How to Write a Eulogy for Your Great Grandchild - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Saying goodbye to a great grandchild can feel beyond words and deeply necessary at the same time. Whether you are the great grandparent asked to speak or a close relative given the honor, this guide walks you through the whole process. We explain terms you might not know and give sample scripts you can personalize. You do not need to be a writer to give a meaningful tribute. This guide helps you find the right tone and the right words.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone preparing to speak about a great grandchild at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, graveside service, or a small family gathering. Maybe you are an older great grandparent, a grandparent asked to read on behalf of the family, or a friend who wants to offer a memory. Maybe the loss is recent and you are unsure how to speak without being overwhelmed. These examples cover short readings, tender stories, and simple templates you can use even if you only have a few minutes.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a speech that honors and remembers a person who has died. It is normally delivered at a funeral or memorial service. A eulogy focuses on memories, qualities, and small stories that show who the person was. It is different from an obituary. An obituary is a written public notice that lists facts like birth date, survivors, and service times. A eulogy is personal and emotional and is allowed to be imperfect.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice announcing a death with the basics about the person and service details.
• Order of service The schedule for a funeral or memorial listing readings, music, and speakers.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on memories, photos, and stories.
• Grief counseling Professional support to help people process loss. This can be one on one or in a group.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort for someone near the end of life. It can be provided at home or in a facility.
• Bereavement leave Time off work granted to employees after a death in the family. Policies vary by employer.

How long should a eulogy be

Short and focused is better. Aim for two to five minutes for a child or great grandchild. That is usually about 300 to 700 spoken words. If multiple people are speaking, check with the family or officiant about time so the service stays on schedule. A very short, heartfelt tribute can be more powerful than a long speech.

Before you start writing

Grief can make it hard to focus. Use this quick plan to prepare.

• Confirm your role Ask who else will speak and how long you are expected to be.
• Decide the tone Choose tender, peaceful, gently funny, or purely reflective depending on what the parents and close family want.
• Gather memories Talk to parents, grandparents, or caregivers for a few short stories or favorite moments.
• Pick one to three focus points Decide on one to three things you want the audience to remember about the child. Keep it small.
• Be gentle with yourself It is okay to step away and return to writing later. You do not need to finish everything in one sitting.

Structure that works

A clear structure helps you and your listeners. Use a simple shape.

• Opening Say your name and your relationship to the child. Offer one sentence that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a few gentle facts about the child. For infants use short observations like the nicknames the family used or small rituals.
• Memory or anecdote Share one short story or sensory moment. Keep it concrete and kind.
• Meaning Say what that memory shows about the child or what the family will carry forward.
• Closing Offer a short goodbye line, a favorite short poem line, or a simple invitation for a moment of silence or a ritual like lighting a candle.

How to write the opening

The first line anchors you. Start with your name and your relationship to the great grandchild. Then say one small true sentence about why you are speaking.

Opening examples

• Hello my name is June and I am Lucy s great grandmother. I am honored to say a few words about our little love.
• Good afternoon. I am Marcus, the child s grandfather. I want to share one small memory that shows the joy they brought into our home.
• Hello. I am Priya, a family friend. I was lucky to sing to Sam on visits. I would like to share a short story about how music made everyone smile.

How to write the life sketch

For a great grandchild the life sketch is short and sensitive. Focus on family connections, nicknames, tiny habits, and anything the parents want shared. Avoid medical detail unless the family asks you to include it.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born on [date] to [parents names]. They were the newest light in a family that loved morning cuddles and silly faces.
• [Name] joined our family for a brief time and taught us all how to hold a moment of sweetness more carefully. They had a nickname of [nickname] and a tiny laugh that brightened a room.

Anecdotes that matter

One meaningful memory goes farther than a list of facts. Keep stories brief and sensory. A good memory has a setup, an action, and a line that explains why it mattered.

Examples of short anecdotes

• When little Maya was just a week old, Grandma would stand by the window and hum while the sun warmed her blanket. That quiet ritual felt like hope in a busy world.
• Once, during a family visit, he sneezed and everyone laughed because it was the loudest sneeze from such a tiny person. For hours we told the sneeze story and it made us all feel lighter.
• On a Sunday morning the parents made pancakes and the baby watched mesmerized. Even that small look of curiosity reminded us what simple presence does for a family.

Addressing complex situations

Every family story is different. You may not have known the child long or there may be family tension. You can still speak honestly and kindly.

• If you did not know the child well, say so and share what you did know. A sentence about how you saw the child in photos or how the family described them is perfectly valid.
• If emotions are complicated, you can acknowledge the difficulty. For example say My heart is heavy and grateful at the same time.
• If the family has different wishes about tone, check with the parents first. They should set how much detail is shared and whether humor is okay.

Using gentle humor

Humor can offer a breath in grief. Keep it small and earned. Avoid anything that could upset parents or single out someone present.

Safe humor examples

• They already had a tiny fan club who argued over who got to hold them first. We were all badly trained but so happy about it.
• The family joked that they had the most punctual baby ever because they always knew when the oven timer would go off. It is the small things that make us laugh in hard times.

What to avoid in a eulogy for a great grandchild

• Avoid long medical descriptions and exacting details about how the child died unless the family wants that shared.
• Avoid extended family disagreements or blame. The eulogy is not the place for disputes.
• Avoid long lists of accomplishments. For a child the focus is on presence and small moments not milestones.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Example 1: Short gentle tribute from a great grandparent, about two minutes

Hello. My name is Elaine and I am Oliver s great grandmother. In the short time Oliver was with us he brought a surprising amount of light. He loved being read to and his little fingers would grab the corner of the pages like he was trying to hold each story. I remember one afternoon when the whole family gathered and he slept on Grandma s lap, and everyone softened in a way only babies can do. We will carry that softness with us. Thank you for being here and for holding him in your hearts.

Example 2: Tender memory from a grandparent for a toddler

Good morning. I am Samuel and I am Nora s grandfather. Nora had a way of patting your cheek like she was checking you for the sillies. She loved the color yellow and dancing in the living room to any song that said the word dance. Her laugh was so loud and honest that strangers would smile across the store. When we were with her we all moved slower and better. I am grateful for those moments. Please join me in a moment of silence as we imagine her tiny dance and smile.

Example 3: Short reading when you did not know the child well

My name is Ana. I did not get to know James long, but I saw how his parents spoke about him with an unwavering tenderness. Their photos showed a small hand curled around a thumb. Today I want to honor that quiet love. Sometimes the deepest lessons are taught by the shortest lives. We are here to remember that love and to hold his family close.

Example 4: Celebration of life tone with light warmth

Hi everyone. I am Robbie, an uncle and a longtime silly face maker. Our little June taught our family one simple rule. When life gets heavy you must make a ridiculous face and someone will laugh. It sounds small, but it mattered. We leave here today with a pocket of ridiculous faces ready to pull out whenever we need to remember her. Thank you for sharing this laugh and this love with us.

Fill in the blank templates

Pick a template and swap in your details. Read it out loud and edit for rhythm and truth.

Template A: Short tender

My name is [Your Name]. I am [relationship] to [Child s Name]. [Child s Name] joined our family on [date] and brought [small quality like calm or giggles]. A memory I will keep is [brief story]. That memory shows [quality or meaning]. Thank you for being here and for holding this family with care.

Template B: If you did not know the child well

My name is [Your Name]. I did not have many chances to hold [Child s Name], but I saw love in the way [parents names] looked at photos and in the way stories were told. I want to honor that love. Even short lives shape us. Thank you for letting me share this small tribute.

Template C: For a playful celebration

Hi. I am [Your Name]. To know [Child s Name] was to know that even quiet mornings could surprise you. They loved [quirky habit], and they made us all try to be sillier and kinder. I will miss [what you will miss]. Let us carry forward this tiny gift of joy.

Practical tips for delivery

• Write large and bring a backup Use big type on paper so you can read it if tears blur your vision. Bring a second copy in case it gets wet.
• Use index cards One idea per card makes it easier to pause and breathe.
• Practice once or twice Read your words out loud to a friend or to yourself. Practicing helps you find natural pauses.
• Mark emotional beats Put a bracket or underline where you want to pause or where a laugh might come. Pauses give you a moment to gather yourself.
• Have water and tissues ready Keep a glass of water nearby and a handkerchief or tissues. Those small things help when tears come.
• Ask for a signal If you think you might need help finishing, arrange a gentle signal with a family member who can step up if needed.

When you want to cry while reading

Tears are normal. Pause, breathe, and look down at your notes. Slow your pace. If you cannot continue, a brief pause or handing the notes to the person you chose to finish is okay. The audience will wait and will want you to be honest and human.

How to include readings, poems, and music

Choose short poems or a single line from a longer piece. For music pick songs that were meaningful to the family or a quiet lullaby. Confirm with the officiant about recorded music or live musicians. Keep readings short to preserve the overall tone and time of the service.

Logistics and who to tell

• Check with the parents about what should be shared publicly and what should remain private.
• Tell the officiant if you need a microphone or a chair to sit in while speaking.
• Provide a printed copy to the person running the order of service if they want it for the program.

Recording and sharing the eulogy

Ask the family before posting any recording online. Some families prefer privacy. If sharing is approved, consider sending a private link to close family and friends instead of posting publicly. You can also offer to include the text in a printed memory book for the parents.

How to support the grieving parents and family after you speak

• Offer practical help like meals, grocery runs, or childcare for other children.
• Follow up with a short message in the days after the service and offer a concrete way to help.
• Respect their space if they need time alone and check back gently later with a call or text.

Glossary of useful terms

• Eulogy A speech given to honor a person who has died.
• Obituary A public notice announcing a death with basic facts and service information.
• Order of service The plan for a funeral or memorial listing the sequence of events.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on memories and photos.
• Bereavement leave Time off work for employees after a death in the family. Policies differ by workplace.
• Grief counseling Professional help to process loss. It can be short term or ongoing.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a eulogy for a great grandchild be

Aim for two to five minutes. That is usually enough to share one or two memories and a closing line. Shorter speeches are often more powerful and easier to deliver when emotions are raw.

What if I did not know the child well

Be honest. Say you did not know the child long and then share what you do know. A sentence about how the parents described the child or a memory you saw in photos is a respectful and meaningful contribution.

Can I use humor in a eulogy for a child

Yes, gentle humor that honors the child and comforts the family can be appropriate. Keep jokes small and avoid anything that might upset the parents or other relatives.

Should I include medical details

Only include medical details if the family wants them shared. Focus on love and presence rather than clinical information unless the parents specifically ask for transparency.

How do I speak if I am very emotional

Use index cards, practice once or twice, and arrange for a family member to be ready to step in if needed. Pauses and deep breaths help. Remember the audience is there to support you.

Can I read a poem instead of giving a speech

Yes. A short poem or a single line from a poem can be a beautiful tribute. Check with the parents about what feels right and share printed copies if you can.

Who is the best person to deliver the eulogy

Often a parent or grandparent speaks. A close family member who can hold tears or who has a meaningful memory is also appropriate. The family should pick who feels most comfortable and appropriate for the tone they want.

Is it okay to record and share the eulogy online

Ask the family first. Some families want privacy. If they approve, share a private link or send recordings directly to close friends and relatives rather than posting publicly.

What should I do after the eulogy

Offer support to the parents and family. Small acts like dropping off food, handling errands, or sitting quietly with them in the days after the service are often the most helpful.