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

Writing a eulogy for your grandpa feels heavy and also oddly necessary. You want to honor him, tell stories that make people smile or cry in the right places, and get through speaking without losing your place. This guide gives a clear process, relatable examples you can adapt, and practical delivery tips. We explain terms you might not know and include templates you can steal and personalize.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone tasked with speaking about their grandpa at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, graveside service, or wake. Maybe you were the grandchild who called him most often. Maybe you shared a hobby with him. Maybe you had a complicated relationship. All of those situations are valid. There are sample scripts for sentimental, funny, short, and complicated needs.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors a person who has died. It usually happens during a funeral or memorial service. A eulogy is not an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that gives basic facts like birth date, survivors, and service information. A eulogy is personal. It tells a story. Imperfection is okay.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A published notice about a death that usually includes biographical details and service information.
• Order of service The list or program that shows the sequence of readings, music, and speakers at a funeral.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to help carry the casket. They are typically close relatives or friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and memories rather than strict ritual.
• Officiant The person who leads the funeral or memorial service. This could be a clergy person, celebrant, or a family friend.
• Hospice Care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end. It can be provided at home or in a facility.

How long should a eulogy for a grandpa be

Short and focused usually works best. Aim for three to seven minutes. That is roughly 400 to 800 spoken words. If several people will speak, confirm a time limit so the service does not run long. A short, honest tribute often lands harder than a long ramble.

Before you start writing

Getting organized takes pressure off your nerves. Use this quick plan to gather material and decide tone.

• Ask about time Check with the family or officiant how long you are expected to speak and where your eulogy fits in the order of service.
• Decide the tone Do you want the mood to be tender, funny, celebratory, or a mix? Ask a close family member to confirm the tone fits the person and the audience.
• Gather stories Ask siblings, cousins, and friends for one memory each. Collect nicknames, favorite foods, odd habits, and signature phrases your grandpa used.
• Pick three focus points Choose three main things you want people to remember about him. Three is a manageable number and gives your speech shape.
• Decide logistics Confirm whether you will use a microphone, have printed programs, or want a short photo slide to play before or after your remarks.

Structure that actually works

Use a simple shape that makes it easy for listeners and for you. This structure is flexible and keeps your words organized.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to your grandpa. Offer one clear sentence about what you will say.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of his life in practical strokes. Focus on roles like veteran, craftsman, gardener, or storyteller.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character. Keep them specific and sensory.
• Traits and lessons Summarize the values he passed on or the things people will miss.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, short poem excerpt, or a call to action like sharing a quick memory with neighbors after the service.

How to choose the right tone

Grandpas come in many flavors. Some were jokers who loved a good practical joke. Some were quiet pillars. Some were a mix. Match the tone to his personality and the family dynamic. If you are unsure, aim for warm sincerity with a touch of light humor if appropriate.

Tone examples

• Warm and sentimental for a grandpa who loved tradition and family rituals.
• Playful and funny for a grandpa who told jokes and enjoyed teasing his grandkids.
• Respectful and straightforward for a grandpa who was stoic and practical.
• Honest and complex for relationships that were strained but still had important lessons.

Gathering stories that matter

People remember short stories more than lists. Ask for precise memories that show who he was. Good stories have a setup, an action, and a tiny payoff that explains why the story matters.

Story prompts to ask family and friends

• What was his favorite ritual or routine?
• What nickname did he have and how did it start?
• What was a surprising skill or hobby he loved?
• What is one small moment that shows his character?
• What did he always say when someone was leaving the house?

Anecdote examples you can adapt

Short anecdotes make a eulogy feel alive.

• When I was seven he taught me to fish. He did not care if I caught a thing. He cared that I learned to sit quietly and mind the bobber. That lesson is why I can be patient when it matters.
• He had a rule about coffee. If the pot was full you did not touch it without permission. We respected that rule and we still joke about his mug being sacred territory.
• Grandpa loved to fix things. Once he spent a whole afternoon repairing a toy truck for a neighbor boy rather than watching the game. He said the grin on that kid s face was worth more than a score.

How to handle a complicated relationship

If your relationship with your grandpa was complicated, you can still speak honestly and with dignity. You do not need to air private grievances. Mention complexity briefly and then focus on one or two real lessons or reconciliations.

Lines for a complicated relationship

• Our relationship was not simple. We had disagreements, but in the end he taught me the value of showing up even when it is hard.
• He was strict and he pushed me. It was tough then and useful later. I am learning to take the good without repeating the harm.
• We found a small peace in his last months. He said he was proud of me. Those words will stay with me.

Safe ways to use humor

Humor is like a breath in a crowded room if it is earned. Use short, kind, true jokes that make people nod rather than cringe. Avoid anything that might embarrass family members or the person who has died.

Funny but safe examples

• He was the only man I knew who could fall asleep in a chair with his shoes on and still wake up on time. We called that talent professional napping.
• Grandpa took pride in his lawn. He watered it like it was a prized pet. We mowed more for moral support than necessity.

What to avoid in a eulogy

• Avoid long lists of achievements without stories to make them human.
• Avoid gossip or private family disagreements that would hurt people present.
• Avoid clichés without a specific detail that makes them true.
• Avoid trying to be clever at the expense of sincerity.

Full example eulogies you can adapt

Below are complete examples that follow the structure above. Replace bracketed text with your details and trim to your time limit.

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

Hello everyone. My name is Jenna and I am Tom s granddaughter. Thank you for being here to remember my grandpa, Tom.

Tom grew up in a small town and spent most of his life building furniture and helping neighbors fix things. He loved Sunday pancakes, baseball, and telling the same story about meeting my grandmother each year with a new detail he swore he had never mentioned before. He worked with his hands and loved with his whole self.

One small memory that captures him is how he handled storms. When the power went out he would light a candle and tell us about how as a kid he learned to be brave in the dark. He did not make a show of courage. He simply carried a flashlight and handed it to people who needed it. That was him. Practical, steady, reliable.

He taught me how to measure twice and cut once and how to apologize when I was wrong. We will miss his laugh, his stubborn advice, and the way he made every meal feel like an event. Please join me in remembering one small way he made your life better and then take a moment after the service to share that memory with someone here. Thank you.

Example 2: Short and modern under two minutes

Hi. I am Alex, his grandson. Grandpa loved coffee strong, crossword puzzles, and cheering for the team even when they were terrible. He taught me to keep a pocket knife and to ask for help when life felt stuck. Thanks for coming to celebrate his life with us.

Example 3: Funny and tender

Hello. I am Sam, his grandson. If you ever visited his house you knew two things. One, the thermostat was set to a temperature that felt like a hug. Two, he kept a drawer full of mystery tools that solved every problem except lost socks. He had a habit of offering advice he did not mean to give and a laugh that let you know everything was going to be okay. We will miss his jokes and his insistence that dessert counts as breakfast. Thank you for being here.

Example 4: Honest and reflective for a complicated relationship

My name is Maya. My relationship with Grandpa was complicated. He expected a lot and sometimes I resented that. Over time I understood he wanted to prepare me for a world that can be unkind. In his last year we had conversations that I will carry forward. He taught me resilience and the value of saying sorry. I am grateful for that learning even when it came in imperfect ways.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to get started. Fill in the brackets and then edit to make it sound like you.

Template A Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Grandpa s Name] grandchild. [Grandpa s Name] was born in [place or year]. He loved [hobby], worked as [job or role], and was the person we called when [small habit]. One memory that shows the kind of person 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 supporting our family.

Template B Light and funny

Hi. I am [Your Name]. To know [Grandpa s Name] was to know [quirky habit]. He also made sure we learned [life practical skill]. My favorite memory is [funny small story]. Even his grumbles had a soft heart behind them. I will miss his voice and the way he insisted that every tool deserves a second chance.

Template C For complicated relationships

My name is [Your Name]. My relationship with [Grandpa s Name] was complicated. We had our differences about [small example]. Over the years I learned [something positive]. In his last months we [reconciled had a conversation found peace]. If I could say one thing now it would be [short line you want to say].

Practical tips for delivery

Speaking while grieving is hard. These tactics help you stay steady and readable.

• Print your speech Use large font so you do not have to squint. Paper is reliable when your phone battery is low or you get shaky hands.
• Use index cards Put one idea per card and use bullet points. Cards are easier to handle than a long page if emotions rise.
• Mark pauses Put brackets where you want to breathe or where a laugh might be. Pauses help you and the audience process emotion.
• Practice out loud Read the eulogy to a friend, to a mirror, or even to your pet. Practicing calms the voice and helps with timing.
• Bring tissues and water A sip of water can steady your voice. Tissues are handy.
• Arrange backup If you think you might not finish, ask a friend or family member to introduce you and be ready to step in to finish a sentence if needed.
• Mic technique Keep the microphone a few inches from your mouth and speak clearly. If there is no amplification, slow down and project to the back of the room.

When you want to cry while reading

Tears are normal. If you cry, pause, breathe, and look at your notes. Slow down. Saying fewer words with presence often feels more meaningful than rushing. If you need a moment, take it. The audience will wait.

Including readings, poems, and music

Short readings work best. If you choose a poem pick a short excerpt rather than a long piece. Readings can be religious or secular. Confirm with the officiant and consider printing the text in the program.

Music tips

• Pick songs your grandpa loved or songs that match the mood.
• Coordinate with the venue about playing recorded music or having a live musician.
• Place music where it supports a moment like an opening or a pause after a meaningful line.

Logistics to check

• Tell the funeral director if you need a microphone or want a printed copy included in the program.
• Confirm where to stand and how long you may speak with the officiant.
• Give a copy of your speech to the person running the order of service in case they need it for the program or to keep the event on schedule.

Sharing the eulogy after the service

People will likely ask for a copy. Offer to email it to interested family and friends. Families often include the eulogy in a printed program or memory book. You can also record the audio and share it privately. Check with close family before posting recordings online to respect privacy.

Checklist before you step up to speak

• Confirm your time limit with the family or officiant.
• Print your speech with large font and bring a backup copy.
• Practice at least three times out loud.
• Mark emotional beats and pauses in your copy.
• Bring tissues and a bottle of water if allowed.
• Arrange a signal with a family member 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.
• Officiant The person who leads the funeral or memorial service.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end of life. Hospice care can take place at home or in a facility.
• RSVP Short 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

Begin with your name and your relationship to your grandpa. A simple opening like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I am Grandpa s granddaughter gives the audience context and buys you a breath to settle. Practice that line until it feels familiar. That steady start helps you at the microphone.

What if I forget my place or cry

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 for you. A short note that someone else can pick up from helps in this scenario.

Can I include funny stories

Yes. Small earned humor is often welcome. Use jokes that are based on real memories and that do not embarrass anyone. Test them with a trusted friend if you are unsure.

How long should my eulogy be

Three to seven minutes is a good target. Short speeches are usually more memorable. If many people will speak, coordinate times to keep the service on schedule.

Should I read from my phone

You can, but paper or index cards are often easier to handle when emotions rise. If you use a phone make sure it is silenced and bright enough for the venue lighting.

Is it OK to record and share the eulogy online

Check with immediate family before posting. Some families prefer to keep recordings private. If sharing is approved add a short description and be mindful of the deceased s wishes.