A method for manufacturing a light emitting device includes preparing a light emitting element that includes a light transmissive substrate comprising a first main surface, a second main surface, and a side surface having a light transmitting part and a light absorbing part whose optical transmissivity is lower than that of the light transmitting part, and a semiconductor laminate that is provided to the first main surface of the light transmissive substrate, joining the light emitting element to an upper surface of a base body such that the base body is opposite to the side where the semiconductor laminate is provided, providing a support member that covers the side surface of the light emitting element and part of the base body, and removing the light absorbing part by thinning the light transmissive substrate from the second main surface side.