How to Write a Eulogy for Your Granddad - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for your granddad often feels impossible and important at the same time. Granddads tend to be full of stories and small rituals. You want to honor him, share something true, and do it in a way that feels like him. This guide gives a clear method, easy templates, and real examples you can adapt. We explain terms you might hear and give delivery tips that actually help when you are nervous.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone tasked with speaking about their granddad at a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. Maybe you were the obvious choice because you lived closest to him. Maybe you are the family storyteller. Maybe your relationship was complicated. That is okay. There are sample scripts for heartfelt, funny, short, and complicated needs.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors someone who has died. It is usually part of a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. The eulogy is personal. It tells a story. It is not an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that lists facts such as birth and death dates, survivors, and service details. The eulogy is allowed to be imperfect and real.

Terms you might see or hear

• Obituary A published notice about a death that usually includes biographical details and service information.
• Order of service The schedule for a funeral or memorial listing the sequence of readings, music, and speakers.
• Pallbearer A person who helps carry the casket. They are often close family members or friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and good memories rather than rituals.
• Funeral director The professional who helps plan and run the funeral or memorial event.
• Viewing A time when people can see the deceased before the funeral, sometimes with the casket open.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end of life. Hospice care can happen at home or in a facility.
• RSVP An abbreviation of the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. It is used on invitations to ask people to confirm attendance.

How long should a eulogy for your granddad be

Short and focused works best. Aim for three to seven minutes. That usually equals about 400 to 800 spoken words. If many people will speak, keep your remarks toward the shorter side so the service stays on time. If you are nervous about crying, a shorter piece that says one or two strong things can be more powerful than a long ramble.

Before you start writing

A little planning saves a lot of stress. Follow this quick checklist.

• Check with family or the officiant Confirm how long you are expected to speak and where your eulogy fits in the order of service.
• Pick the tone Do you want solemn, funny, celebratory, or a mix? Check with close family so the tone fits your granddad and the audience.
• Gather memories Ask siblings or cousins for one memory each. Small, specific stories are gold.
• Choose three focus points Pick three things you want people to remember about him. Three keeps the speech shaped and memorable.
• Decide logistics Will you read from paper, index cards, or a phone? Arrange a microphone if needed.

Structure that actually works

Use a simple shape to keep your words focused and easy to follow.

• Opening Say your name and relationship to your granddad. Offer a one sentence idea that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of his life in plain strokes. Focus on roles like veteran, gardener, mechanic, or grandparent rather than a full biography.
• Anecdotes Share one or two short stories that show who he was. Keep them specific and sensory.
• What he taught Sum up the lessons he passed on or the ways people will remember him.
• Closing Offer a short goodbye line, a favorite quote, or a call to action like lighting a candle or sharing a memory.

Writing the opening

The opening gets you and the audience settled. Start with your name and your relationship to your granddad. Then say one true sentence about him. You can keep it simple. Practicing that first line will give you a steady place to begin when you are nervous.

Opening examples you can borrow

• Hello. I am Jess and I am Sam s granddaughter. My granddad taught me how to fix a bike with duct tape and patience.
• Hi everyone. I m Tom and I am Nate s grandson. Grandpa loved early mornings, black coffee, and telling terrible knock knock jokes.
• Good afternoon. I am Aisha, his granddaughter. He called everyone friend and he made a mean pot of chili that could cure any bad mood.

How to write the life sketch

The life sketch is not a full biography. Pick the facts that help tell the story you want to tell. Use plain language and avoid a laundry list of jobs. Think about the roles he played that shaped his life and yours.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born in [place] in [year]. He worked as a [job] and later did [hobby or role]. He married [partner] and together they raised [kids or family note]. He was a grandfather to [names or count] and loved [hobby].
• [Name] moved to [city] when he was [age]. He loved [hobby], kept an excellent vegetable garden, and had a habit of always having a spare pair of socks in his pocket.

Anecdotes that actually land

Stories stick. Pick anecdotes that are short, sensory, and have a payoff. A good story has a setup, an action, and a line that tells why it matters.

Short anecdote examples

• When I was seven he taught me to fish. He told me the best part was not the fish but the quiet between us. I still go to that bench when I need to think.
• He had a superpower for remembering birthdays. If you told him once he never forgot. He would show up with a slice of cake and a ridiculous card he bought at the last minute.
• Grandpa could fix anything with tape and good intent. He patched my bike so well it outlived two more children who rode it after me.

Using humor the right way

Humor can give people permission to breathe. Use small, earned jokes that come from the person s real habits. Avoid anything that could embarrass family members or feel cruel. Test jokes with a close friend first.

Safe humor examples

• He had two speeds: asleep or awake at three a m worrying about the neighbor s cat. He loved that cat like a tiny wise roommate.
• Granddad taught us to be thrifty. He called thrift stores treasure hunts and his pockets a museum of lost receipts.

Addressing complicated relationships

If your relationship with your granddad was complex you can still be honest and respectful. You do not need to air private grievances in public. Acknowledge difficulty and point to lessons learned or moments of reconciliation. Short and true beats long and performative.

Examples for complicated relationships

• Our relationship was not perfect. He was stubborn and I was stubborn back. In the last few years we found a quieter way to be together. I am grateful for those small repairs.
• He made mistakes. He also showed up when it mattered. I choose to remember the ways he tried and the lessons I took from him.

What to avoid in a eulogy

• Avoid using the eulogy as a therapy session or a place for family disputes.
• Avoid unfiltered gossip or private family secrets that could hurt people present.
• Avoid long lists of achievements without stories that make them human.
• Avoid clichés like he always knew best unless you immediately give a concrete example that makes it true.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Example 1: Warm and steady, 3 to 4 minute version

Hello. I m Megan and I am James s granddaughter. Grandpa James was born in a small town by the river and learned to row before he could walk properly. He worked as a carpenter and built things that lasted because he believed in doing the small stuff really well.

One small story that shows who he was happened when I was twelve. I called him in a panic because I had a school project due and no glue. He showed up within the hour with a whole toolbox and a grin. He spent the afternoon teaching me to measure twice and cut once and he helped me make the project look like it was made by someone who cared. He taught me that attention to detail is a form of love.

He loved his garden, his coffee black, and his Sundays at the diner where everyone knew his order. He was steady. He was funny in a dry way. He taught us how to show up. We will miss his hands that fixed things and the small rituals that made him who he was. Thank you for being here to remember him with us.

Example 2: Short modern eulogy under two minutes

Hi everyone. I m Leo and I am Nora s grandson. Grandpa loved old records, terrible puns, and a good nap. He taught me to keep curiosity alive and to say hello to strangers. I am thankful for the afternoons we spent in his garage learning how to tinker. Today we celebrate his life and the small ways he made ours better.

Example 3: Complicated relationship, honest and respectful

My name is Ana. My granddad and I did not always understand each other. He came from a different time and he had habits that tested my patience. In the last few years we found a way to laugh about the things that once divided us. He taught me resilience and he also taught me how to forgive. I am grateful for the times we sat on his porch and he finally listened. Thank you, Grandpa, for those patient afternoons.

Example 4: Celebration of life with humor

Hello. I am Mark and I am his grandson. If you knew my granddad you know he lived by two rules. Rule one was always bring snacks. Rule two was if you can t fix it with a little tape then you are not trying hard enough. He left behind a stash of candy bars and a roll of duct tape that will become family legend. We laugh and we cry and we celebrate the way he loved loudly and messily. Eat some cake with us. Tell a story. That is how we honor him today.

Example 5: Military service mention with respect

Good morning. I m David and I am his grandson. Grandpa served in the military and he carried that experience quietly. He taught me discipline and how to appreciate a small kindness. After service he became a teacher of sorts at the local community center where he volunteered for years. He taught kids how to fix bicycles and how to show up on time. His service shaped him but it did not define him. He was defined by how he treated people day to day.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates as a skeleton. Replace brackets and then read aloud and edit until it sounds like you.

Template A: Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Granddad s Name] [grandson granddaughter grandchild]. [Granddad s Name] was born in [place or year]. He worked as [job] and loved [hobby]. One memory that captures who he was is [brief story]. He taught me [value or lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here and for holding his memory with us.

Template B: For complicated relationships

My name is [Your Name]. My relationship with [Granddad s Name] was complicated. We disagreed about [small example] and we argued about [small thing]. Over time I learned to appreciate [something positive]. In the last [months years] we [reconciled found peace shared laughs]. If I could say one thing to him now it would be [short line].

Template C: Light and funny with sincerity

Hi. I am [Your Name]. To know [Granddad s Name] was to know that [quirky habit]. He also taught us practical things like [skill]. My favorite memory is [funny brief story]. He made us laugh and he made us better at [mundane task]. I will miss his jokes and the way he folded his socks like it was a piece of art. Thank you.

Practical delivery tips

Speaking while grieving is hard. These tactics keep you steady.

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper is less likely to betray you than a phone that could ring or die.
• Use cue cards Small index cards with one or two lines each are easy to handle and they reduce the chance of losing your place.
• Mark pauses Put a bracket where you want to breathe or where a laugh will land. Pauses let you regroup and help the audience process.
• Practice out loud Read the eulogy to a friend, to your dog, or into your phone recorder. Practice tells your throat what to expect.
• Bring tissues and water Hydration helps your voice and tissues help with the obvious.
• Ask for backup If you think you might not finish, arrange for a friend or family member to introduce you and to be ready to step in.
• Mic technique Keep the microphone a few inches from your mouth and speak at a normal volume. If there is no mic project to the back without shouting.

If you cry while reading

Tears are normal. Pause, breathe, take a sip of water, and continue when you can. If your voice breaks slow down. Saying fewer words more slowly often feels more honest. People in the audience will wait and they will be kind.

How to include readings, poems, or music

Short readings work best. Choose a two to four line excerpt instead of a very long poem. Confirm the officiant is comfortable with the piece. If music is included pick songs your granddad loved or songs that fit the event tone. Place music where it supports the speech such as before or after your remarks.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director if you will need a microphone or printed copies.
• Confirm where you will stand. Some venues ask you to stand at a lectern or at the front pew.
• Give a copy of your speech to the person running the order of service so they can add it to the program or memory book if that is desired.

After the eulogy

People will often ask for a copy. Offer to email it to family and friends. Many families like to include the eulogy in a printed program or memory book. You can also record the audio and share it privately. If you post a recording online check with family first to respect privacy.

Checklist before you step up to speak

• Confirm your time limit with the family or officiant.
• Print your speech and bring a backup copy.
• Practice at least three times out loud.
• Mark emotional beats and pause points in your copy.
• Bring tissues and a bottle of water if allowed.
• Tell someone you might need a moment and arrange a signal if you want them to finish for you.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who has died.
• Obituary A written notice that announces a death and usually includes service details.
• Order of service The plan for the funeral or memorial listing the sequence of events.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to carry the casket. They are usually family or close friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that often focuses on stories and photos rather than rituals.
• Funeral director The professional who helps plan and run the funeral or memorial.
• Viewing A time when people can see the deceased before the funeral.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end of life. This care can take place at home or in a facility.
• RSVP This is an abbreviation for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. It is used on invitations to ask people to confirm attendance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Start with your name and your relationship to your granddad. A short opener like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I am [Granddad s Name] grandson gives the audience context and buys you a breath. Practice that opening until it feels familiar. It will steady you at the microphone.

What if I forget my place or start crying

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment take it. People will wait. If you cannot continue have a designated person ready to finish a short line for you. Keeping your speech short and having a backup plan helps a lot.

Should I include religious language if my granddad was not religious

Only if it was meaningful to him or the family. If religion was not central choose secular language that honors memory and values. A short poem or reading that fits the family s beliefs is a good option.

How do I balance humor and respect

Use humor that is rooted in real memory and that the audience will likely appreciate. Avoid jokes that might embarrass or exclude people. Follow a joke with a sincere line to reconnect the tone. Humor can open hearts and make grief feel manageable when used well.

Can I read the eulogy from my phone

Yes. But make sure the device is on silent, the screen is bright enough for the venue, and the battery will hold up. Many people prefer printed pages because they feel more reliable when emotions run high.

How long should my eulogy be

Three to seven minutes is a solid target. Short remarks are more memorable. If multiple people will speak coordinate timing with the family so the service stays on schedule.