A tribute to a friend who passed away is often asked for by the family, to print in the funeral programme or to read at the service. You knew a side of the person that the family did not always see. This guide helps you write a tribute to a late friend or colleague, and gives sample tributes and short messages you can copy and adapt.
What the family hopes to read
A tribute from a friend or colleague tells the family how the person was among other people: at school, at work, in the neighbourhood, in a club. Small true stories mean the most. They show the family that their loved one was valued.
Ask the family, or whoever is collecting tributes:
- How long should it be? About 100 to 200 words is usual for a friend or colleague.
- When is the deadline?
- Should it be from you alone, or from a group?
How to write a tribute to a late friend
- Say how you knew them. School, work, church, the street you grew up on, and for how long.
- Share one clear memory. Something they said or did that shows who they were.
- Name one or two qualities. Loyal, honest, cheerful, hard-working. Let the memory prove it.
- Say what you will miss.
- Speak to the family. One line of comfort.
- Say goodbye, and sign with your name and how you knew them.
Sample tributes to a friend who passed away
Replace the words in brackets with your own details.
Tribute to a close friend
(Name), my friend of (number) years,
We met at (school, work, place) in (year), and from that day we were rarely apart. You were at my wedding, and I was at yours. Our children call each other cousins.
You were the friend who told me the truth when I did not want to hear it, and stood beside me when it cost you something. When I lost my job, you came every evening and never once made me feel small.
I will miss your laugh, your long phone calls and your bad jokes. To (spouse's name) and the children: your (husband, wife, father, mother) was the best of friends, and you will not lack a family while I live.
Rest well, my friend.
(name), friend
Tribute to my best friend
My dear (name),
People say you choose your friends. I do not remember choosing you. You were simply there, from (the first day of school, the day I moved in), and you never left.
You knew everything about me and loved me anyway. You kept my secrets, lent me your clothes, and answered the phone at two in the morning. When good things happened to me, you were happier than I was.
I do not know how to do the rest of this without you. But you taught me how to be a friend, and I will try to be one to the people you loved.
Good night, my best friend. Thank you for all of it.
(name)
Tribute to a childhood friend
(Name),
We grew up on (street, village, compound) with one football and no shoes. We were beaten for the same mischief and fed from the same pot. Whatever we became later, to each other we were always those two boys.
Life took us to different towns, but a single phone call was enough to bring it all back. You never forgot where you came from, and you never forgot me.
Part of my childhood has gone with you. Rest well, my brother.
(name), friend from childhood
For a friend who died suddenly
(Name), I am still waiting for you to call. We spoke on (day), and we made plans for (something). I did not know it was goodbye.
You filled every room you entered. You never held a grudge, and you never passed a person in need. I cannot make sense of losing you so soon, but I am thankful that I knew you.
Sleep well. You are not forgotten.
Tribute to a classmate or schoolmate
We, the (year) set of (school), remember our classmate (name) with love. (He, She) sat in the (front, back) row and made every lesson lighter. (He, She) was the one who shared notes before exams and food after them.
(He, She) stayed in touch with all of us long after we left school, and never missed a reunion. Our set is not complete without (him, her).
Rest in peace, dear classmate.
(name), for the (year) set
Sample tributes to a colleague
Tribute to a colleague
I worked with (name) at (workplace) for (number) years. (He, She) was the first to arrive and often the last to leave, and (he, she) never asked anyone to do what (he, she) would not do.
(He, She) trained many of us. When I joined as a (junior post), (he, she) took time to show me the work and never took the credit. (His, Her) desk was where everyone went with a problem.
The office is quieter without (him, her). On behalf of all who worked beside (him, her), I offer our deep sympathy to the family. We have lost a good colleague, and you have lost far more.
Rest in peace.
(name), (job title), (workplace)
Tribute to a boss or mentor
(Title and name) was my (manager, principal, head of department) for (number) years, and my teacher for longer than that. (He, She) believed in people before they believed in themselves.
(He, She) was firm about the work and gentle with the worker. When I made a serious mistake in (year), (he, she) corrected me in private and defended me in public. I have tried to lead in the same way ever since.
Many of us owe our careers to (him, her). We thank the family for sharing (him, her) with us.
A tribute from an office, a class or a group
The management and staff of (organisation), or the (year) set of (school), or the members of (club), received with great sadness the news of the passing of our (colleague, classmate, member), (title and full name).
(He, She) joined us in (year) and served as (roles held). (He, She) will be remembered for (two qualities), and for (one thing they did for the group).
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, and we pray that God will comfort you.
Signed, (name and office), for and on behalf of the group
Check the facts with the organisation's records before sending a group tribute, and have its leader approve it.
20 short tributes to a late friend
Use one of these when the programme gives each person only a few lines, or for a card, a condolence book or a post online.
To a close friend
- You were the friend everyone hopes for and few find. Thank you for (number) years. Rest well.
- I have lost the person who knew my whole story. Sleep well, my friend.
- You showed up, every time. I will try to do the same for your family. Rest in peace.
- No one laughed like you. The world is quieter now. Good night, (name).
- Friends like you are family we are allowed to choose. Thank you for choosing me.
- You never let a week pass without calling. I will miss the sound of my phone. Rest well.
- We said we would grow old together. I will carry your share of the memories. Sleep on.
After a sudden loss
- I was not ready, and I do not think I ever would have been. Rest well, my friend.
- We had plans. I will keep the ones I can, for you.
- Gone too soon, and missed already. Sleep well, (name).
- I still have your last message. I will not delete it. Good night.
To a colleague
- A good colleague and a better person. The office will not be the same. Rest in peace.
- You made hard days at work easier for all of us. Thank you, (name).
- You taught me the job and never asked for thanks. I am thanking you now. Rest well.
- We have lost the one who held the team together. Sleep well.
- Your work was always done well, and done with a smile. We will miss you.
Short and simple
- Rest in peace, my friend. You are not forgotten.
- Thank you for your friendship. Till we meet again.
- A true friend, gone home. Sleep well.
- Forever in our hearts, (name).
Words to choose with care
- Use the name the family is using, with the same titles.
- Keep private things private. Do not share stories the family may not know, or would not want printed.
- Do not mention the cause of death unless the family has.
- Avoid jokes that need explaining. A light memory is welcome. A joke that falls flat in print is not.
- Be truthful. Praise only what you saw.
If you will read it aloud
Ask the family or the master of ceremonies where the tributes come and how long you have. Two minutes is plenty. Print it in large type, read slowly, and look up at the family once or twice.
Questions people ask
How do you write a tribute to a friend who passed away?
Say how you knew them and for how long, share one clear memory, name one or two qualities the memory shows, say what you will miss, and end with a word to the family. About 100 to 200 words is enough for a printed tribute.
What do you say in a short tribute to a late friend?
One or two true sentences. For example: "You were the friend who showed up, every time. Thank you for (number) years. Rest well." A short tribute is right for a card, a condolence book or a post online.
How long should a tribute from a friend be?
For the funeral programme, 100 to 200 words. If you are asked to speak at the service, keep to two minutes, which is about 250 words.
Can I mention funny memories in a tribute?
Yes, if they are kind and easy to understand. A light memory shows who the person was. Leave out anything that would embarrass the family or needs a long explanation.
What should I write on behalf of a group or office?
Say who you are as a group, how the person served among you, two qualities and one thing they did for the group, and offer condolences to the family. Have the head of the group approve it and sign it.
For the family's own pages, see how to write a tribute, tribute to my late mother and tribute to my late father. For a church or society, see tribute from a church to a member.
Send your tribute by link with Homegoing
Families who use Homegoing share one link for tributes. You open it on your phone, type or paste your tribute, add your name and how you knew the person, and send. It goes straight into the funeral programme. Start a programme