. Typically, tribute speeches highlight the exceptional qualities of the honored subject and reflect on their profound influence.

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A tribute speech is one of the most personal and emotional speech. Because it talks about the life of a particular person or a group of people. It is a speech that will inspire others and make the listeners come together as one in commemorating and honoring the life of the subject.A tribute speech is not only given to a deceased person, in fact, it is also given to a living person who still manages to give contribution or service, doing remarkable things, and still inspire and influence others. The best speeches are ones that are honest, sincere, full of admiration, and has a good speech outline .

Tribute Speech Format

Introduction Good evening, everyone. We are gathered here today not just to celebrate an extraordinary career but to honor a life that has made a profound difference. I’m here to speak about Dr. Jane Thompson, a person whose contributions have not only advanced the field of environmental science but have also inspired a generation to live more conscientiously. Body Early Life and Background Born in a small coastal town, Jane was always fascinated by the ocean. Her early years, spent volunteering at marine sanctuaries, laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to environmental conservation. Despite facing early challenges, including limited access to advanced education and resources, Jane’s determination led her to earn a scholarship to a prestigious university, where she began her journey to becoming the influential figure we admire today. Achievements and Contributions Professionally, Dr. Thompson’s work has been groundbreaking. Her research on coral reef preservation has not only won her numerous international awards but has also played a critical role in developing sustainable marine practices worldwide. However, Jane’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She founded the Green Future Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young people about environmental stewardship, demonstrating her belief that real change begins with education. Personal Stories I remember a time when Jane organized a community clean-up. It wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and fostering a sense of community responsibility towards our environment. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her genuine care for both people and the planet was evident in everything she did. Conclusion As we reflect on Dr. Thompson’s contributions, it’s clear that her legacy is not just in her scientific achievements but in the hearts and minds she has touched. Jane once said, “Change is the collective sum of our actions.” Today, we not only celebrate her remarkable contributions but also commit to continuing her legacy through our actions. In closing, I’d like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jane Thompson for her unwavering dedication, inspiring leadership, and compassionate heart. Thank you, Jane, for showing us the way forward

How to write a Tribute Speech

Step 1: choose your focus.

Select the Person: Clearly define who you are honoring. It could be a friend, family member, colleague, or a public figure.
Determine the Purpose: Understand the occasion and what you aim to achieve with your speech—celebrate their life, highlight their accomplishments, or honor their memory.

Step 2: Gather Information

Research: Collect information about their life, achievements, and impact. This may involve speaking with friends and family, looking at their social media, or recalling personal memories. Select Key Points: Identify the most significant aspects of their life and work that you want to highlight. These should reflect their values, contributions, and the difference they made.

Step 3: Organize Your Speech

Follow the tribute speech format outlined previously, organizing your speech into an introduction, body, and conclusion. Within this structure, decide how you will present the information (chronologically, thematically, etc.).

Step 4: Write the Introduction

Hook: Begin with a powerful opening to grab attention. This could be a quote, an anecdote, or a profound statement. Purpose: State the purpose of your speech and briefly introduce the person you’re honoring.

Step 5: Develop the Body

Early Life and Background: Start with some background information that provides context to their life and achievements. Achievements and Contributions: Highlight their professional and personal accomplishments, focusing on how they’ve impacted others. Personal Stories: Share anecdotes and personal stories that showcase their character and the personal side that people admired.

Step 6: Craft the Conclusion

Summarize: Briefly recap the key points you’ve made throughout your speech. Reflect: Offer a reflection on their legacy and what they mean to you and others. End with a Tribute: Conclude with a heartfelt tribute, expressing gratitude, admiration, or a final farewell.

Step 7: Edit and Practice

Review and Refine: Read through your speech, making adjustments to ensure clarity, flow, and emotional impact. Aim for a tone that matches the occasion and your relationship with the honoree. Practice: Rehearse your speech multiple times. This helps with memorization, timing, and delivery. Pay attention to your pacing, tone, and body language.

Additional Tips:

Be Authentic: Write from the heart. Your sincerity will resonate more than any elaborate words. Keep It Appropriate: Tailor your speech to the audience and the occasion, ensuring it’s respectful and considerate. Use Quotes or Poems: Sometimes, including a quote or a short poem can add depth and emotional impact to your speech.

Tips for Delivering a Tribute Speech

Practice Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with your speech through repeated practice. This helps reduce nervousness and ensures a smoother delivery.
Speak from the Heart: Authenticity resonates. Speak sincerely about your feelings and experiences related to the honoree. Authentic emotion is compelling and engaging.
Maintain Eye Contact: Make eye contact with your audience to create a connection. This helps convey your sincerity and enhances the impact of your words.
Use Notes Sparingly: If you use notes, glance at them briefly to jog your memory, but try to keep your attention on the audience. Over-reliance on notes can disconnect you from the emotional depth of your speech.
Control Your Pace: Nervousness can lead to speaking too quickly, which might make it hard for your audience to follow. Practice pacing your speech so it’s easy to listen to and digest.
Pause for Emphasis: Use pauses strategically to let important points sink in or to compose yourself if you become emotional. Pauses can be powerful in adding weight to your message.
Use an Appropriate Tone: The tone of your speech should match the occasion and the personality of the honoree. Whether it’s solemn, celebratory, or humorous, ensure it’s appropriate.
Manage Emotions: It’s okay to show emotion, as it underscores the sincerity of your tribute. However, if you’re worried about becoming too overwhelmed, find techniques to compose yourself, like focusing on a spot in the room or taking deep breaths.
Personalize Your Delivery: Include personal anecdotes or traits of the honoree that you admire. This personal touch can make your speech more relatable and memorable.
Conclude Strongly: End your speech with a powerful statement or a call to action inspired by the honoree’s life and achievements. This leaves your audience with a lasting impression.
Rehearse with Feedback: Practice your speech in front of friends or family members who can provide constructive feedback. This can help you refine your delivery and content.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected: Sometimes emotions can catch you by surprise, or the audience might react in ways you didn’t anticipate. Be prepared to adapt and continue gracefully.

10+ Tribute Speech Samples

Tribute Speech for Teachers
Tribute Speech for Parents
Tribute Speech for Mother
Tribute Speech for Father
Tribute Speech for Grandmother
Tribute Speech for a Friend
Tribute Speech to Dad From Daughter
Tribute Speech to a Famous Person
Tribute Speech to a Dead Person
Tribute Speech on Funeral

14+ Tribute Speech Examples

Free Download

Tribute Speech for Famous Person

Tribute Speech for a Funeral

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Short Tribute Speech

Parent Tribute Speech

Tribute Speech Sample

Example Tribute Speech

If you still having trouble in giving speech, you can get more ideas in our self-introduction speech example here.

Tribute Speech Outline

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Free Tribute Speech

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Tribute Speech By The Leader Of The House

The Impact of Tribute Speeches

Emotional Healing: Tribute speeches can offer comfort and emotional healing to those grieving by celebrating the life and accomplishments of the deceased, helping to focus on positive memories and legacies.
Increased Appreciation: They heighten the audience’s appreciation for the honoree’s contributions, achievements, and character, often revealing aspects of their life and work that were not widely known.
Preservation of Legacy: Tribute speeches serve to preserve and honor the legacy of an individual, ensuring that their contributions and values are remembered and passed down through generations.
Motivation and Inspiration: Hearing about the challenges overcome and achievements made by the honoree can motivate and inspire others to pursue their own goals with greater determination and passion.
Strengthened Community Bonds: They can strengthen bonds within a community or organization by bringing people together to celebrate and reflect on the values and achievements of one of their own.
Public Recognition: Tribute speeches provide a platform for public acknowledgment of an individual’s contributions, offering a sense of validation and recognition for their hard work and dedication.
Encouragement of Similar Values: By highlighting the honoree’s virtues, tribute speeches can encourage others to emulate similar values in their own lives, such as kindness, perseverance, and excellence.
Catharsis for the Speaker: The process of writing and delivering a tribute speech can offer a cathartic experience for the speaker, allowing them to process their feelings and articulate their admiration or love.
Enhanced Historical Record: These speeches can enhance the historical record of an individual’s contributions, especially in cases where their work has had a significant impact on society or a specific field.
Promotion of Unity: In moments of collective grief or celebration, tribute speeches can promote a sense of unity and shared purpose among those in attendance.
Cultural and Social Reflection: They reflect the cultural and social values of the time, providing insight into what a community or society values in its members.
Educational Impact: Tribute speeches can have an educational impact, teaching the audience about the honoree’s field of work, their approach to challenges, and the impact of their achievements.

Purpose of Tribute Speech

To Honor: The primary purpose is to pay homage to the person being recognized, acknowledging their contributions, achievements, and the positive impact they have made on others.
To Celebrate: Tribute speeches are used to celebrate milestones, such as retirements, birthdays, or significant achievements, highlighting the reasons these milestones are noteworthy.
To Inspire: By sharing stories of the honoree’s challenges, perseverance, and successes, a tribute speech can inspire others to strive for excellence and pursue their goals with determination.
To Express Gratitude: It’s an opportunity to thank the individual for their contributions, whether to a community, an organization, or in a personal capacity, acknowledging their efforts and the difference they’ve made.
To Educate: Through detailing the honoree’s life, work, and philosophy, the speech can educate the audience about values such as resilience, dedication, and compassion, and about the honoree’s field of work or influence.
To Reflect: It allows the speaker and the audience to reflect on the qualities and actions that make the honoree’s life exemplary and how these can influence their own lives.
To Preserve Memory: In cases of posthumous tributes, the speech serves to preserve the memory of the deceased, ensuring their legacy continues to be remembered and celebrated by future generations.
To Connect: A tribute speech can foster a sense of connection among the audience, uniting them in their shared admiration or affection for the honoree, and in shared values or experiences.
To Heal: Particularly in memorial services, tribute speeches can offer comfort and healing by celebrating the life of the deceased, providing solace through remembrance and shared grief.
To Motivate: By highlighting the honoree’s contributions and achievements, the speech can motivate others to contribute positively to their communities or fields of work, encouraging them to make a difference.

Occasions That Call for a Tribute Speech

A tribute speech is common in funerals and memorial services. However, a tribute speech can be given at various occasions.

1. Reunions

A thank you speech can be given to honor the senior member of a family in a family reunion. In class reunion or other forms of reunion, a tribute speech is given to a person who has achieved a lot in his/her life.

2. Anniversaries

A tribute speech is given to the one celebrating an anniversary or this could be a celebration marking a historic event such as a day to remember the passing of a famous person. You may also like thank-you speech examples & samples .

This could be a tribute speech that is given by the award recipient to commemorates the person who influences him/her or a tribute speech that is given to the one who receives the award that will honor his/her achievements. You may also see presentation speech examples & samples .

4. Weddings

In wedding celebrations, although it could be a wedding speech , the speeches made by the parents of the couple can be all forms of a tribute of speech too.

5. Retirement

A tribute of speech is given to the retiree to honor and acknowledges his/her contribution and service.

How Do You Start a Tribute Message?

Begin a tribute message with a personal greeting or a poignant quote, followed by an introduction that sets the tone, such as expressing the significance of the person being honored and your relationship to them.

What Is the Central Idea of a Tribute Speech?

The central idea of a tribute speech revolves around celebrating, honoring, and remembering the life, achievements, and influence of an individual. It’s about acknowledging their contributions and expressing gratitude and respect.

How to Start a Speech?

Start a speech with a powerful opening that captures the audience’s attention, such as an intriguing question, a surprising fact, a relatable anecdote, or a compelling quote that ties into your speech’s main theme.

How Do You Write a Heart-Touching Tribute?

To write a heart-touching tribute, share personal stories and anecdotes that highlight the honoree’s virtues, impact, and the memories you shared. Use sincere and emotive language to express your admiration and gratitude deeply.

How Do You Write a Short Tribute Speech?

A short tribute speech should concisely highlight the individual’s key achievements, character traits, and impact on others. Begin with a brief introduction, include memorable anecdotes, and conclude with a heartfelt expression of gratitude or respect.

What Type of Speech Is a Tribute?

A tribute speech is a ceremonial speech that honors and commemorates the life and contributions of an individual. It is characterized by its focus on praising, remembering, and expressing admiration and gratitude towards the person being honored.

In conclusion , a tribute speech is a powerful way to honor and remember someone who has made a significant impact. It allows us to express our admiration, gratitude, and love, ensuring their legacy endures in the hearts of all who listen.

Tribute Speech Generator

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Overcoming Nerves: Delivering a Tribute Speech with Confidence

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Tribute Speech: Honoring Achievements with Words

Choosing the Right Tone for Your Tribute Speech

Tribute Speech Topics, Outline, And Examples

A tribute speech is a type of commemorative speech that is typically given to honor someone else. The focus of a tribute speech is to highlight the positive attributes and accomplishments of the person, institution, event, idea, or place being honored.

Tribute speeches often make use of personal anecdotes and stories of hope, trust, kindness, courage, wisdom, success, dignity, loyalty, camaraderie, and tradition in order to paint a more complete picture of the individual or subject being celebrated.

When to deliver a tribute speech?

There are many different occasions that may call for a tribute speech. Some examples include:

Retirement : A retirement speech is a tribute to the retiree’s years of hard work and dedication. It is an opportunity to look back on all that has been accomplished and to wish the retiree all the best in their future endeavors.
Wedding : Wedding toasts are another type of tribute speech, given in honor of the newlyweds. The focus of a wedding toast is usually on wishing the couple a long and happy life together.
Funeral or memorial services : A eulogy is a tribute speech that is given in honor of someone who has passed away. The focus of a memorial tribute speech is usually on celebrating the life of the individual and remembering them fondly.
Reunion : A reunion speech is a tribute to the past, present, and future of the group being honored. It is an opportunity to look back on all that has been accomplished and to look forward to all that will be accomplished in the future.
Anniversaries : An anniversary tribute speech is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the individual or group being honored and to look forward to the future.
Award ceremony : An award tribute speech is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the individual or group being honored and to thank them for their contributions.

Characteristics of a tribute speech

There are certain characteristics that make for an effective tribute speech. Some of these include-

It is sincere and honest : The tribute should be coming from a place of honest admiration and respect. It shouldn’t be overly flowery or insincere. It should also use proper language. This means avoiding profanity and using terms that everyone in the audience will understand.
It is well-prepared : A tribute speech that has been carefully prepared will usually be more effective than one that is off-the-cuff. This doesn’t mean that it has to be written out word for word, but it should be well-organized and thought out.
It is personal : A tribute speech that is personal and anecdotes will usually be more effective than one that is purely factual. This is because it will help the audience to connect with the person being tributed and understand why they are being tributed.
It is appropriate for the occasion : The tribute speech should be appropriate for the occasion. For example, if it is a tribute speech for a funeral, it should be more serious in tone than if it is for a retirement party.
It is within the time limit : Tribute speeches should usually be between 5 and 10 minutes long. This is because if they are too long, the audience will start to lose interest.

How to write a tribute speech?

When writing a tribute speech, it is important to choose a topic that is significant and meaningful to you. The tribute should also be well-organized and coherent, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Here are some trips tips for writing an effective tribute speech:

Start by brainstorming a list of people, things that you admire, and why you admire them. This will help you to narrow down your topic.
Choose a topic that is significant and meaningful to you. This will make it easier to write from a place of sincerity and honesty.
Write an outline of your tribute speech. This will help you to organize your thoughts and make sure that your tribute is coherent.
Write in a clear and concise manner. Avoid using flowery or overly complicated language. Use terms that everyone in the audience will understand.
Keep within the time limit. Tribute speeches should usually be between 5 and 10 minutes long.
Practice delivering your tribute speech. This will help you to ensure that you are loud enough for the audience to hear, clear, and with proper enunciation.

Outline for writing an effective tribute speech

Here is a tribute speech outline that you can use as a guide when preparing your own tribute speech:

Introduction

Introduce the person or thing that you are tributing to.
Provide background information about the person or thing being tributed.
Explain why you admire the person or thing being tributed.
Describe the qualities that you admire about the person or thing being tributed.
Give examples of how the person or thing has positively affected your life.
Share a personal story about the person or thing being tributed.
Summarize why the person or thing being tributed is significant and important to you.
Thank the audience for listening.

Famous tribute speeches and examples from history

There are many famous tribute speeches in history. Here are a few you could get inspired from:

“I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. : This speech was given during the Civil Rights Movement where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about his dream for a future where all people would be treated equally, regardless of skin color.
“The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln : In this speech, Abraham Lincoln spoke about the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. He also spoke about the importance of preserving democracy.
“Inaugural Address” by John F. Kennedy : In this tribute speech, John F. Kennedy spoke about the need for Americans to work together to achieve their goals.
“9/11 Address to the Nation” by George W. Bush : In this famous tribute speech, George W. Bush spoke about the terrorist attacks of September 11th and the need for Americans to unite in the face of adversity.
“We Shall Overcome” by Barack Obama : In this famous tribute speech, Barack Obama spoke about the importance of hope and resilience in the face of challenges.

Tribute speech topics & ideas

Here are 20+ tribute speech topics and ideas;

1. Your favorite teacher

2. Your parents

3. A friend or family member who has passed away

4. A soldier who has served in the military

5. A first responder who has risked his life to save others

6. A person who has made a significant contribution to your community

7. A person who has inspired you

8. A historical figure that you admire

9. A mentor who has helped you in your life

10. An athlete who has achieved greatness

11. A person who has overcome adversity

12. A person who has made a significant impact on the world

13. A person who has shown courage in the face of challenges

14. A person who has demonstrated compassion for others

15. A person who has fought for justice

16. A couple who stayed together through thick and thin

17. A person who has inspired others to be their best selves

18. A friend who has always been there for you

19. A person who has brought happiness into your life

20. Your favorite pet

Tribute speech guide

- how to prepare a sincere commemorative speech.

By: Susan Dugdale | Last modified: 04-18-2021

A tribute speech belongs in a special category of speeches called commemorative. Its principal purpose is to inspire and celebrate; uniting listeners in sincere, heartfelt gratitude and admiration for its subject.

Have you been asked to prepare a tribute speech and need to know more?

What you'll find on this page

what occasions are most likely to call for a tribute speech
the characteristics of a tribute speech
how to begin the process of writing a tribute speech
how to choose a topic
information about eulogies or funeral speeches, (a special type of tribute speech), with links to examples.

Image: Hands cupping a lit ceremonial candle. Text: How to prepare a tribute speech

What occasions call for a tribute speech?

A tribute speech may be delivered at any of the following celebrations:

Anniversaries

Image: Remembrance Day crosses with red poppies. Text: Remembrance Day - an example of an event often marked by a tribute speech.

These may be family events for example; a 50th wedding anniversary or a milestone birthday , or they could be public ones, for example; celebrations marking historic events like Remembrance Day or, the passing of a famous person.

At a family reunion this form of speech may be given to honor its senior members.

Similarly it will be an important part of the reunions of people brought together by work, sport, interests or vocation.

Memorial services or funerals

Image: 1940s photo of a young woman, with a dried rose. Text: A eulogy is a form of tribute speech.

The eulogy you hear at a memorial service or funeral is a special type of tribute speech celebrating the life of the person who has passed away.

A tribute speech at an award presentation will honor the achievements of the award recipients. For example film, music or sports awards.

Although thought of as 'wedding speeches', the best man, father-of-the-bride speeches and their variations, are all forms of tribute speeches.

Retirements

The tribute speech heard at a retirement celebration honors the retiree by acknowledging their service and contribution.

The characteristics of the speech

Whether the focus is a person, or an event involving a group of people, its characteristics are:

admiration and respect
a focus on positive qualities: perseverance, dedication, humility, compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty, sacrifice, service, kindness, humor ...
highlighting accomplishments and the difficulties overcome to achieve them
a reflection on the positive impact and contribution of the focal group or person on the lives of others
grateful acknowledgment of what we can learn from their example to take into the future

How to begin writing a tribute speech

Image:Sign - girl saying shhhh. Text: Creativity in progress. How to write a speech.

The first step in your process is finding out as much as you can about the occasion itself and then deciding on a topic, (if it hasn't already been decided for you).

You'll want to know:

who the audience is
whether you are the only speaker, or one in a series of speakers
how long you expected to speak for
whether the event is formal or informal
if there are any special requirements the organizers may have that need to be included in your speech

How to choose a topic

Generally the occasion chooses it for you! If you're asked to speak at the celebration marking your Mother's 70th birthday or a similar event, then you know what the central topic is.

What you'll need to decide is how to handle it or what angle to take.

Get some help to find the right topic

Image: red field poppies. Text: Lest we forget.

If it's not clear what you should talk about, you'll find this page on how to select an inspiring tribute or commemorative speech topic helpful.

It walks you step by step through the process of finding a topic to suit your audience's needs and has a great selection of carefully picked links to help you research topic possibilities.

Get some help with planning and writing

There's a tribute speech template here that will be useful to help you plan the sections of your speech. Use it as a guide.

(On the same page is a speech I wrote to honor my Mother. It follows the template.)

Image: purple flag irises. Text: a tribute speech for my mother Iris.

Or if you'd like more than an outline to help you, you'll find the entire process of writing a speech mapped out step by step here: how to write a speech .

Are you here because you need to prepare a eulogy?

Image: Lily of the valley flowers. Text: How to write a eulogy step by step.

These links below will guide you through the process:

How to write a eulogy Step by step guidance for preparing, writing and delivering a eulogy with a free printable eulogy planner.
And if you'd like to include a special verse or quotation browse these pages of funeral poems and inspirational quotations .

Would you like to read a sample eulogy before you begin?

Reading others can be really useful in helping you decide what you want to achieve with your own speech.

Well known tribute speeches

Here are three famous speeches, each illustrating the characteristics of a fine commemorative speech.

Image: Launch of space shuttle Challenger - 4th April 1983.

Ronald Reagan's tribute for the crew of the Challenger Space Shuttle that exploded during its launch.
Sen. Edward Kennedy's eulogy for his slain brother: Robert F. Kennedy .
Oprah Winfrey's eulogy for Rosa Parks .

Not-so well known tribute speeches

I am very fortunate to have a collection of not-so famous tribute speeches on write-out-loud.com.

These are very special because they're by people probably similar to yourself who have been asked to write a speech about someone they've loved dearly.

Image: Blue forget-me-nots Text: 50+ eulogy examples

There are eulogies for mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, colleagues, and friends.

All of them have been sent in to provide examples to help people who are trying to write. Seeing how others have handled the task gives them the courage and confidence to begin.

These eulogy pages get thousands of visitors every week.

And lastly, here is that link to the commemorative speech for my mother.

Do you need help with preparing to deliver your speech?

You'll find everything you need to help you give your speech confidently by visiting the site map .

There's tips on making and using cue cards , how to overcome fear or anxiety of public speaking , how use your voice well , and more.

If you're struggling for words you may like this offer ...

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27 Tribute Speech: Celebrate the Occasion, the Person, or the Monument

A tribute is a type of celebratory speech that honors a person, a monument, a holiday, or an event.

Tribute to a Person

A tribute to a person typically includes one of these items:

Small descriptions so we can “see” the person in their element.
Stories of their deeds.
Stories of how the person affected others.
Funny or emotional moments.
The legacy that person is leaving.

Tribute to an Event or Occasion

Tributes to occasions can be any of the following:

Milestone Birthday, Retirement, Anniversary
Mother’s day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, D-Day
Race for the Cure, We Day
Family reunion, School reunion

Tributes to occasions typically include:

Emphasis on shared values
Appreciation for the people involved
Origin and evolution of the event
Stories of people related to the event
The larger context surrounding the event

Gather all the information

Who is the audience?
Are there other speakers?
What is the time limit?
Is this formal or informal?
Will there be a podium? microphone?

Brainstorming a Person

What life lessons did they teach you?
How are you different because of this person?
What are some of their favorite things?
What are their best qualities? Tell a story about that quality
What three words best describe this person?
What makes this person so great?
What is the funniest thing that you remember?
What is this person known for?
What are some sayings—one-liners—they are known for?
What is something simple that they do that demonstrates their character?
What is unique about her lifestyle or behavior?
What is a special gift that they gave you and why is it so special?
What does this person do for fun?
What does he do when he is stressed?
What adventure have you shared with this person?
What’s a story that everyone tells about this person?
What helpful advice has this person given you?
Every time you see a ______, you’ll think of ____ because ———
Look through a photo album—what one or two pictures tell about them ?
What smell do you associate with this person

Make Everyone Feel Included

Notice how this speaker invites all listeners to be part of the memorial.

I stand here today to pay tribute to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bombing Memorial in Oklahoma City.

This memorial represents the honor and strength as well as all the pain of every person who remembers that historical day.

It has helped an immense number of people to cope with this national tragedy

It is a place of reflection, emotion, and healing.

In this excerpt, Drew speaks to all those who are present at the Doolittle Raider reunion (A reunion of men who in 1942 led the first attack after the bombing of Pearl Harbor)

Each of us in this room has our own memories of growing up with these men and the reasons why they are so special to us . For these men, it is an everyday occurrence that someone thanks them for their service to their country and what they did 65 years ago. So today is my pleasure to share with you the reason why these men are my heroes and why one of them impractically means the world to me.

I hope each of you will always remember the little things these men have done for you. L.M. Heroux once said “heroism is not just pulling a child from a burning house or a driver from an icy river or a kitten from a tall tree. Heroism is also holding the door for a frail elderly and driving courteously and cooperatively and listening with an attentive heart to a friend’s words. Small daily acts of love are as heroic as big once-in-a-lifetime acts of rescue.”

In this tribute to his teacher, “the greatest swing pusher” Hosea Born reminds the group of a common thing, finding your name on the desk.

Walking into a new teacher’s classroom is terrifying. We have all been there. You remember. Finding your desk with your name on it. My name tag was an apple. Tribute to the best swing pusher.

Magnify the Small Things

Caitlyn Steiner wrote a tribute speech about the love her grandparent have for each other. Notice how she uses the little things to demonstrate love.

Love appreciates the smallest details the most. My grandpa still puts the toothpaste on both their toothbrushes every morning. My grandma still hangs a towel on the rack for my grandpa every day after he gets in the shower. And they still slow dance together every night in the living room before they go to bed.

In this example, Fawn Kurtzo gives a birthday tribute to her brother Buck. As you read this manuscript excerpt, I want to draw your attention to the fact that each line is a story for those who know him.

We are gathered here today to celebrate another year in the life of Buck. Congratulations Buck? Who am I kidding, CONGRATULATIONS US! We all survived another year of 10,000 questions why, mental duels, being outshot with bullets and arrows, countless times of side-splitting laughs as he carried the life of the party // begin terribly humiliated in a game of dominoes // and just flat being outlasted by this kid!

Celebrate Don’t Inform

People in the audience may not know the person you are celebrating. Resist the temptation to give an informative speech about your person, that is the equivalent of reading someone’s Wikipedia biography–boring. Instead, pick a few things about them to celebrate.

In this tribute to his hometown dirt roads, Nathan Brock’s speech is a good example. He tells us the facts without sounding like an informative speech, I kept this sample in a manuscript format so you could see the emphasis and the rhythm. When you see /// it means to pause.

So, here’s to you, dirt roads

the defining feature of my hometown.

Here’s to you, dirt roads, /// the place of my upbringing in middle-of-nowhere America.

Pawnee , Oklahoma is a town with many dirt roads

A town with a population of 2,136//

It felt like less.

When Googling “living in Pawnee, Oklahoma” one can find a list of pros and cons

Pros include “cost-of-living”

Cons include “unattractive setting

That is where you came in, dirt roads.

Describe the situation or person in vivid detail so we can see the person in their element. Jeremy Stuthard gave a tribute to his Grandma and said they were “Two peas in a pod.” Notice how in one sentence you get a sense of grandma’s humor and personality. from only one line, “I remember when you dumped a whole bucket of water on me, to wake me up, just to have me help you with your TV.” In another example, Patience Beard describes cooking with her grandma, “Nana ALWAYS let me lick the spoon. We would make icing all from scratch she would turn that mixer on and it would never fail– icing would fly everywhere and her laugh …….would echo through the whole room.” In each example, you can “see” the interaction in your mind. The speaker didn’t tell you that his grandma was a trickster, he showed you that. Patience didn’t tell you her grandma cooked for her, she “showed” you that she did.

Teach Little Lesson in the Small Things

In tribute speeches, the little things are often the big things. What I mean by that is you can tell a story that appears to be a simple story but it is really about something deeper. In this speech, Brittany Brunson is telling the story about riding in her dad’s lap, but really it is a metaphor for their relationship. I kept this in manuscript form so you couldn’t get a feel for how she intended it to be heard.

I don’t remember much from the age of 7// But I do remember getting to sit on my dad’s lap and driving down the alley. I couldn’t reach the pedals // so my dad was in charge of those// Although I thought I was in charge of the wheel// My dad had ultimate control because if I ever got to close to the wall of the alleyway // my dad would steer me right back to the center. Ironically, I never got in big trouble growing up // except for maybe prank calling the police one time…………. but anyways// I never got in big trouble growing up because if I ever got close to that barrier of bad choices /// my dad //steered me right back to the center. Although I thought I had control of the wheel of my life ultimately my dad guided me on to the right path // that led me to hold myself to a higher standard // and stand firm in my beliefs.

Tell Stories

Watch How Kevin Durant turns his most valuable player award acceptance speech into a tribute to his mother calling her the real MVP. Telling stories that highlight personal stories with the person you are giving tributing can be very powerful.

In this tribute speech to her father, she tells a story of how a Jewish man and a Muslim man can transcend boundaries and become friends.

Yamani, N. (2015). A Tribute to My Father. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdRCNuBcAWQ

Tribute Speech at We Day

We Day was an annual series of stadium-sized youth empowerment events organized by We Charity, a Canadian charity founded by brothers Marc and Craig Kielburger. WE Day events host tens of thousands of students and celebrate the effect they have made on local and global issues.

Sadhguru (2020). A Tribute to All Healthcare Workers

Notice how Tom Hanks makes specific references to parts from the Star Wars movie in his tribute to George Lucas. His references are things that everyone has in common.

American Film Institute. (2009). Tom Hanks Salutes George Lucas at the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Trump, D. (2018). President Donald Trump Full Speech: Honors 9/11 Victims at Shanksville Memorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02YA6Nz70MA

Tribute to Famous Person

When giving a tribute to a famous person that you do not know personally, it is important to resist giving a biographical speech. Instead, you should talk about how that person influenced you in some way. The story of them becomes the story of you and them.

In his tribute to Stan Leee, David Lester wrote,

One of my earliest experiences with his work, is through his comics. When my mom would take forever shopping in Walmart, I would fly to the magazine section find those comic books and my time——– just——— evaporated .

Later he mentions the relationship again

The first Marvel movie I remember seeing saw was IRON MAN. I remember seeing Robert Downey Jr. beat up terrorists and change the way we see superheroes, not as just statues but as complex people like us.

In his conclusion, he brings it around to impact on all of us

BUT Do you wanna know who Stan thought the real superheroes were? It’s not the ones we talk about all the time. It’s not the ones that are played by Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, and Chris Hemsworth. NO! It’s us, the fans. We were the heroes all along. Looking out for each other. Supporting people around us who needed it the most. Protecting others from harm. Standing as examples for our community for what we can become. Doing more than the average man would do. That one person can make a difference. That you don’t need a cape just to be a hero. He brought us together. He did all of this.

Tribute to a Reunion by Drew

Today it is my honor to have been asked to speak at the Doolittle Raider of Reunion. As many we all know on April 18th 1942, 80 brave men flew on the first ever joint mission of the Navy and Air Force Reserves to give the United States its first attack on Japanese main land after Pearl Harbor. 600 miles off the shore of Japanese mainland the USS Hornet was spotted by a fishing boat. General Doolittle ordered the men to launch early causing the men not to have enough fuel to make it to unoccupied China as planned. All, but one of the 16 planes either crashed landed or the crew bailed out. Eight men were taken prisoners of war, but only four came home. These four men endured 40 months of being malnourished and tortured.

Of those four men, I have the greatest honor of calling my great-grandfather. For those who do not know these men on a personal level they are heroes for the actions taken on that day 65 years ago, but for those of us who have the honor on knowing these men personally they are heroes for so many other reason.

These men are our fathers, grandfathers and even great-grandfathers.

These men have been and will be apart of our lives in ways that go far beyond the Tokyo Raid.

These men are the crews that have made sure our families lives were on the right path.

Most of you know him as Lt. Col. Robert L Hite, but to me he is Bobby Hite. My great-grandfather is like the parachute he used to bail out of his plane that day. He has guided our family through the years making sure we reached the ground safely. He has done everything from slipping me a few dollars for a college student to taking us to lunch ever Saturday. As a child I can remember waiting on Saturdays for that special honk he had to inform us he was there.

I remember when my Uncle got married, I was so upset because I was going to ruin my perfect attendance record if I came to Fort Smith with my parents. Bobby Hite hating to see me so upset told my parents that he and nanny would wait for me to get out of school on Friday and drive me up because that’s what would make me happy.

The times he gave his “driving lessons”, told stories of when he managed the Camden Hotel and of course waiting every Christmas morning for nanny and him to arrive before we could see what Santa had brought are all memories that mean the world to me and my two brothers.

Each of us in this room has our own memories of growing up with these men and reasons why they are so special to us. For these men, it is an everyday occurrence that someone thanks them for their service to their country and what they did 65 years ago. So today is my pleasure to share with you the reason why these men are my heroes and why one of them impractically means the world to me.

Key Takeaways

Spend a lot of time brainstorming, reflecting, researching, and talking to others before you begin to write.
Write in a manuscript format.
Structure your speech so your audience feels like they are part of something.
Celebrate the person’s accomplishments and don’t make it an informative speech about them.
Tells stories when possible.
Try incorporating colorful language: Simile, metaphor, antithesis, alliteration, parallel construction.
Consider using a theme that fits the person or the situation.

Durant, K. (2014). 2013-14 NBA Most Valuable player acceptance speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GTiCUPZ9kw&t=32 9s

Lester, D. Tribute to Stan Lee. University of Arkansas Advanced Public Speaking.

Waln, F. (2017). Inspirational Native American Grank Walkn tells his story at WE Day! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2SE-19WqS8 Standard YouTube License.

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If you need to make a tribute to a special person -- whether it's a speech or a written message -- you'll need to capture what makes that person memorable in just a few words. No small task, but here are some suggestions to help.

View from behind a man giving a special tribute at a social function.

The most common tributes you have heard are probably award or distinguished service presentations. Alas, many are seriously in need of editing as a speaker prattles on endlessly, listing way too much minutiae to hold the audience's attention.

Such talks differ from toasts in that the tribute speech is longer and more elaborate. And they differ from roasts because roasts are supposed to be humorous and poke fun at the honored person. By contrast, a tribute speech is usually more serious, heartfelt in tone and personal.

Another common error in such talks is spending too much time flattering one or two important people in the audience when the focus is supposed to be on the honoree.

So, a word to the wise: edit with your audience in mind so you'll be able to hold their attention.

Key questions in planning your tribute

When you are making an honorary speech, you should include material that is both general and specific:

general in telling what a person means to others or to an organization;
specific in sharing unique experiences you have shared or lessons you have learned with the person in the spotlight.

Who is my audience and what is their relationship to the honoree?
In general terms, what has the honoree done for these people or this place?
What one instance or situation describes what this person has done for others?
What does the audience not know about this person?
What is one instance or situation that only you know about describes this person’s character?
If you had to describe this person to a stranger, what would you say?
When, if ever, did this person do something that made you laugh?
What quote or well-known saying applies to this person?

If you can answer those eight questions, you have the outline for a classic speech.

If you want a truly special tribute, consider asking a lyrics writer to compose a song tailored to the person and the occasion.

Practice your remarks with your audience in mind

Now that you've got the general topics, it's time to polish before you stand and deliver.

Let your own personality show. Be energetic and lively but also be comfortable with your own style. You don't want to be rigid. And you're probably not an actor or million-dollar speaker; you're a friend who knows this person well enough to say something meaningful on the special occasion.

Pay attention to the flow. Shift the topics around to lead your listeners from one point to the next in a way that is comfortable for you.

Plan your opening line carefully. You only have a few seconds to make your listeners want to pay attention to what you have to say. If someone introduces you, it's okay to say a brief Thank you . (But don't let yourself get carried away with wordiness.) Then follow with an interesting statement or fact about the person that might not be generally known. Or, start with a story of something the person did that shows what makes them special.

To see some examples of effective opening sentences, check out the honorary degree citations given by Boston University during commencement of 2018.

Tell one or two stories.

For tips on storytelling, check out the Public Words blog by Nick Morgan which features a number of posts on how to tell a story . And if you need a story to illustrate a particular point, check out our anecdotes for your stories page.

Get a zinger of a closing.

You might tie back to your opening story or observation. Or you could repeat some phrase that you used to tie your speech together. Or end with some all-encompassing summary of how great the honored person really is.

If you need specific ideas, check out this advice on the Six Minutes blog.

Practice . Your speech will be authentic when you know your material so well that your delivery is like a conversation -- not a rehearsed presentation. If you are using a script (but DON"T READ IT), underline your points of emphasis and put in an elipsis (. . .) in places you need to pause for effect. Those marks will remind you of timing cues so that you deliver your comments with more impact.

Follow these tips and your tribute will be memorable and well suited to your special occasion.

You might like these

Sample tribute to a special volunteer.

Writing a tribute to honor someone who has made a remakable contribution or accomplished something extraordinary to improve a community is an honor. This page gives you an example of a sample tribute with an outline you can use to make your own speech.

Mothers Day Tribute

Wisdom and wise sayings from mother for a Mother's Day tribute or a Mothers Day card

More Momisms

Momisms -- the things your mother always told you to do, to be or to become.

Celebration Speeches The perfect tribute Tribute to a special volunteer Checklist for speaker s Conquer your fear Yo ur retirement speech Honoring a retiree Toast tips

Helping you shine when the spotlight is on you.

Commemorative Speech Writing Guide: Outline & Topics for 2024

As a professional copywriting journalist, I have witnessed the power of a well-crafted commemorative speech . Whether it’s honoring a loved one, celebrating a significant milestone, or paying tribute to a historical event, a commemorative speech has the ability to evoke emotions and create a memorable moment.

If you’re tasked with writing a commemorative speech , it can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What should you say? How do you ensure your speech leaves a lasting impact on the audience?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

In this article, I’ll provide a comprehensive guide to writing a commemorative speech that will leave a lasting impact on your audience. I’ll provide an outline, suggested topics for 2024, famous examples, and tips for delivering your speech with confidence.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

Learn how to write a powerful commemorative speech.
Get inspiration from sample topics and famous examples.
Utilize tips for delivering an impactful speech.

What is a Commemorative Speech?

Oh, you want to learn about commemorative speeches? Well, buckle up, my friend, because I’m about to take you on a journey through the ins and outs of this awe-inspiring form of oratory.

First things first, what exactly is a commemorative speech? In its essence, a commemorative speech is a way to honor and remember a person, event, or significant milestone. It’s a chance to reflect on the impact that this person or event has had on our lives, and to celebrate their legacy.

But you know what really sets commemorative speeches apart from other types of speeches? Emotion. That’s right, folks – a good commemorative speech should make you feel things. Whether it’s happiness, sadness, admiration, or inspiration, the goal is to evoke a strong emotional response from the audience.

So, why bother with all this emotional stuff? Well, because emotions are what make us human. They’re what connect us to each other, and to the world around us. And when we’re talking about someone or something that has had a profound impact on our lives, emotions are the natural result.

So, next time you’re tasked with delivering a commemorative speech, remember this: it’s not just about relaying information or making a case. It’s about creating a powerful, emotional connection with your audience, and honoring the subject in a way that truly does justice to their legacy.

Crafting a Memorable Commemorative Speech

Writing a commemorative speech can seem like a daunting task, but fear not! With my expert guidance, you’ll be crafting a memorable address in no time.

First and foremost, thorough research is key. Gather as much information as possible about the person, event, or milestone you’re honoring. This will help you develop a deep understanding of the subject matter and allow you to bring a unique perspective to your speech.

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to structure your speech. Start with an attention-grabbing introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the address. Next, provide some background information about the subject matter, highlighting key moments or achievements.

Personal anecdotes are the heart and soul of a commemorative speech. Use them to connect with your audience on an emotional level and evoke feelings of nostalgia or inspiration. Don’t be afraid to get vulnerable or inject some humor into your speech, as long as it’s appropriate for the occasion.

Reflection is also an important component of a well-crafted commemorative speech. Use this time to put the subject matter into perspective and express gratitude or reverence. Finally, wrap up your speech with a powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on your audience.

Of course, language and storytelling techniques are also critical to the success of a commemorative speech. Use powerful imagery and metaphors to captivate your audience, and vary your sentence structure to maintain their interest.

As you write your speech, remember that authenticity is key. Don’t try to emulate someone else’s style or use language that doesn’t feel natural to you. Your audience will appreciate your honesty and the personal touch you bring to your speech.

Now that you have a better idea of how to write a commemorative speech , it’s time to get started! Remember to stay true to yourself and the subject matter, and you’ll deliver a powerful, memorable address that honors and inspires.

Commemorative Speech Outline

Writing a commemorative speech can seem like a daunting task, but with the right framework, it can be a breeze. Here’s an outline that you can use, customize, and make your own:

Remember, this outline is just a guide. Feel free to add or subtract sections as necessary, and customize each section to fit your needs. The key is to make the speech personal, engaging, and impactful.

Commemorative Speech Outline.

If you’re struggling to come up with your own outline, you can always use this template:

Introduction
Opening sentence or quote
Background information about the occasion or person being honored
Storytelling
Personal anecdote or story about the subject
Relevant details and context to give the story meaning
Impact on Society
How the subject has changed the world, society, or history
Examples of their impact and significance
Your personal thoughts, emotions, and reflections on the subject
The lessons we can learn from the subject and their legacy
A memorable statement that ties together the themes of the speech and leaves a lasting impact on the audience.

Whichever outline you choose, remember to have fun and be creative!

Famous Commemorative Speeches

As a copywriting journalist, I’ve had the pleasure of analyzing some of the most powerful speeches in history. When it comes to commemorative speeches, a few examples have stood the test of time and remain iconic to this day. These speeches are not only memorable but have also left an indelible impact on society. Here are a few examples:

Each of these speeches has a unique approach and style, yet they all manage to capture the essence of the occasion and leave a lasting impact on the audience. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is a classic example of how a speechwriter can use inspiring language and repetition to create a memorable message. Ronald Reagan’s “Challenger Disaster” speech, delivered after the tragic event, is another example of how a speech can provide comfort and hope in times of distress. Finally, Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning,” recited at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration, showcases the power of poetry in evoking emotions and inspiring change.

Lessons from Famous Commemorative Speeches

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

These speeches have a lot to teach us about the craft of speechwriting. From Martin Luther King Jr.’s use of metaphors, to Ronald Reagan’s poignant storytelling, to Maya Angelou’s musicality of language, each of these speeches is a masterclass in the art of public speaking. They show us that a commemorative speech should not only honor the past but also inspire a better future.

Use powerful language and storytelling to evoke emotions.
Connect with the audience on a personal level.
Highlight positive aspects and provide hope for the future.
End with a memorable phrase or call to action.

These are just a few of the lessons we can learn from studying famous commemorative speeches . By applying these techniques, we can create speeches that not only honor and remember the past but also inspire and motivate the future.

Tips for Delivering a Commemorative Speech

So, you’ve written a killer commemorative speech and now it’s time to deliver it to the masses. Don’t panic, my friend! With these tips, you’ll knock your audience’s socks off and leave them wanting more.

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse: Practice makes perfect, and it’s essential to delivering a polished speech. Try reciting your speech in front of a mirror, friends, or family to get comfortable and identify areas for improvement.
Authenticity is key: Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Stay true to yourself and your personal style, whether that means cracking some jokes or shedding a few tears.
Maintain eye contact: Look your audience in the eye and connect with them on a personal level. This will help establish trust and credibility while making your speech more engaging.
Use your body language: Your body language can convey just as much meaning as your words. Stand tall, use hand gestures, and move around the stage to keep your audience engaged.
Speak with purpose: Vary your tone, volume, and pace to emphasize key points and keep your audience engaged. Remember, you’re not just reading a script, you’re telling a story.
Convey genuine emotions: Don’t be afraid to show your emotions. Whether you’re happy, sad, or somewhere in between, let your audience feel what you’re feeling. This will help establish a meaningful connection with your listeners.

With these tips in your back pocket, you’re ready to deliver a commemorative speech that will be remembered for years to come. Break a leg!

Conclusion:

Well, fellow writers, we’ve come to the end of our commemorative speech writing guide. It’s been a journey filled with emotions, personal anecdotes, and impactful language. We’ve learned the importance of honoring and remembering significant moments in history and connecting with our audience on an emotional level.

Remember, a great commemorative speech doesn’t simply inform, it inspires. By following the outline we’ve provided, choosing one of the suggested topics, and incorporating our tips for delivering the speech effectively, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a masterpiece.

So go forth, dear friends, and leave your audiences in awe with your powerful and memorable commemorative speeches. Don’t forget to revisit some of the famous speeches we’ve discussed for inspiration, and most importantly, have fun with it. After all, writing speeches is a work of heart.

Q: What is a commemorative speech?

A: A commemorative speech is a speech given to honor and remember a person, event, or significant milestone. It serves to evoke emotions and create a lasting impact on the audience.

Q: How do I write a commemorative speech?

A: To write a commemorative speech, you should start by researching the subject and gathering relevant information. Then, structure your speech with an introduction, background information, personal anecdotes, reflection, and conclusion. Use impactful language and storytelling techniques to connect with the audience on an emotional level.

Q: Can you provide an outline for a commemorative speech?

A: Certainly! A sample outline for a commemorative speech could include: – Introduction: Grab the audience’s attention and provide a brief overview of the occasion. – Background information: Provide context about the person, event, or milestone being commemorated. – Personal anecdotes: Share stories or experiences that highlight the significance of the subject. – Reflection: Offer your thoughts and insights on the impact and legacy of the subject. – Conclusion: Wrap up the speech by summarizing key points and leaving a lasting impression.

Q: What are some suggested topics for commemorative speeches in 2024?

A: In 2024, some suggested topics for commemorative speeches could include current events, significant anniversaries, notable individuals, or any other subject that holds relevance and impact for the year. Choose a topic that resonates with you and allows you to craft a meaningful speech.

Q: Can you give examples of famous commemorative speeches?

A: Absolutely! Some examples of famous commemorative speeches include Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” Ronald Reagan’s “Challenger Disaster,” and Maya Angelou’s “On the Pulse of Morning.” These speeches are known for their memorable qualities and profound impact on society.

Q: What are some tips for delivering a commemorative speech?

A: When delivering a commemorative speech, it’s important to rehearse beforehand to ensure smooth delivery. Pay attention to your body language and vocal tone to convey authenticity and engage the audience. Connect with the emotions of the audience and convey genuine feelings. Remember, delivering a powerful commemorative speech is all about connecting with your audience and leaving a lasting impression.

Tribute Speech Examples To Inspire Your Next Celebration

A tribute speech honors an occasion, person, event, thing, or idea by recounting its significance. The content includes both facts and feelings. As these tribute speech examples show, the speaker might focus on a person’s best qualities and successes and then tell how they influenced the speaker and others.

Tribute speeches, also called commemorative speeches, are given in honor of someone. They are used for many occasions, and the tone changes depending on the event and where it is given. A graduation speech might have a somewhat serious tone, whereas a 50th-birthday speech could be more fun. Retirement speeches often involve some gentle ribbing by coworkers. The event and the person you are honoring determine the tone.

Table of Contents

What Is The Purpose Of A Tribute Speech?

A tribute speech honors someone through public speaking to those in attendance. The event can be anything from a milestone birthday to honoring a retiree. Usually, someone close to the individual is asked to enumerate their attributes through personal stories, quotes, or summarizing their life. Another common tactic is to talk about the positive impact the individual has had on others.

How Do You Start A Tribute Speech?

The first thing that needs to be done anytime you are speaking in front of a group is to introduce yourself and your connection to the event. When honoring your best friend as you pay tribute, tell those listening about your relationship.

Next, you want to hook the audience. There are different ways to do that. It could be by using a famous quote or a carefully chosen story. You may want to share why the special occasion is so important to everyone assembled to honor the honoree.

Some ideas for hooking the audience are:

Ask the audience a question that is sure to pull them in.
Describe your loved one using three words without connecting them at first. Then enumerate why these words are so accurate to describe that specific person.
Get the audience to laugh.
Guided visualization as you get the audience to imagine something you will describe.
Tell a great story.
Share a quote.

What is The Content Of A Tribute Speech?

The content of a tribute speech does depend on what type of speech you are giving.

Anniversary Parties: When a couple reaches a milestone anniversary, it is common to celebrate with friends and family members. Someone, either a child of the couple or perhaps a member of their wedding party all those years ago, may give a speech about the couple’s life together.
Birthday: The same is true of milestone birthdays . Family or friends assembled could simply offer a toast, but sometimes, a loved one is invited to say more than a few words. This is especially popular as individuals get up in age. Why wait until someone is gone to say wonderful things about them? Say it while they are living.

100th birthday deserves a birthday tribute speech

Memorial Service: A eulogy is a type of tribute speech given at a funeral or celebration of life. These usually either take a chronological approach to summarize the person’s life, or the speaker chooses a few stories depicting some aspects of their life.
Retirement Speech: When speaking at a retirement party, it is common to tell stories about their work life and work ethic. One could undoubtedly discuss personal traits that loop back to their employment as they leave that portion of life. Sometimes the speaker talks about their plans for the next stage of life, whether that is golf or gardening.

How Do You End It?

You can end a tribute speech in many different ways. If you have gone the chronological route, it will have a natural conclusion as you near the end of the story. For those linking some stories around a common theme, summarizing the theme is an excellent way to wrap things up.

Sometimes people end a speech with a quote as parting words. Reminding the audience why you are all assembled is another excellent tactic. For example, you could finish a retirement speech by saying, “Poor Ann. Like Chi Chi Rodriguez says, ‘When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income.’ But we know Ann and Robert will figure that out and enjoy their time together.”

How Long Should Your Tribute Speech Be?

Although there are no hard time limits on speeches like these, the commonly accepted practice is around 5 minutes. Most tribute speeches are roughly 4-6 minutes long. Rarely should a tribute speech extend to 10, so try to say everything you want to before that.

What Are Some Tribute Speech Examples?

Mom’s birthday.

Looking to write a tribute to Mom for her birthday? Consider these ideas:

Ask others to share wonderful qualities about your mother.
Describe some of your favorite memories.
List the things you love about Mom.
Thank your mom for the things she has done for you.

Parent’s 50th Anniversary

How about helping your parents to celebrate their 50th anniversary? How do you go about writing a tribute speech for them?

Interview people at the wedding and incorporate quotes from them into your speech.
Share your top memories of your parents loving one another unconditionally.
Talk about stories that make their marriage special.
Prepare a slideshow of milestone memories to accompany your speech.

Family Reunion

Getting a large family together is the perfect opportunity to create a tribute speech for the family.

Ask questions of the oldest family members to include some of their thoughts in your speech.
Invite all family members to put together some memories around the family unit.
Weave those pieces together to paint a picture of the extended family unit.

Awards Ceremony

If someone you know is honored, it is lovely to be asked to speak about him or her before the award.

Learn about the award to connect your knowledge of the person to that.
Enumerate the person’s strengths in the speech.
Explain why you think the individual is special and deserving of the award.

Celebration of Life

A different type of funeral speech, a celebration of life, focuses on the life well lived rather than the person’s death. You can take a chronological approach to their life, but you don’t have to. Sometimes it is far more interesting to tell a few fun stories and tie them all together.

Ask questions of others to be sure you can create a thorough picture of the person’s life. Since this is a celebration, your stories should be more light-hearted.

A former English teacher and currently an elementary principal in a rural school, Pam has honed her speaking skills in the classroom and before professional groups. Pam enjoys sharing her insights about public speaking almost as much as she enjoys running, which she does daily.

How to Do a Tribute Speech

How to Write a Speech About Someone I Admire

Being asked to do a tribute at an event is an honor and a privilege. Tributes are a type of commemorative speech delivered at a ceremonial gathering such as an awards banquet, wedding reception, reunion or a milestone birthday party. Tributes can also be given in recognition of a group’s efforts, remembrance of a historic day or dedication of a memorial, for instance. Focusing on your audience and the purpose of your remarks can help you conquer any public speaking jitters.

What Is a Tribute to Someone?

A tribute is generally a short speech of five minutes or less. The purpose of a tribute is to express gratitude, appreciation, respect and admiration for a person who deserves public recognition. You might be called upon to deliver a tribute honoring classmates, teachers, coaches, teammates or family members. For instance, you may be asked to say a few words of appreciation at a retirement luncheon for your favorite teacher, or you may volunteer to do a tribute at a family function such as a reunion, wedding reception or your parents’ anniversary party. Your words should reflect how the audience feels about the special person or event being celebrated.

How to Write a Tribute Speech

When doing a tribute, choose words that feel sincere, genuine and complimentary. State reasons why the honoree is an awesome person, but don’t go overboard with flowery adjectives. Be as specific as possible in recalling praiseworthy accomplishments or acts of kindness. Vividly describe the honoree and offer compelling examples of noteworthy talents, virtues, courage or sacrifice. Mention how this person has made a difference in the world. Talk about what you have learned from observing or listening to this person.

The tone of your remarks should be appropriate for the audience and the setting. Tailor remarks to the occasion. Just be yourself if you are doing a tribute to great grandma at her 80th birthday party, but be more formal when delivering a tribute speech at a school function. Avoid curse words or jokes some might find offensive or off-putting. Incorporating humor is dicey. A funny story can liven things up, but humor can be hurtful if misconstrued. Consider asking others for their opinion as to the appropriateness of using humor for the occasion.

Sample Tributes for Special Occasions

When agreeing to do a tribute, clarify how long you are being asked to speak and write your remarks accordingly. Start with an introduction and mention your name if you don’t know everyone present. These tribute examples can help you get started.

Thank you for coming to the annual student awards banquet. I think I know everybody here. Welcome! Tonight we will recognize students and teachers who have devoted countless hours to making this the best school year ever!

When acknowledging the guest of honor or award recipients, highlight special characteristics, personality traits and virtues that set them apart.

Mr. Brown may be retiring soon, but he has more energy than most of us. This year alone he directed two musicals, supervised the school yearbook and chaperoned our class trip to the Big Apple. Always smiling and willing to help, he is truly an inspiration.

Tell a little story that reminds the audience of good times you have all shared, or reveal an interesting tidbit of information about the honoree’s behind the scenes contributions.

You may not know this, but Mr. Brown saved the day when the bus broke down on the way to a state choir competition. Mr. Brown popped open the hood and quickly got the bus started. People driving by acted like they had never seen a mechanic in a tux.

Wrap up the tribute by expressing appreciation. Tributes sometimes end with a famous quote, clever saying or words to live by.

Mr. Brown taught us that the secret of life is to wake up, show up, speak up, listen up and pay up.

Is a Eulogy a Commemorative Speech?

A eulogy is a commemorative speech usually done as a tribute to someone who died. Memorial services are also called a celebration of life because the service eulogizes the memory of the deceased. In other words, a eulogy is a speech praising that person’s contributions during his brief or lengthy stay on Earth. Approach a eulogy as you would a tribute by showing love and respect.

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Penn State: Commemorative Speech
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center: Speeches
write-out-loud.com: Tribute Speech Guide
Write Out Loud: A Sample Tribute Speech

Dr. Mary Dowd is a dean of students whose job includes student conduct, leading the behavioral consultation team, crisis response, retention and the working with the veterans resource center. She enjoys helping parents and students solve problems through advising, teaching and writing online articles that appear on many sites. Dr. Dowd also contributes to scholarly books and journal articles.

Speech Writing

Commemorative Speech

Commemorative Speech - Writing Guide, Outline & Examples

Commemorative Speech Definition

A commemorative (or ceremonial or epideictic) speech is defined as an address of honor delivered to celebrate or praise the value of a person, group, place, event, idea, or institute.

This type of speech writing is not just verbal praise or appreciation. It is more of a celebration and acknowledgment.

The Importance of Commemorative Speeches

Commemorative speeches aren't just words thrown together; they serve a significant purpose in various aspects of life.

Commemorative speeches honor people, events, and ideas that hold significant value.
They help us remember history, culture, and achievements, preserving them for future generations.
Commemorative speeches inspire and connect people emotionally, fostering a sense of unity.
These speeches offer closure and healing, particularly during funerals or memorials.
They provide a platform for celebrating achievements and milestones.
Through commemorations, we ensure that important moments in our lives are never forgotten, leaving a lasting legacy.

Commemorative Speech Outline

Here's a simple commemorative speech outline example template:

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How to Write a Commemorative Speech

Writing a commemorative speech is a special way to pay tribute to an important event or someone's life. Here are some simple steps to help you write one:

Step 1: Start with an Attention-Grabbing Opener

Your speech needs to capture the audience's attention from the very beginning. So start your commemorative speech with a compelling story, a relevant quote, a rhetorical question, or a surprising fact. The goal is to make the audience want to listen.

Step 2: Introduce the Occasion

Clearly state the reason for your speech. Let the audience know what or who you are commemorating and why this is a significant occasion. This sets the stage for your speech's focus.

Step 3: Acknowledge Challenges or Difficulties

If the subject of your commemoration faced any difficulties in their life or in being remembered, this is the place to address those challenges. It adds depth to your speech and shows resilience.

Step 4: Express Gratitude

Thank the audience for their presence and appreciation. Also, acknowledge any individuals or organizations who have contributed to making this commemoration possible.

Step 5: Include Personal Observations

Share personal stories, anecdotes, or observations that connect you to the subject or event. This personal touch makes your speech unique and relatable.

Step 6: Pay Tribute to the Subject & Highlight Their Achievements

This is the heart of your speech. Express your admiration, respect, and appreciation for the person or the significance of the event you're commemorating. Explain why they are deserving of this honor. Dive into the subject's significant accomplishments, qualities, or contributions. Use specific examples or stories to illustrate their impact on others and the world.

Step 7: Connect to the Audience

Relate the subject's life or the event to the audience's experiences and values. Show why this commemoration matters to them and how it can resonate with their lives.

Step 8: Address Why It's Important

Explain the broader importance of this commemoration. Discuss the lasting influence, lessons learned, or the impact the subject or event has had on society, culture, or individuals.

Step 9: Conclude with a Powerful Message

Summarize the significance of the commemoration and leave the audience with a memorable and thought-provoking message. This could be a call to action, a reflection on the subject's legacy, or a meaningful quote.

Step 10: Use Visual Aids (if necessary)

Visual aids like photographs, videos, or props can enhance your speech by providing a visual element to support your words. Use them when appropriate, but ensure they add value.

Types of Commemorative Speeches

Here's a table outlining different types of commemorative speeches:

Commemorative Speech Examples

Here are some famous commemorative speeches by renowned personalities:

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech
Ronald Reagan's Challenger Disaster speech
Maya Angelou's eulogy for Coretta Scott King

Commemorative Speech on a Famous Person

Let’s take a look at a short commemorative speech example:

Commemorative Speech Examples PDF

To provide you with tangible insights into commemorative speeches, we've provided free commemorative speech examples in this section. Let’s take a look:

Graduation Ceremony Speech Example

Commemorative Speech Example

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Commemorative Speech Topics

Choosing the right topic is essential for speech writing. Here are some interesting commemorative speech topics, take a look:

A tribute to a loving spouse
A tribute to caring parents
The sacrifice of a teacher
A perfect example of human courage
A human who overcame a challenge
Celebrating Islamic values
Praising the women’s rights movement in the United States
Respect makes any relationship better
Hard work is the only shortcut to success.
Teamwork improves the performance of organizations.
Leadership is an innate ability.

Writing an inspiring speech can be tricky. But once you know what you have to write and how to structure it, the process becomes easier.

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Dr. Barbara is a highly experienced writer and author who holds a Ph.D. degree in public health from an Ivy League school. She has worked in the medical field for many years, conducting extensive research on various health topics. Her writing has been featured in several top-tier publications.

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How to Write a Toast Speech: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Are you tasked with delivering a toast speech, but don't know where to start? Fear not, we're here to help. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or achievement, expressing gratitude and appreciation, or simply entertaining and engaging your audience, crafting a memorable toast speech requires careful preparation and a bit of know-how. In this article, we'll take you through a step-by-step guide for writing an effective toast speech that will leave your audience feeling impressed and inspired.

Understanding the Purpose of a Toast Speech

Before you begin writing your toast speech, it's important to understand the purpose of the speech itself. Toasts are typically given to honor someone or celebrate a significant event, such as a wedding or milestone birthday. Within these broader categories, there are typically three main reasons for delivering a toast speech:

Celebrating a Milestone or Achievement

If you're giving a toast to celebrate a milestone or achievement, your speech should focus on the significance of the accomplishment and the hard work that went into achieving it. Consider including anecdotes or personal stories that highlight the honoree's dedication and perseverance.

Expressing Gratitude and Appreciation

If you're toasting someone as a form of thanks or appreciation, your speech should be centered around highlighting the person's qualities or actions that you are grateful for. This is an opportunity to express how much the honoree means to you, and how their actions have impacted the lives of others.

Entertaining and Engaging the Audience

Finally, if your toast speech is meant to be a lighthearted or entertaining moment during an event, your speech should be geared towards amusing and engaging the audience. Consider including jokes, anecdotes, or funny stories that will have your listeners laughing and enjoying the festivities.

Preparing to Write Your Toast Speech

Now that you have a clear understanding of why you're giving a toast, it's time to start preparing for the speech itself. Here are some tips for getting started:

Knowing Your Audience

When crafting a toast speech, it's important to consider who your audience will be. Are you speaking at a formal event, or is this a more casual affair? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your speech to their expectations and ensure that you strike the right tone.

Researching the Subject of the Toast

If you're toasting someone that you don't know very well, it's important to do a bit of research beforehand. Learn about the honoree's accomplishments and background, and consider talking to others who know them well to gain insight into their personality and character.

Gathering Personal Stories and Anecdotes

To make your toast speech truly memorable, it's important to incorporate personal stories and anecdotes that highlight the honoree's unique qualities and accomplishments. Consider reaching out to mutual friends or family members for inspiration, or reflecting on your own experiences with the honoree.

Crafting the Perfect Introduction

Once you've done some initial research and brainstorming, it's time to start writing your toast speech. Here are some tips for crafting a compelling introduction:

Grabbing the Audience's Attention

Starting your speech off with a bang is crucial for getting your listeners engaged and attentive. Consider opening with a personal anecdote, a surprising fact, or a humorous story to immediately grab their attention.

Setting the Tone for Your Speech

After you've captured your audience's interest, it's important to set the tone for the rest of your speech. Consider how you want your listeners to feel by the end of your speech, and make sure that your introduction fits with that overall tone.

Introducing Yourself and Your Connection to the Honoree

Finally, don't forget to introduce yourself and your connection to the honoree. This will help to establish your credibility as a speaker and give context to your speech.

Developing the Body of Your Speech

Now that you've set the stage for your speech, it's time to delve into the heart of the matter. Here are some tips for crafting a memorable body for your toast speech:

Sharing Personal Stories and Experiences

Personal anecdotes and stories are key to making your toast speech memorable and engaging. Choose stories that showcase the honoree's unique qualities and accomplishments, and be sure to tie them back to the overall theme or message of your speech.

Highlighting the Honoree's Accomplishments

If you're toasting someone to celebrate a milestone or achievement, it's important to reflect on their accomplishments and offer recognition for their hard work and dedication. Make sure to highlight specific achievements and give credit where credit is due.

Incorporating Humor and Emotion

To keep your audience engaged and invested in your speech, it's important to balance humor and emotion throughout. This will help to keep the mood light and entertaining, while also conveying the significance of the moment.

Wrapping Up Your Toast Speech

Now that you've laid out the body of your toast speech, it's time to bring it all together. Here are some tips for crafting a memorable conclusion:

Summarizing Your Main Points

As you wrap up your toast speech, take a moment to recap the main points that you've covered. This will help to reinforce the overall theme or message of your speech and ensure that your listeners come away with a clear understanding of your message.

Expressing Your Gratitude and Best Wishes

Finally, be sure to express your gratitude and well wishes for the honoree. This is a chance to offer your congratulations and convey how much the person means to you and those around them.

Closing on a High Note

As you conclude your speech, aim to end on a high note. Consider sharing a final personal anecdote or offering a heartfelt toast to the honoree. This will leave a lasting impression and ensure that your speech is remembered for years to come.

ChatGPT Prompt for Writing a Toast Speech

Use the following prompt in an AI chatbot . Below each prompt, be sure to provide additional details about your situation. These could be scratch notes, what you'd like to say or anything else that guides the AI model to write a certain way.

Compose a speech that is intended to be delivered as a toast, with the goal of expressing congratulations, appreciation, or admiration for a person or group of people. The speech should be well-crafted and thoughtful, and should effectively convey the intended message to the audience. The speech may be delivered in a formal or informal setting, and should be appropriate for the occasion and the audience.

[ADD ADDITIONAL CONTEXT. CAN USE BULLET POINTS.]

Writing a memorable toast speech requires careful preparation, a bit of research, and a lot of heart. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, you'll be well on your way to crafting a speech that will impress and inspire your audience. Remember to tailor your speech to the occasion and your audience, incorporate personal anecdotes and stories, and balance humor and emotion throughout. With these tips in mind, you're sure to deliver a toast speech that will be remembered for years to come. Cheers!

EVENTS & ENTERTAINING

Food & drink, relationships & family, how to write a speech honoring a friend, more articles.

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Topics for a Short Speech

How to Write a Speech for a Special Occasion

Like many adults, you may be a reluctant public speaker. But, you obviously are a good friend to somebody. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been asked to give a speech honoring this friend. This subtle but important distinction should help guide you as you prepare to write a speech honoring your friend. In other words, before you find a piece of paper or pull a chair up to your computer, reframe your task as sharing an insightful story or two about your friend rather than delivering a terse and formal speech. You’ll be well on your way to making a memorable speech that will impress your audience – and make your friend proud.

Identify the Basics

No public speaker – even the accomplished ones – wants surprises. You want to mitigate them to the best of your ability. So find out what you can about the venue, where you will deliver your speech (standing behind a podium is different from standing in the middle of a room or on a stage), the desired length of the speech and, most importantly, your audience. How old are they? Are they both male and female? And how well do they know your friend?

Brainstorming is the “messy part” of writing, so expect some mess to spill out as you develop initial ideas for your speech. Many people have a preferred brainstorming technique, such as writing a bulleted list of ideas, clustering (with supporting ideas circling the main idea in the middle) and freewriting (putting down thoughts in a random manner). Take your time with this step; if you can, put your initial effort aside for a day and return to it again with a fresh pair of eyes.

Develop a Thesis

Speeches can often “run off the rails” because a speaker tries to say too much in too little time. Your mission should not be to tell your friend’s life story, but to enlighten your audience about one or two of his outstanding attributes. This is why crafting a thesis statement is helpful. A thesis – a statement of purpose – serves as a compass, giving your speech focus and direction. Unlike an essay, a thesis for a speech may be indirect and unspoken. For example, a thesis meant to honor someone might be, “I want my audience to know how long my friend has worked on this special project,” or “I want to enlighten this group about my friend’s volunteer activities.”

Begin With an Anecdote

Avoid the tactical error of many well-intentioned public speakers who begin, “My name is...” or “I’m here today to talk about...” Don’t inject your audience with verbal Novocain. Just jump right in, grab your audience’s attention and begin your speech with an anecdote (that supports your thesis). Some of the best anecdotes contain quotations, so be sure you capture your friend’s verbal tics. Your audience should appreciate your attention to detail.

Proceed to the Support

With your audience giving you their rapt attention, now you can provide a little information about how you met your friend and how long you’ve known each other. But keep it brief. Remember that you’re honoring your friend for a reason, so the body of your speech should amplify and support your thesis with examples and illustrations.

End on a High Note

Your opening anecdote should be so compelling that it’s worth revisiting as you write a conclusion to your speech. By providing this crucial link, your audience will gain a sense that your story has come full circle.

Edit, Proofread and Prepare

Writers are often advised to “write like they talk.” This is golden advice for speakers, who will, in fact, verbalize the words they write. In the micro, this means to substitute short words for long words, shorten long sentences and inject places for pauses. Practice your speech in front of someone you trust and listen carefully to how it sounds (and time it, if necessary). A word or phrase may look brilliant on paper but sound awkward or confusing aloud. In this case, go with clarity over brilliance. Finally, set yourself up for success by producing a final copy that suits you. Some speakers prefer reading a speech from paper with jumbo-sized type; others prefer notecards.

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“A Speaker's Guidebook,” Sixth Edition, by Dan O'Hair, Rob Stewart and Hannah Rubenstein
The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Brainstorming
The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill: Speeches
Classroom.Synonym.com: How to Do a Tribute Speech
Time: 6 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Speech (On Any Topic)
Forbes: How To Give A Great Speech
Read examples of speeches online. This will provide ideas for your speech.

Mary Wroblewski earned a master'sdegree with high honors in communications and has worked as areporter and editor in two Chicago newsrooms. She launched her ownsmall business, which specialized in assisting small business ownerswith “all things marketing” – from drafting a marketing planand writing website copy to crafting media plans and developing emailcampaigns. Mary writes extensively about small business issues, andespecially “all things marketing.”

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7 Short Memorial Tribute Samples for Funerals

Updated 04/19/2024

Published 04/29/2020

Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education

Contributing writer

Find memorial tribute samples for friends, family members, and partners, as well as tips on how to write a great tribute.

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

You’ve been asked to speak at a funeral. You have a basic idea of how to write a tribute speech , but you need some inspiration. Perhaps you are struggling to put into words how exceptional your mom was.

Maybe every time you try to write about the characteristics of your sister, the words sound generic and hollow. It could be that you haven’t written anything but emails since high school or college, and you are uncomfortable putting your thoughts into words.

Let us help. Here are some short tribute samples. We’ll try to give you examples of how to begin, portions from the middle of a speech, and how to conclude your tribute. We hope that reading these short excerpts will inspire you to be able to write a speech for someone close to you.

Post-planning tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, handling a loved one's unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.

Jump ahead to these sections:

For a parent, for a sibling, for a partner or spouse, for a friend, for another close family member, for a mentor , for a colleague, how to choose the right words.

Example of what to include in a memorial tribute for a parent over an image of candles

"Good afternoon. I am Peter, Mary’s oldest son. My sister Patricia and I would like to welcome you to the memorial service of our mom. I’m going to be honest. I’m a high school teacher, so I am used to public speaking. But presenting this tribute will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Please give me grace as I struggle through my thoughts and ideas and try to articulate what an amazing woman my mom was.

Instead of giving you a list of adjectives to describe my mom, I would like to tell you a few of our favorite stories about her and let you draw your own conclusions.

First, you probably didn’t know this, but my mom has been quietly working with the homeless population for years. She didn’t talk about it. In fact, she never said anything to my sister or me about her work. Instead, she would quietly prepare bags of snacks and toiletries every Sunday evening, and then several times throughout that week, she would distribute the packages to the homeless communities downtown. I see the looks of surprise on some of your faces, and you probably are asking yourself how you didn’t know this about my mom. That’s just the type of person she was—selfless and humble."

Tip: You can set up a memorial fundraiser to help with funeral expenses or donate to your loved one's favorite charity using our online memorials .

"Shawna had such an exuberant spirit. I see many of you nodding your heads because you know this may be the understatement of the century.

Even though I was two years ahead of Shawna in school, people in my class would ask if I was Shawna’s brother. It used to infuriate me, but I understand why it happened. Shawna made a point to learn everyone’s name. Not only that, but she would also learn everyone’s siblings’ names, how long they had lived in the area, and whether they liked chocolate or strawberry ice cream.

Shawna was a natural-born public relations director. She loved people, and people loved her. It’s no surprise there’s not an empty seat in the church today. This packed house means a lot to my parents and me. We can’t tell you how much we have appreciated all the messages we have received in the last week. Your support has been overwhelming."

Example of what to include in a memorial tribute for a partner over an image of the sky

"Finally, besides being grateful for my amazing children and close friends, I am thankful for the treasure trove of memories that I have of my life with Michael. Even though I feel as if my right arm has been removed, I know that someday I may again laugh when I remember some of his god-awful jokes.

Eventually, I will be able to use his Graceland coffee cup without breaking down into tears. There will come a point when I will be able to look back at our lifetime of memories together and smile. Until then, I would love for you to share your memories of Michael with me. It comforts me to know that there are others out there thinking of and mourning for this great man."

Tip: For a special reminder of your partner and your memories together, consider a custom urn or cremation diamond .

"The first thing I noticed about Carol was her big mane of red, curly hair. It didn’t take long to discover that her hair matched her personality. And it’s that personality that I would like to celebrate with you today.

Let’s start by remembering her laugh. I always knew where Carol was when I entered a restaurant for a lunch date with her and our high school friends. I only had to pause at the entrance of the dining room and listen for her loud, contagious laugh. I never had to wait long to hear it because Carol was always the life of the party."

"My mom has shared a lot of stories about Uncle Ralph through the years. My favorite stories were about his adventures when he was a young adult—before he married Aunt Rita.

Apparently, Ralph had an adventurous spirit back in the late 1960s. He spent his summers hitchhiking across the country, with his old Boy Scout pack slung across his back. Ralph was able to get rides from other hippies, truck drivers, ranchers, and once a cult leader.

He slept under the stars in the Sierra Nevada mountains and woke up once to see a bear rummaging through his pack. I wasn’t around back then, but I’ve seen photos of Ralph from this time. He was almost unrecognizable. The Uncle Ralph that I knew was a clean-cut Presbyterian minister. "

"Today I would like to pay tribute to a great woman and mentor, Julia Price. Julia was born to a Missouri farm couple in 1958. Her parents, Sam and Glenda Smith, had struggled to conceive, and when Julia finally arrived to complete their family, they were delighted. They treated their daughter as a princess, and she loved them with her whole heart.

Although she didn’t want to leave home, her parents convinced her to enroll in the University of Missouri after she graduated from high school as valedictorian. There, she studied journalism and became the first female editor of the college newspaper. She loved her new-found career, and when she graduated, she received an offer from major newspapers in St. Louis and Chicago.

She began her career covering city hall in Chicago. You know she met a lot of interesting characters from this experience—many of whom are currently serving time in prison. Regardless, she remained unintimidated by these high-profile public servants and worked hard to make sure the local population knew what was going on behind closed doors."

"It is my honor to speak today about Bill. Although I wish I were talking at his retirement party instead of his funeral , we all know that life isn’t fair sometimes. It’s not fair that Bill was taken from his wife Carol after only 27 years together. It’s not fair that Bill wasn’t able to live long enough to see his first granddaughter born next spring. And it’s not fair that our office will be without Bill’s booming voice and contagious laugh. Things won’t ever be the same.

No one worked harder than Bill. He knew every aspect of the business, which is not a surprise since he started in the warehouse when he was 23 years old. He worked his way up to warehouse supervisor, and then distribution manager, and finally, one of the vice presidents of the company."

Tip on how to prepare a memorial tribute with an image of flowers

We hope these short eulogy samples will help you get over your writer’s block. But don’t beat yourself up if you really struggle to write a fitting tribute to your loved one or colleague. You are undertaking a difficult and important task.

Give yourself plenty of time to write your speech. Begin jotting down ideas as soon as you are asked. You may want to speak to others who knew the deceased to learn stories and gather ideas.
Write out a draft of your tribute, using as many specific examples and stories as possible. Avoid making general statements about the person’s personality without having a particular memory to share.
Also, remember that a funeral is not the appropriate place to share someone’s secrets. It’s not the time to make a bombshell announcement or reveal a life-long secret.
Finally, once you have your draft, share it with several other people. Ask for suggestions and be open-minded with their edits.

Writing a tribute is a lot of work, but it is a great honor to be asked to speak at a loved one’s memorial service.

Categories:

How to Start a Eulogy: 55+ Examples

What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Parent: Tips + Examples

What to Say When Someone Dies

How to Write a Moving Living Eulogy + Examples

Bridal Shower
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Engagement Party
Rehearsal Dinner
Wedding Checklists
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Speech Examples
Speech Template
How To Write The Best Speech
Useful Speech Tips
Quotes for the Speech
Wedding Party & Reception

Best Tips for Maid Of Honor Speech 2024: Samples & Ideas

jennyyoonyc via Instagram

Crafting a memorable maid of honor speech can be both an honor and a daunting task. It’s a chance to celebrate the bride in a heartfelt way while engaging the audience. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or feeling the nerves, this guide will walk you through simple and effective steps to create a speech that will leave everyone touched and smiling. Remember, the key to a great speech lies in authenticity and personal anecdotes – sharing genuine stories and emotions will make your words resonate with everyone present.

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Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

Best friend maid of honor speech.

After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy and author of ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips. The first three-fifths of the speech should include revealing, entertaining stories that give an insight into the bride and your relationship with her. Don’t be shy of some affectionate teasing.

We’ve made a research and after surveying over 50,000 brides, the maid of honor choice was crystal clear: more than 51% of them chose their best friend as their maid of honor. This role isn’t just about tradition—it’s about an unbreakable bond. A best friend’s speech resonates deeply, filled with shared memories and heartfelt wishes.

“If you haven’t had the chance to meet me yet, my name is X. (Bride) and I have been best friends for about 10 years. We met in high school gym class, and we couldn’t stand each other at first. As you can see, things eventually changed for the better. When (Bride) first asked me to be her Maid of Honor I felt flattered. But as the big day approached, she also told me to give a speech and a toast. I’m kind of the shy type and tried my best to get out of it. But, as (Groom) can tell you, it’s almost impossible to tell (Bride) No and get away with it. I wanted to tell you both how absolutely spectacular you look today. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better-looking couple (except for maybe my boyfriend and I). And I hope you’re all having a lovely evening and I’d like to I wish you two all the love and happiness in the world. How blessed you are to celebrate your love on this beautiful day. I know there are many happy years ahead for you. Let’s all raise our glasses to the bride and groom, and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness!”

“I never had a sister, but (Bride) has been like a sister to me for all these years. We have similar tastes, we like similar clothes… I knew (Bride) had found the one when (Groom) walked into her life. Well, I’m fine with that – she saw him first! Actually, you could see that it was love at first, second, and third sight. He is her Prince Charming and it seems to me he gives her all she needs – a strong arm, a sympathetic ear, and his credit card.”

“I met (Bride) 6 years ago, as we tried to survive in the concrete jungle of NY. To thrive there, your tribe is essential. We are quite protective of each other, so I was a bit skeptical of (Groom) when he first came into the picture. But as time goes by, I can’t imagine anyone else but him to be her one and only. They say that anyone can be passionate, but it takes a real pair of lovers to be silly. Well, together, (Bride) and (Groom) are two of the goofiest people I know.”

“Hello everyone, my name is X, and by my dress, you can tell that I am the Maid of Honor today. For many years, we have been through thick and thin, and we have shared many memories. Today is another great day to add to our collection of sweet memories, so I’m really looking forward to the cake! I know you will have challenges as all relationships do. But you know what’s great about love and relationships and marriages? It is learning to grow together. Caring and sharing, and lots of tenderness. And maybe a bit of patience, or maybe even a lot. So let’s raise our glasses to the power of love, that makes all these wonderful things happen! Today you start a completely new chapter of your lives. What can I say? Never forget the two most important replies: ‘you’re right, dear’ and ‘okay, buy it’. Love and cherish each other! These two are a rare find in today’s world. Here’s to the groom who has a bride so fair, and here’s to the bride with a groom who is so rare.”

How to write a maid of honor speech for best friend?

Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and expressing how honored you are to be the maid of honor for your best friend.
Fond Memories: Share special and cherished memories you’ve shared together, highlighting the bond you both share.
Praise and Qualities: Speak about your best friend’s wonderful qualities, accomplishments, and the ways they have positively impacted your life and the lives of others.
The Friendship: Emphasize the strength and significance of your friendship, and how it has grown over the years.
Love and Support: Show appreciation for the bride’s partner and express your excitement about their journey together.
Gratitude: Thank the guests for being a part of this special day and acknowledge the couple’s families.
Toast: Raise a toast to your best friend and their partner, wishing them a lifetime of love, joy, and happiness together.

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Sister maid of honor speech.

According to our research, the second most popular choice for the maid of honor role is the bride’s sister. While tradition often places the best friend in the spotlight, a sister brings a unique depth to the role. Their shared history, growing up together, and the intrinsic bond make a sister’s speech incredibly touching. With a wealth of childhood memories and a deep understanding of the bride, a sister’s words carry immense emotional weight. When delivering the speech, draw upon this shared journey, express genuine emotions, and celebrate the love that binds not only siblings but also the newlyweds.

“As you may know, I am the bride’s younger sister. As we were growing up, I always wanted to be like her. Do the things she did, have the things she had – I was probably a bit annoying, I always wanted to tag along. She taught me how to care, how to share, and how to try to reach for the stars. And as I grew up I wanted to be just as beautiful, caring, smart, and successful as her. (Bride) has always set an example for me to follow. Over the years she has shown me how to love and care. Today she shows me how to find a best friend, a partner, and a true lover, all in one person. I hope that I am just as lucky someday. It’s a great happiness to find someone who loves you as much as (Groom) loves my sister. Today, I want to thank both of you for being a part of my life, and to celebrate the love you both share. Like many sisters, we weren’t always best friends. I remember fights, screaming, and door-slamming, but I couldn’t have picked a better sister and a friend. Now that we are older, I can finally admit how happy I am to have grown up with such a great sister. Having a sister is one of the greatest things in life. Having a little sister is even better because I liked to be bossy. (Bride) always wanted to be a bit more like me… But actually, there is so much that I admire about her! I have watched her grow into the gorgeous woman that she is. It is a great honor for me to be her big sister!”

“First of all, I want to thank you all for being here with us today. As most of you know I am (Bride’s) sister. As we grew, we were as close as can be. We were always in trouble and I remember wondering if there will be a guy brave enough for someone as wild as my sister is. Well, here he is!My sis has just tied the knot. And I do believe that (Groom) is her perfect match. And today I realize that all she needs is a guy who will love her just the way she is, with all her craziness. Their commitment to each other inspires all of us because that’s what we call true love. So let’s raise our glasses to this amazing couple!”

“I want you to know that it took me 3 weeks to write this speech over and over again. And I couldn’t think of anything perfect enough to describe just how much I love you. I couldn’t find words to define the kind of sister you are to me. This is your big day and there is so much I want to say… I Googled a lot of maid of honor speech examples. The one piece of advice I kept finding over and over again was to start off with a quote. I did some research and I think their love is best described by Dr. Seuss: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because the reality is finally better than your dreams.”

“Love, be true to her; Life, be dear to her; Health, stay close to her; Joy, draw near to her; Fortune, find what you can do for her, Search your treasure house through and through for her, Follow her footsteps the wide world over – And keep her husband always her lover. – By Anna Lewis, from “To the Bride”

How to write a maid of honor speech for sister?

Introduction: Start by introducing yourself and your relationship with the bride, emphasizing your sisterly bond.
Anecdotes: Share heartfelt and funny stories that highlight your sister’s qualities, achievements, or memorable moments you’ve shared together.
Praise the bride: Compliment her personality, kindness, and the positive impact she has on others.
Address the groom: Welcome him into the family and share a warm message about their relationship.
Express gratitude: Thank the guests for attending and acknowledge your parents and other family members.
Toast: Raise a glass and propose a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds and their future happiness together.

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Funny Maid Of Honor Speech

As a close friend of the bride, you would have a lot of material for wedding speeches bridesmaids, you just need to know how to put them all together. A few sample wedding speeches would give you the right kind of inspiration to get you on your way.

“Well, for those of you who I haven’t had the chance to meet yet, my name is [NAME]. [BRIDE] and I have been best friends for around the last 10 years. We first met at work one day, when she stole my carrot cake out of the fridge in the lunchroom and I threw away her pineapple yogurt cartons in revenge. I never had a sister, but [BRIDE] has been my stand-in sister for all these years. You could say we are even closer than sisters. We don’t fight like sisters, but we do wear each other’s clothes. Somehow she can still fit into my clothes but I can’t fit into hers anymore. I’m sure that is just because her dryer must be shrinking them. I knew [BRIDE] had found the one when [GROOM] walked into her life. Sure, she dated a few guys…after I was done torturing them. But [GROOM] was different. Unlike those jerks, he was kind and thoughtful. And he had a job. You could see that it was love at first, second, and third sight. Clearly [GROOM] is charming and it seems to me he offers her what she needs – a strong arm, a kind ear, and an American Express Black Card. I trust [BRIDE] and [GROOM] completely. I remember the time I asked them to watch my dog Benji when I went skiing in Europe. They were so nice to help out. I got back and Benji was so happy to see me. He was 40 pounds lighter and now he sees a therapist twice a week. Of course, we are having fun today. The test of this relationship will be over the long term. Will she still love [GROOM] when he leaves his underwear on the floor and cuts his toenails at the dinner table? The answer is no. God, please, disgusting. No, seriously, I know they will have challenges as all relationships do. And [GROOM] will learn what all men learn eventually. Keep your wife happy! Happy wife, happy life. No, really, what’s great about love and relationships and marriage is learning to grow together. The communication it takes to keep a marriage going is massive. But half the fun is working things out, talking, communicating, and launching kitchen appliances at each other – real love. Today has been a great day. Family and friends are here, the sun is shining and the champagne is flowing. And we’ll need it to get through this chicken dinner.”

Sometimes the hardest part of being a maid of honor to your bestie might be writing the wedding speech. Speaking with your friend face to face is always easy, however, making toasts or speeches in front of a group of people would be totally different and not as easy. This is why anecdotes and funny wedding speeches maid of honor could help you cruise through your speech while giving the wedding guests a laugh at the same time.

Funny Lines For Maid Of Honor Speech

“I did some research on how to give the perfect maid of honor speech, and the first tip I found was to imagine everyone in their underwear. So, here we are, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my nightmare!”
“Being the maid of honor is like being a ninja. You have to be quick on your feet, prepared for anything, and ready to attack at a moment’s notice. But instead of throwing shurikens, I’m armed with embarrassing stories about the bride.”
“As the maid of honor, I’ve been given the responsibility of keeping the bride calm and relaxed throughout the wedding planning process. Which is why I’ve been slipping her Xanax in her coffee every morning.”
“When the bride asked me to be her maid of honor, I was thrilled. But then I realized it meant I had to give a speech in front of all these people. So if I faint halfway through, just drag me off stage and make it look like part of the act.”

Bridesmaid Wedding Speech

A list of example wedding speeches maid of honor could act as a template of sorts, helping you figure out just how to structure your speech.

Some of the best wedding speeches maid of honor, shine a light on the friendship between the bride and her maid of honor, as well as the beautiful personality of the bride. Most introductions begin with the story of meeting the groom for the first time. The intro is usually a good time to inject a funny quote, poem, or actual occurrence.

“Hi everyone, I am one of the bridesmaids at this wedding and I just wanted to say how happy and lucky I am to be here to celebrate [bride] and [groom’s] wedding with everyone. Today, everything looks effortless. From the beautiful wedding ceremony to the food, music, and decorations at this venue, every little detail was planned by [bride] and [groom.] And lots of time was spent shopping for dresses and doing fittings. When you get to peek behind the scenes, you see how much work really gets put into planning a wedding. There were a lot of late nights and hours spent working on this wedding and I have to say that it all turned out quite beautifully. Let’s all give a round of applause for [bride] and [groom.] [Bride] and [groom,] thank you for such a wonderful day. I raise my glass to the two of you and wish you nothing but the best in your life together. May each day be full of love and laughter between the two of you.”

Speeches are generally not as difficult as we imagine. So, you can relax, go through these samples, and create one of the best wedding toast speeches made of honor.

Short Maid Of Honor Speech Examples

“Greetings to all of you. I’m [Name], the maid of honor. I would like to express a few words about the lovely bride and groom. [Bride] has always been a wonderful friend to me, and it’s an honor to be her maid of honor today. And [Groom], I am delighted that you are joining our family. You two are a perfect match, and I wish you all the happiness and love in the world. Let’s raise a glass to the happy couple!”

“Hello, everyone. I’m [Name], the maid of honor. [Bride], you look breathtakingly beautiful today, and I feel grateful to be a part of your extraordinary day. [Groom], you’re a fortunate man! [Bride] is intelligent, gorgeous, and has a heart of gold. I am confident that you both will have a lifetime of love and happiness together. Congratulations on your special day!”

“Good evening, all. I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and for those who don’t know me, it’s lovely to meet you. I have known [Bride] for several years, and I have never seen her as happy as she is with [Groom]. You two bring out the best in each other, and it’s evident that you are destined to be together. It’s an honor to stand here today as a witness to your love and commitment. Congratulations to the joyful couple!”

“Hello everyone, I’m [Name], the maid of honor. [Bride], you’re my best friend and I couldn’t be happier to see you marry [Groom]. You two are perfect for each other and I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations!”

“Good evening, all. I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and I’m honored to celebrate [Bride] and [Groom]’s special day. [Bride], you’re my best friend and I’m so happy to see you with someone as wonderful as [Groom]. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness. Congratulations!”

“Hi everyone, I’m [Name], the maid of honor, and I’m thrilled to celebrate my best friend [Bride] and her groom [Groom]. [Bride], I’m so proud of you and I know that [Groom] is the perfect partner for you. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness and love. Congratulations!”

“Good evening, everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], and I have the incredible honor of standing by [Bride’s Name]’s side today as her maid of honor. First and foremost, I want to say how breathtakingly beautiful she looks tonight. As I stand here, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that led us to this moment. [Bride’s Name] and I have been inseparable since childhood, and I am beyond grateful for the memories we’ve created together. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and supported each other through life’s ups and downs. And now, as I watch her embark on this new chapter with [Groom’s Name], my heart overflows with joy. I’ve witnessed the love between them grow and flourish, and it’s truly something special. [Groom’s Name], thank you for making my best friend the happiest she’s ever been. To [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name], may your love continue to blossom and may your journey together be filled with laughter, love, and adventure. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness. Cheers!”

“Hello, everyone! I’m [Your Name], and I have the honor of being [Bride’s Name]’s slightly crazy, but totally awesome, maid of honor! When [Bride’s Name] asked me to take on this role, I knew it would be an adventure. From choosing the perfect dress to planning wild bachelorette parties, we’ve had our fair share of laughs and tears. And let’s not forget about all the emergency wedding dress fittings! But in all seriousness, I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. [Bride’s Name] is compassionate, hilarious, and always there to lend a helping hand. She lights up every room she enters, and I know that [Groom’s Name] feels incredibly lucky to have her as his partner in crime. [Groom’s Name], welcome to the family! We’ve all been waiting for someone to take on the challenge of dealing with [Bride’s Name]’s terrible dance moves, and it looks like you’re up for it. To the happy couple, may your love be as endless as the dance floor at the reception. Here’s to a lifetime of happiness, laughter, and love. Cheers!”

“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and most importantly, the beautiful couple of the day, [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. I’m [Your Name], and I have the privilege of being [Bride’s Name]’s maid of honor. Today, I stand here with a heart full of emotions, for I’ve had the honor of witnessing the love between [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] blossom into something truly extraordinary. Their love is like a gentle breeze, calming our souls and reminding us of the beauty in life. [Bride’s Name], you’ve always been the ray of sunshine in my life. Your kindness, grace, and unwavering love inspire all who know you. And now, as you embark on this new journey with [Groom’s Name], I know that you’ll be a guiding light in his life as well. [Groom’s Name], thank you for cherishing and loving [Bride’s Name] with all your heart. Your dedication to making her happy is evident in every glance you share. Let us all raise our glasses to the newlyweds. May your love continue to grow, like the mighty oak standing tall through the changing seasons. May your days be filled with laughter, and your hearts forever intertwined. Congratulations, and here’s to a lifetime of happiness and love!”

When delivering a speech, remember to speak from the heart, keep it concise, and maintain a positive tone. Make sure to customize the speech to fit your relationship with the couple and the overall vibe of the wedding.

How to write a short wedding speech?

Start by introducing yourself and briefly mentioning your relationship with the bride. This will help the audience understand your perspective and why you were chosen to be the maid of honor.
Take a moment to express your gratitude for being a part of the special day and your well wishes for the newlyweds.
Say a few words about the bride and groom, highlighting their qualities and how they complement each other. You can talk about their journey as a couple and your hopes for their future together.
End your speech by raising a toast to the newlyweds.

Maid Of Honor Toasts

One of the tips for giving good wedding speeches – to use a good toast. A toast is basically well wished to the newlyweds and their family, followed by a signal for guests to raise their glasses.

If you are unsure what exactly to say, here are some beautiful maid of honor toast examples to inspire you.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. – Philippians 1:9”
“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32”
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Here’s to love, laughter and happily ever after. – Romans 12:10″
“As (Groom) and (Bride) start their new life together, Let’s toast to the new husband and wife!”
“Here’s to the husband And here’s to the wife; May they remain Lovers for life.”
“Here’s to the health of the happy pair; may good luck follow them everywhere; And may each day of wedded bliss be always as sweet and joyous as this.”
“May you grow old on one pillow. May their joy be as bright as the morning, and their sorrows be shadows that fade in the sunlight of love.”
“Let’s drink to love, which is nothing—unless it’s divided into two with someone you love. May your joys be as sweet as spring flowers that grow.”
“As bright as a fire when winter winds blow; As countless as leaves that float down in the fall; And as serene as the love that keeps watching over us all.”

As the maid of honor, you need to find the one speech, that is short and sweet, and resonates with you! Great Maid of Honor wedding speeches often includes great quotes . Famous quotes have a way of painting a picture that our own words can’t seem to do on their own.

The Maid Of Honor Speech Template

Infographic.

INFO maid of honor speech template new 16112023

The biggest worry that most maids of honor have is freezing and forgetting the speech. A great solution is breaking your speech into sections and writing them down on cards that you carry with you. As you practice your speech it will be easier to memorize, and having all the words with you will keep you from panicking.

To get you started, stick to our basic Maid Of Honor Speech Outline:

Introduce yourself (your name, your relationship to the bride, and how long you’ve known each other)
Thank everyone involved in the wedding planning for their hard work
Talk about the bride (why she’s a good person and friend, share a story to illustrate it)
Tell the love story (The most romantic version of how the bride and groom met)
Talk about the groom (Compliment him, why he’s great for your friend, what he does for her etc)
Celebrate the couple (Why they’re so good together)
Wish the newlyweds wonderful things for the future You could also insert a quote or a poem.
Toast to the bride and groom – Raise your glass, say: “Here’s to the happy couple”, take and sip and voila! You’ve nailed it!

How To Write The Best Maid Of Honor Speech Ever

We’ve all seen when speeches go wrong, so how you do you get it right? After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy , Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips.

Introduce yourself & explain how you know the bride.
Include humor throughout. Yes, your speech should be a loving tribute to a true friend, but it’s also meant to entertain a crowd.
Once you’ve written your speech, try to edit it in half. Promise, your speech will be better the punchier it is. No one ever wished a speech was longer!
Pay tribute to the bride’s partner with than a cursory platitude. Prove you genuinely know and like them!
Rehearse as often as you can but use notes on the day. Delivering the speech shouldn’t be a memory test.
Remember to smile throughout your delivery. It’s a powerful (and infectious) communication tool.

Don’t

Resort to cheesy cliches about love and friendship.
Google gags.
Thank anyone. It’s not your job.
Take up more than 10 mins mic time.
Pretend the bride is perfect. Instead cherish the crazy character she truly is, with all her quirks and eccentricities.
Talk over laughter when you deliver your speech. If you’ve written a funny line, leave a pause after you’ve said it to allow your audience to get the joke and respond. Don’t start talking till the last giggle has died down.
Drink more than a glass of bubbles prior to your speech. Alcohol actually increases the stress hormone.

How to Get Started Maid of Honor Wedding Speech

Know Your Audience: Consider the bride and groom’s personalities, the formality of the event, and the sensibilities of the guests. Tailor your speech to the audience.
Start Early: Begin writing your speech well in advance. This allows time for revisions and practice. Don’t wait until the last minute.
Personalize It: Share anecdotes and stories that reflect your relationship with the bride. Highlight special moments and inside jokes.

Examples of How to Get Started:

Opening with a Quote: Start with an inspiring or humorous quote related to love or marriage. For instance,

“Maya Angelou once said, ‘Love recognizes no barriers.’ Today, we’re here to celebrate a love that knows no bounds.”

Anecdotal Introduction: Begin with a personal story about your friendship with the bride.

“As I stand here today, I can’t help but think back to the time we met in kindergarten. Who would’ve thought that our friendship would lead us to this beautiful wedding?”

Express Your Gratitude: Begin by expressing your gratitude for being chosen as the maid of honor.

“First and foremost, I want to thank [bride’s name] for giving me the honor of standing by her side today as her maid of honor.” Remember, the key to a memorable maid of honor speech is sincerity and a touch of humor, sprinkled with personal anecdotes that capture the essence of your relationship with the bride.

How To End A Maid Of Honor Speech

When figuring out how to write a maid of honor speech, keep in mind that the latter part of the speech should be where you talk about the couple. In that vein, it’s also important to know how to end the speech flawlessly. Here are a few tips.

Keep it short and sweet. While you might have a lot to say, there are time slots for each speech, so keeping things short would be best.
Use sentimental wedding quotes. You might have a maid of honor speech template you follow but adding inspirational quotes to your speech is a great way to wrap things up.
Finish with a toast. At the very end, it is customary to raise a toast to the happy couple.

10 Maid Of Honor Speech Tips

After years of helping Maids of Honor deliver awesome speeches, founder of Speechy and author of ‘The Modern Couple’s Guide to Wedding Speeches’, Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips.

Planning Your Speech

Think of the speechwriting process as writing a dissertation (only this time, don’t leave it till the night before your deadline!).
Firstly, jot down all your ideas and favourite stories and then construct a central idea (narrative theme) that you stick to through. It could be that your friend is always right, or maybe the newlyweds prove that opposites really do attract. Whatever it is, make sure your speech flows from one idea to the next, rather than being a list of random thoughts.

Speech Structure

Remember to introduce yourself and how you know the bride at the start of the speech and try to include humor within the first 30 seconds. Resist the urge to include any of those tired googled-wedding-gags and ensure your line is original and relates to the couple themselves or the surroundings you find yourself in.
The first three-fifths of the speech should include revealing, entertaining stories that give an insight into the bride and your relationship with her. Don’t be shy of some affectionate teasing.
Towards the latter half of the speech, introduce her partner and explain why the couple are suited. Again, make sure to include some good-natured humour here.
The final fifth of your speech could be a full-on love-bomb of a tribute to your friend. Make sure you avoid the usual cliches and platitudes about friendship and instead, try to nail the bride’s individual characteristics and quirks that make you love her.

Edit Your Speech

When you’ve finished writing your speech, try to edit it in half. You may not achieve it but once you get editing, you’ll be surprised by the amount of needless waffle that’s in there.
Remember, a speech is better punchy, so be brutal. A good maid of honour speech is generally between 700 and 1,100 words. No more than 10 minutes airtime!

Choosing Quotes for a Memorable Maid of Honor Speech

Talking about love and trying to sum up a friendship, can be hard. Luckily, some other clever people have already done it and we can all exploit their genius! Whilst plagiarism isn’t ever cool, finding the perfect quote to supercharge your speech is a great idea. Founder of Speechy (the bespoke speechwriting service), Heidi Ellert-McDermott, shares her tips for hunting the perfect quote to honour your bestie.

How to Use Quotes

Don’t resort to a generic ‘marriage advice’ quote. They’re over-used.
Don’t overload your speech with quotes. One, maximum two.
Quote recognisable names – or at least provide some context. Don’t quote someone you need to Google or someone who’s a random ‘relationship coach’.
Once you add the perfect quote to your speech, script a comedy back ref or put it into the context of the couple’s real-life relationship.
Remember, quotes can be used to add the necessary humor, as well as the sentiment.

Where to Find Quotes

Don’t just search for ‘wedding quotes’ on Pinterest.
Quotes become more meaningful if they come from somewhere that means something to the couple. Could the quote come from the bride’s favourite book, her partner’s favourite film, or maybe it’s from that song you play when you’ve both had a few too many dirty martinis.
Quotes can be found everywhere from children’s books to rom-coms, from hip-hop classics to the great philosophers, from historical icons to classic sitcoms so enjoy the search!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the maid of honor have to give a speech.

It’s definitely customary for the maid of honor to give a toast to the newlyweds at the reception, but usually, she gave a sweet speech.

How long should a maid of honor speech be?

A maid of honor speech should ideally be around 3 to 5 minutes in length. This timeframe allows you to convey your message effectively without losing the audience’s attention or making other speeches feel rushed.

What should be avoided in a maid of honor speech?

When delivering a maid of honor speech, there are a few things to avoid to ensure it is memorable for the right reasons:

Avoid embarrassing or offensive stories: You shouldn’t share anything that may make the bride uncomfortable or might be inappropriate for the audience.
Steer clear of inside jokes: Inside jokes may exclude or confuse other guests who are not familiar with the context. Keep your speech inclusive and relatable for everyone present.
Don’t overshadow the couple: Avoid making the speech all about yourself or unrelated topics that detract from the celebration of the couple’s special day.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can impair your ability to deliver a coherent and meaningful message.
Don’t go on for too long: Avoid rambling or dragging out the speech, as it may lose the interest of the audience.

Remember, the maid of honor speech is an opportunity to celebrate the couple and express your love and support for them.

We hope that now you have everything you need for your perfect maid of honor speech. So just keep all of this in mind as you prepare and deliver your maid of honor speech, and you will be amazing. Make the bride proud she chose you!

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How to Write a Roast to Honor Someone and Have Fun

Hrideep barot.

Communication , Public Speaking

How to Write a Roast to Honor Someone and Have Fun

Crafting a Memorable Roast: Honoring with Humor

Roasting , when done right, is like a finely crafted dish – it’s a blend of humor , affection , and celebration that leaves everyone with a satisfied smile. Have you ever wondered how to write a roast that not only honors someone but also guarantees a barrel of laughs?

Well, you’re in luck! In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to craft a roast that’s as delightful as it is memorable. From the legendary roasts of celebrities to the heartwarming tributes at family gatherings, we’ll explore how to write a roast that honors the honoree while keeping the audience entertained. So, grab a pen and paper , and let’s embark on this delightful adventure together. By the end of this guide, you’ll be armed with the knowledge and confidence to write a roast that not only honors someone special but also ensures everyone has a blast in the process. Get ready to unleash your inner comedian and spread joy with every witty quip and clever observation. Let’s dive in!

The best roasts are the ones that leave everyone laughing and feeling loved.” – Ellen DeGeneres

First things first, let’s define what a roast actually is. Roasting someone involves good-natured teasing or poking fun at them in a humorous way. It’s often done in a social setting, such as a comedy roast or a friendly gathering, where the intention is to entertain rather than offend. Roasting typically involves clever jokes , playful insults , and exaggerated anecdotes about the person being roasted, all delivered in a lighthearted manner. The key is to maintain a balance between humor and respect, ensuring that the jokes are well-received and the atmosphere remains friendly and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Types of Roasts: A Simple Guide

Roasting isn’t just about throwing jokes around like confetti. It’s an art, and like any art, it comes in different styles and flavors. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular types of roasts and what makes each one unique.

1. Celebrity Roasts:

You’ve probably seen them on TV or YouTube – those star-studded events where famous folks gather to laugh at themselves and each other. Celebrity roasts are all about poking fun at the rich and famous in a playful and often exaggerated way. Take,

For example , the legendary Comedy Central Roasts. They’ve roasted everyone from Donald Trump to Justin Bieber, with comedians delivering zingers left and right. These roasts are a mix of comedy and celebrity culture, offering viewers a chance to see their favorite stars in a new light.

2. Office Roasts:

Who says work has to be all business and no play? Office roasts bring colleagues together for a good laugh and some well-deserved ribbing.

Picture this : your boss is retiring after decades of service, and the office decides to send them off with a roast. Coworkers take turns sharing funny stories and inside jokes, all in good fun. It’s a chance to bond as a team and show appreciation for years of hard work.

3. Family Roasts:

Family gatherings are ripe for roasting, and no one is safe from a little good-natured teasing. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a birthday celebration, family roasts are a chance to laugh at the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make each member unique. Grandma’s famous meatloaf? Dad’s questionable dance moves? They’re all fair game. Just remember to keep it lighthearted and respectful – after all, family is forever.

4. Comedy Club Roasts:

If you’re a fan of stand-up comedy , you’ve probably been to a few roast battles at your local comedy club. These events pit comedians against each other in a battle of wits, with each one trying to out-funny the other. It’s a high-energy , fast-paced format that keeps audiences on their toes and laughing all night long. Just ask Jeff Ross , the “Roastmaster General” himself, who has made a career out of roasting everyone from criminals to fellow comedians.

5. Personal Roasts:

Last but not least, we have personal roasts – the kind you might write for a friend’s birthday or retirement party . These roasts are all about celebrating the individual and their unique quirks and qualities. Maybe your friend is known for their terrible cooking or their love of cheesy ’90s music. Whatever it is, a personal roast is a chance to lovingly tease and show appreciation for the person behind the jokes.

Now, you might be wondering why on earth anyone would want to subject themselves to being roasted . Well, believe it or not, being roasted is actually considered an honor in many circles. It shows that people care about you enough to spend time crafting jokes and stories just for you. To get a better idea of how roasts work, let’s take a look at some famous examples.

Think about those celebrity roasts you’ve seen on TV, where comedians gather to poke fun at a famous person. These events are not only hilarious but also serve to celebrate the achievements of the honoree in a light-hearted way.

At its core, the purpose of a roast is simple: to bring joy and laughter to everyone involved. Laughter has a unique way of bringing people together and breaking down barriers. When done right, a roast can create lasting memories and strengthen bonds between friends and family.

Selecting the right person to roast is like picking the perfect ingredient for a recipe; it sets the tone for the entire dish. When you’re considering who to honor with a roast, it’s crucial to choose someone who will embrace the humor and enjoy being in the spotlight. Consider those who are outgoing , confident , and can laugh at themselves . Remember, the goal is to celebrate the honoree, not embarrass them.

1. Know Your Honoree:

Before making your final decision, take some time to think about the person you have in mind. Reflect on their personality , interests , and how they handle humor . Are they the type of person who enjoys being teased affectionately, or do they prefer more serious celebrations?

2. Ensuring Comfort and Consent:

Once you’ve identified a potential honoree , it’s essential to gauge their comfort level with being roasted. Have an open conversation with them about the idea and make sure they’re on board with the concept. Reassure them that the roast will be lighthearted and affectionate , with the goal of bringing laughter and joy to everyone involved.

3. Why Choosing the Right Honoree Matters:

Sense of Humor: The ideal honoree for a roast should have a good sense of humor and be able to laugh at themselves. They should understand that the roast is all in good fun and not take any jokes too seriously.
Comfort with Attention: The honoree should be comfortable with being the center of attention . Roasts often involve a lot of playful teasing and banter, so it’s important that the honoree can handle being in the spotlight.
Respectful Relationship: There should be a level of mutual respect between the honoree and the roasters . While roasts are meant to be humorous, they should never cross the line into being hurtful or disrespectful.
Celebratory Spirit: The honoree should be someone worth celebrating. Whether it’s for their achievements, milestones, or simply their presence in the lives of those attending the roast, the honoree should be someone who is genuinely valued and appreciated by the guests.

4. How to Choose the Right Honoree:

Consider Their Personality: Think about the honoree’s personality and whether they would enjoy being roasted. Are they outgoing and fun-loving, or more reserved and private? Choose someone who will embrace the spirit of the roast and enjoy the experience.
Consult with Close Friends or Family: Get input from close friends or family members who know the honoree well. They can provide valuable insight into whether the honoree would be a good fit for a roast and offer suggestions for topics or jokes.
Assess Their Comfort Level: Have a candid conversation with the honoree about their comfort level with being roasted. Make sure they understand what the event entails and that they are on board with the idea before moving forward.
Ensure Mutual Respect: Lastly, confirm that there is a level of mutual respect between the honoree and the roasters. The jokes should be light-hearted and affectionate, never mean-spirited or hurtful.

Let’s break down how to structure your roast in a simple and effective way that will keep the laughs coming.

1. Opening Remarks: Set the Tone

Just like the first bite of a sandwich, your opening remarks should be appetizing. Start by welcoming everyone and introducing the guest of honor. You want to set a friendly and light-hearted tone right from the start. Think of it as the bread slices that hold everything together. Example: “Good evening, everyone! Welcome to our roast in honor of [Name]. We’re here tonight to celebrate this incredible person and have a lot of laughs along the way!”

2. Roast Segments: Bring on the Fillings

Now it’s time to layer on the humor! Divide your roast into segments, each focusing on a different aspect of the honoree’s life or personality. Think of these segments as the tasty fillings that give your sandwich its flavor. You can have segments about work , hobbies , funny habits anything that will get a laugh! Example: “For our first segment, let’s talk about [Name]’s time at the office. We all know they’re a hard worker, but did you know they have a secret stash of snacks hidden in their desk drawer?”

3. Transition Smoothly: Keep the Flow Going

Just like you wouldn’t want a sandwich with clunky, uneven layers, you don’t want your roast to feel disjointed. Use transition words and phrases to move smoothly from one segment to the next. This keeps the audience engaged and the laughter flowing. Example: “Now that we’ve had a taste of [Name]’s professional life, let’s dig into their personal hobbies. You won’t believe what I found out about their karaoke skills!”

4. Include Audience Interaction: Add Some Spice

A good sandwich needs a little extra kick, and audience interaction can provide just that. Invite guests to share their own stories or jokes about the honoree. This adds variety to your roast and keeps everyone involved and entertained. Example: “Before we move on to our next segment, I want to open the floor to anyone who has a funny story or memory they’d like to share about [Name]. Don’t be shy!”

5. Closing Remarks: Wrap It Up Nicely

As you reach the end of your roast, it’s time to tie everything together with a nice bow. Offer some final words of appreciation and well-wishes for the honoree. This leaves everyone with a warm and fuzzy feeling, like finishing off a delicious sandwich. Example: “As we wrap up tonight’s roast, I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us in celebrating [Name]. You truly are an amazing person, and we’re lucky to have you in our lives. Here’s to many more years of laughter and memories together!”

How to Write a Roast: Writing Humorous Material

When it comes to writing a roast , injecting humor into your material is key to keeping the audience engaged and entertained . But fear not, crafting funny content doesn’t have to be daunting! Here’s a simple guide to help you write humorous material that will have everyone rolling with laughter.

1. Know Your Audience:

Before you start brainstorming jokes, take a moment to consider who will be attending the roast. Are they friends , family , or colleagues ? What is their relationship with the honoree? Tailoring your humor to suit the audience’s tastes and sensibilities will ensure that your jokes hit the mark.

2. Find Inspiration:

Drawing inspiration from famous speeches and comedy routines can help jumpstart your creativity. Pay attention to their comedic timing , wordplay , and use of absurdity to elicit laughter. Some top funniest comedians : Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, Louis C.K, Trevor Noah, John Mulvaney, Sarah Silverman.

3. Use Everyday Observations:

One of the easiest ways to generate laughs is by pointing out the absurdities of everyday life. Look for quirks , habits , or idiosyncrasies of the honoree that you can playfully exaggerate for comedic effect.

For example , if the honoree is known for their love of coffee, you could joke about their caffeine addiction with lines like, “I’ve never seen anyone make a stronger cup of coffee than [Honoree]. They don’t need a mug, they need a fuel tank!”

4. Employ Wordplay and Puns:

Wordplay is a powerful tool in the arsenal of any humorist. Whether it’s a clever pun or a witty double entendre , wordplay adds an extra layer of amusement to your jokes.

For instance , if the honoree is a notorious workaholic, you could say, “They’re so dedicated to their job, they put the ‘work’ in ‘weekend’!”

5. Incorporate Anecdotes and Stories:

Personal anecdotes and funny stories about the honoree are goldmines for comedic material. Share memorable moments or embarrassing mishaps that highlight their endearing qualities and quirks . Just be sure to keep it light-hearted and avoid anything too embarrassing or sensitive.

6. Keep It Positive:

While roasts are all about poking fun, it’s important to keep the humor positive and affectionate . Avoid mean-spirited jokes or topics that could cause offense. Instead, focus on celebrating the honoree’s achievements , strengths , and unique personality traits .

7. Practice, Practice, Practice:

Once you’ve written your material, practice delivering it with confidence and enthusiasm . Pay attention to your timing , pacing , and delivery to ensure that your jokes land effectively. Rehearse in front of friends or family members and solicit feedback to fine-tune your performance.

8. Be Prepared to Adapt:

Remember that every audience is different , so be prepared to adapt your material on the fly based on their reactions. If a joke doesn’t elicit the desired response, don’t be afraid to improvise or move on to the next one. The key is to keep the energy high and the laughter flowing .

Executing the Roast: Bringing Your Roast to Life

Once you’ve written your roast, it’s time to bring it to the stage and make it shine. Executing a roast is all about setting the right atmosphere , engaging the audience , and delivering your jokes with confidence and flair . Let’s dive into how to execute your roast with style and grace.

1. Setting the Stage:

Before the roast begins, take a moment to set the stage for your audience. Make sure the venue is set up with comfortable seating and good visibility for all attendees. Consider adding some festive decorations or props to enhance the atmosphere and create a sense of excitement.

2. Engaging the Audience:

A great roast is as much about the audience as it is about the honoree. Keep the energy high by engaging the audience right from the start. Start with a warm welcome and some opening remarks to get everyone in the mood. Use humor and charm to connect with the audience and keep them entertained throughout the event.

3. Delivering Your Jokes:

When it comes time to deliver your jokes, confidence is key . Stand tall, speak clearly, and project your voice so that everyone can hear you. Use natural gestures and facial expressions to enhance your delivery and make your jokes land with maximum impact.

4. Timing and Pacing:

Timing is everything in comedy, and a roast is no exception. Pay attention to the pacing of your jokes and the flow of the event . Give the audience time to react and laugh before moving on to the next joke or segment. Use pauses and transitions to keep the momentum going and maintain the audience’s attention.

Sample Speech Example: Imagine you’re attending a retirement party for your coworker, Sarah. Here’s a sample roast speech to give you an idea of how it’s done: “Good evening, everyone! Tonight, we’re here to celebrate Sarah’s retirement, but before we send her off into the sunset, we couldn’t resist roasting her a little bit. Sarah, where do we even begin? From your legendary coffee addiction to your uncanny ability to always be fashionably late, you’ve certainly left your mark on this office. But in all seriousness, Sarah, we want to thank you for your years of hard work and dedication. You’ve been a mentor, a friend, and a constant source of laughter. We wish you all the best in your retirement, and we promise not to miss you too much (okay, maybe just a little). Cheers to you, Sarah!”

5. Wrapping Up:

As the roast comes to a close, take a moment to thank the honoree for being such a good sport and allowing everyone to poke fun at them in the name of celebration. Express gratitude to the audience for their laughter and support throughout the event. And finally, end on a positive note, wishing the honoree well in their retirement (or whatever the occasion may be) and looking forward to many more joyful moments together in the future.

In conclusion , learning how to write a roast to honor someone and have fun can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both the roster and the audience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a memorable and entertaining event that celebrates the honoree’s achievements and brings laughter to all involved. With these tips and examples in mind, you’re well-equipped to write a roast that will entertain , honor , and delight all those involved. So go ahead, pick up your pen (or keyboard), and start crafting a roast that will be remembered fondly for years to come. Happy roasting!

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We wish you all the best in your retirement, and we promise not to miss you too much (okay, maybe just a little). Cheers to you, Sarah!". 5. Wrapping Up: As the roast comes to a close, take a moment to thank the honoree for being such a good sport and allowing everyone to poke fun at them in the name of celebration.