The Shortest Eulogies Ever Written (And Why They Worked)
- Gary Michaels
- Apr 14
- 7 min read
Eulogies are often seen as a final tribute, a way to honour and remember someone who has passed away.
Traditionally, and at least the ones I write for my clients, are heartfelt speeches written to recount the life, achievements and character of the deceased.
However, not all eulogies need to be lengthy to be impactful. In fact, some of the most memorable eulogies are remarkably short, yet they resonate just as deeply with their audience.
The Shortest Eulogies Ever Written
When it comes to eulogies, there’s a common belief that longer equals better - that a comprehensive life deserves a comprehensive farewell, but I don't think that's necessarily the case. Some of the most impactful eulogies in history have been remarkably short.
Just as the most powerful poetry can be delivered in a handful of lines, a short eulogy can strike directly at the heart of grief, memory and love without needing to fill every silence.
Brevity in a eulogy is not about cutting corners; it’s about distilling the essence of a person’s life into words that linger.
A well-crafted short eulogy captures the emotional weight of a full life while leaving room for reflection.
With this blog I wanted to explore the art of brevity in eulogies, examining some of the shortest eulogies ever written throughout history for and by some amazing people. I'll also explain why I think they worked so well.
I’ll also look at how you can craft a short but meaningful eulogy that honours your loved one should that be the position in which you find yourself.
The Essence of a Eulogy
Before diving into examples, it’s important to understand what a eulogy is meant to achieve.
As a professional eulogy writer, I believe that a eulogy should serve three main purposes:
Honour the deceased by paying tribute to the person who has passed away, celebrating their life and legacy.
Provide comfort and offer solace to those grieving by highlighting the positive impact the deceased had on others.
Create connections and help those in attendance feel connected to the deceased and to each other through shared memories and emotions.
While these goals can be achieved perfectly through a lengthy speech, they can also be accomplished with just a few well-chosen words.
Brevity, when done right, can actually amplify the emotional impact of a eulogy, making it more poignant and memorable.
Examples of Short But Impactful Eulogies
1. Winston Churchill’s Eulogy for Neville Chamberlain
Sir Winston Churchill, well known for his eloquence, delivered a remarkably short eulogy for Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime Minister who preceded him.
Chamberlain, who is often remembered for his policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany, was a fairly controversial figure.
Churchill’s eulogy was brief but powerful. It included this:
"The only guide to a man is his conscience; the only shield to his memory is the rectitude and sincerity of his actions. It is very imprudent to walk through life without this shield, because we are so often mocked by the failure of our hopes and the upsetting of our calculations; but with this shield, however the fates may play, we march always in the ranks of honour."
Churchill’s eulogy was concise yet profound. He acknowledged Chamberlain’s intentions and the complexity of his legacy without delving into lengthy explanations or justifications.
The brevity of the eulogy allowed the audience to reflect on Chamberlain’s actions and their consequences, making it a thought-provoking tribute.
Incidentally, I wrote my own eulogy for Sir Winston Churchill on my Substack to commemorate Remembrance Day 2024. It's linked here if you'd like to read it.
2. John F. Kennedy’s Eulogy for Robert Frost
When poet Robert Frost passed away, President John F. Kennedy delivered a eulogy that was both brief and deeply moving:
"He had promises to keep and miles to go before he slept, and now he sleeps. He has gone to join the great company of those who have enriched our lives and our language. We are the poorer for his death, but the richer for his life."
Kennedy’s eulogy was poetic and succinct. By referencing Frost’s own words, he created a connection between the poet’s life and his work.
The brevity of the eulogy allowed the audience to focus on the essence of Frost’s contributions, making it a fitting tribute to a man who valued the power of words.
3. Mark Twain’s Eulogy for His Daughter
Mark Twain, known for his wit and humour, delivered a heartbreakingly short eulogy for his daughter, Susy Clemons, who died at the age of 24 from spinal meningitis.
"Wheresoever she was, there was Eden."
Twain’s eulogy was devastating in its simplicity. In just six words, he captured the profound love and loss he felt for his daughter.
The brevity of the eulogy made it all the more powerful, as it conveyed a depth of emotion that words alone could not fully express.
Incidentally, in 2010, an unpublished document written by Twain was discovered, shedding new light on his profound grief over the death of his daughter, Susy.
The document, a heartfelt and raw reflection, revealed Twain’s struggle to come to terms with her passing. In it, he described her as the embodiment of purity and joy, writing:
"She was my superior, morally and intellectually; she was my master, and I was her slave."
This private writing, whilst never intended for public eyes, underscores the depth of his love and the anguish of his loss that obviously goes beyond the six word eulogy.
As I've shown earlier, his public eulogy for Susy was achingly brief, but this unpublished document provides a fuller picture of the emotional turmoil behind those six simple words.
It serves as a poignant reminder that even the shortest eulogies can carry the weight of an ocean of unspoken grief and love.
4. Queen Elizabeth II’s Eulogy for the Victims of 9/11
Whilst not a eulogy for a specific person, in the aftermath of the horrendous September 11 terrorist attacks on the USA, Queen Elizabeth II delivered a short but poignant eulogy during a memorial service at St. Paul’s Cathedral:
"Grief is the price we pay for love."
Like Twain, the Queen’s eulogy was a single sentence, yet it encapsulated the universal experience of loss.
The brevity of the statement allowed it to resonate with people around the world, offering comfort and understanding in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
The Art of Crafting a Short but Meaningful Eulogy
While I hope these examples demonstrate the power of brevity, crafting a short eulogy that resonates requires careful thought and consideration.
Here are my five tips for creating a brief but impactful eulogy:
1. Focus on the Essence
A short eulogy should capture the essence of the person being honoured. Instead of trying to cover every aspect of their life, focus on what made them unique.
Think about things like:
What were their defining characteristics?
What did they mean to you and to others?
By honing in on these key elements, you can create a eulogy that is both concise and meaningful.
2. Use Powerful Language
When you have fewer words to work with, each word carries more weight.
Choose your language carefully, opting for words that evoke strong emotions and vivid imagery. Metaphors, similes and other literary devices can help you convey complex ideas in a succinct manner.
3. Incorporate Personal Anecdotes
Even in a short eulogy, a personal anecdote can add depth and resonance.
Share a specific memory or story that illustrates the person’s character or the impact they had on your life. A well-chosen anecdote can speak volumes, even if it’s just a few sentences long.
4. Reference Their Own Words
If the person you’re eulogising was known for their words - whether through writing, speeches, or even casual conversation - consider incorporating their own words into the eulogy.
This can create a powerful connection between the eulogy and the person’s life, as seen earlier in Kennedy’s eulogy for Robert Frost.
5. End with a Thought-Provoking Statement
A short eulogy can be made even more impactful by ending with a thought-provoking statement or question. This encourages the audience to reflect on the person’s life and legacy, leaving a lasting impression.
The Emotional Impact of Brevity
One of the reasons short eulogies can be so powerful is because that they leave room for the audience’s own emotions and reflections.
A lengthy eulogy, while well-intentioned, can sometimes overwhelm the listener with information. In contrast, a brief eulogy allows the audience to fill in the gaps with their own memories and feelings, creating a more personal and emotional experience.
Brevity also has a way of cutting through the noise, getting straight to the heart of the matter. In moments of grief, people often appreciate clarity and simplicity. A short eulogy can provide that clarity, offering comfort and solace without unnecessary elaboration.
The PostScript
The Lasting Impact of a Few Well-Chosen Words
In a world where we are often encouraged to say more, the shortest eulogies remind us of the power of saying less.
Whether it’s Churchill’s reflection on honour, Kennedy’s poetic tribute, Twain’s heartbreaking simplicity or the late Queen’s universal truth, these eulogies demonstrate that brevity can be just as meaningful, if not more so, than a lengthy speech.
When crafting a eulogy, remember that it’s not about the number of words you use, but the depth of emotion and meaning you convey.
By focusing on the essence of the person, using powerful language and leaving room for reflection, you can create a eulogy that honours your loved one in a way that is both brief and profoundly impactful.
In the end, as I hope I've shown, the shortest eulogies often leave the longest-lasting impressions, proving that sometimes, less really is more.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post, I hope you enjoyed it and that it showed how brevity can still create a poignant eulogy. If you've got any feedback, please let me know in the comments below.
If you do need a bespoke eulogy writing following the loss of your loved one, whether it's a short one or not, then please get in touch.
I can write beautiful eulogies from scratch based on information you provide or even edit ones you already have written to give them a professional polish. If you want to take control of your own eulogy, I can also work with you to write your living eulogy. All information on this website.
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