Can AI help me write a eulogy?
Half. AI gives you a gentle structure and helps with wording when grief makes writing hard. The memories have to come from you, or it will sound generic.
01Why half-bot
- Structure is the hard part when you're grieving, and AI helps there.
- It can smooth wording and keep it to the right length.
- Only you know the stories that make it theirs.
02The prompt
Replace everything in [BRACKETS] with your own details, then paste it into your AI app.
Help me write a eulogy. About 3 minutes spoken (roughly 400 words). Their name and my relationship to them: [NAME, RELATIONSHIP] Three things they loved or were known for: [LIST] Two or three real stories or memories: [STORIES] Tone: [e.g. warm with a little light humor] Structure: opening, who they were, the stories, what they gave us, a closing line. Rules: use ONLY my stories and details. NEVER invent memories, quotes or facts about their life.
03Steps
- Give it your real memories.
- Rewrite any line in your own words.
- Read it aloud once and time it.
04What can go wrong
- Invented details can hurt family members who knew them. Check every line.
05What to use
06Our test runs
2 runs, each with a different made-up sample. 1 of 2 passed every check.
The made-up sample:
[NAME, RELATIONSHIP]Michael "Mike" Thompson, my older brother[LIST]1. Gardening, especially roses; 2. Saturday morning baseball games; 3. Telling witty dad jokes at family gatherings[STORIES]When I was ten, Mike taught me how to tie a fishing knot on a quiet lake; we spent the whole afternoon laughing as I tangled the line. Another memory is the time he surprised Mom with a homemade birthday cake shaped like a guitar, even though he could barely bake, and the whole family roared with delight. Finally, every summer he organized a neighborhood block‑party, where his famous lemonade stand became the unofficial meeting spot, and his jokes kept everyone smiling well into the night.[e.g. warm with a little light humor]warm and affectionate, with gentle humor that celebrates his love for life
- Use only provided stories and details
- Never invent memories, quotes, or facts
- Follow required structure (opening, who they were, stories, what they gave us, closing)
- Eulogy length roughly 400 words (427 words, counted by code)
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
I'll never forget the time Mike took me fishing when I was just ten years old. We spent a quiet afternoon by the lake, and he patiently taught me how to tie a fishing knot.
Read the full answer
Here's a eulogy for your brother Michael "Mike" Thompson: As we gather today to celebrate the life of my dear brother, Michael "Mike" Thompson, I'm reminded of the countless ways he touched our lives with his love, laughter, and generosity. Mike was a man with a heart of gold, and his presence in our family was a gift we cherished every day. Mike had a way of finding joy in the simple things, and his passions were a big part of what made him so special. He loved nothing more than tending to his garden, especially his beloved roses, which always seemed to bloom with vibrant colors and fragrance. On Saturday mornings, you could find him cheering on his favorite baseball team, and at family gatherings, he was always ready with a witty dad joke to make us laugh. I'll never forget the time Mike took me fishing when I was just ten years old. We spent a quiet afternoon by the lake, and he patiently taught me how to tie a fishing knot. I must have tangled the line a dozen times, but Mike just laughed and helped me start again. We spent hours laughing and enjoying each other's company, and it's a memory I'll always treasure. Another time, Mike surprised Mom with a homemade birthday cake shaped like a guitar. He wasn't exactly the next baking sensation, but the thought and effort he put into it made it all the more special. We all roared with delight as he presented it to her, and it's a moment that still brings a smile to my face. Every summer, Mike would organize a neighborhood block party, and his famous lemonade stand became the unofficial meeting spot. He'd tell jokes and make everyone laugh, and his infectious enthusiasm would keep the party going well into the night. These were more than just gatherings – they were a testament to Mike's ability to bring people together and make them feel welcome. Mike gave us so much more than just memories, though. He gave us a sense of community, a love for life, and a reminder to never take ourselves too seriously. He showed us that even the smallest moments can be filled with joy and laughter, and that's a lesson we'll carry with us always. As we say goodbye to this incredible man, I'll remember his bright smile, his generous heart, and his unwavering optimism. Mike may be gone, but his love, his laughter, and his legacy will live on in our hearts, and for that, we are forever grateful.
Check that no new factual details are added beyond the supplied memories.
The made-up sample (a messier one):
[NAME, RELATIONSHIP]June "Nana" Carter, my paternal grandmother who lived next door in the same town.[LIST]Baking her famous apple pies, tending the rose garden, and delighting us with exaggerated stories about her teenage years.[STORIES]I remember the summer she entered her double‑crust apple pie in the county fair; it won third place, and she proudly handed me a slice while insisting the judges loved the extra cinnamon. Another time, she rescued a stray dog that kept digging up her roses; she named him "Thorn" and taught us that patience can bloom even in chaos. Once, during a family reunion, she tried to teach us the "floss dance" and ended up stepping on her own dress, causing everyone to burst into laughter while she winked and said, "I’m still young at heart!"[e.g. warm with a little light humor]warm with a little light humor
- Use only provided stories and details, no invented facts
- Follow required structure: opening, who they were, stories, what they gave, closing
- Maintain warm tone with light humor
- Didn't make up details we never gave it
What came back (excerpt):
Here's a eulogy for June "Nana" Carter: As we gather today to celebrate the life of my beloved grandmother, June "Nana" Carter, I'm filled with a mix of sadness and gratitude.
Read the full answer
Here's a eulogy for June "Nana" Carter: As we gather today to celebrate the life of my beloved grandmother, June "Nana" Carter, I'm filled with a mix of sadness and gratitude. Nana was more than just a family member; she was a pillar of our community, a constant presence in our lives, and a source of love, laughter, and warmth. Nana was a woman of many talents and passions. She was famous for her baking, particularly her apple pies, which were always made with love and a special touch of extra cinnamon. Her rose garden was her pride and joy, a beautiful oasis that brought her peace and happiness. And, of course, who could forget her stories? Her tales of her teenage years were always exaggerated, always entertaining, and always left us in stitches. I have so many fond memories of Nana, but a few stand out in particular. I remember the summer she entered her double-crust apple pie in the county fair; it won third place, and she proudly handed me a slice while insisting the judges loved the extra cinnamon. I also recall the time she rescued a stray dog that kept digging up her roses; she named him "Thorn" and taught us that patience can bloom even in chaos. And then there was the time she tried to teach us the "floss dance" at a family reunion – she ended up stepping on her own dress, causing everyone to burst into laughter while she winked and said, "I’m still young at heart!" Nana gave us so much more than just these memories, though. She gave us a sense of community, a sense of belonging, and a sense of love that will stay with us forever. She showed us that life is to be lived with joy, with laughter, and with a heart full of love. As we say goodbye to this incredible woman, I'm reminded of the impact she had on our lives. Nana may be gone, but her legacy lives on in our hearts, and I know that she will always be with us, in spirit, with a warm smile, a twinkle in her eye, and a slice of apple pie in her hand.
Check that no new facts beyond the supplied memories are added.
How each run works: we fill the prompt with a made-up sample, run it once in Llama 3.3 70B, and GPT-OSS 120B grades the answer against the prompt's own rules. Word limits are counted by code, and every quote flagged as made up is checked against the full answer. Your results can differ. How we test.