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

Saying a few words about a great granddaughter can feel impossible and necessary at the same time. When someone so young dies the grief is sharp and the urge to honor them is strong. This guide helps you plan, write, and deliver a eulogy that speaks honestly and lovingly. We explain terms you might not know and give examples and fill in the blank templates you can use right away. Read through, pick a template, and start with one small sentence.

Who this guide is for

This article is for any family member asked to speak about a great granddaughter at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or graveside gathering. You might be a great grandparent who wants to say something meaningful. You might be an aunt, uncle, or family friend who was close to the child. Even if the child was very young and you are not sure what to say, this guide offers simple language, structure, and examples to help you speak from the heart.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a brief speech given at a funeral or memorial service that honors the person who has died. It is not the same as an obituary. An obituary is a written notice with basic facts like birth date, parents names, and service details. A eulogy is personal. It tells a story, shares a memory, and gives people permission to feel. In the case of a child or baby, a eulogy may be short and focused on the light they brought and the love the family holds.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice of a death that usually includes biographical details and funeral arrangements.
• Order of service The schedule for the event listing readings, music, and speakers. Think of it as the program.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and memory rather than ritual.
• Hospice Care that focuses on comfort for someone nearing the end of life. It can be provided at home or in a facility.
• RSVP Short for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. It appears on invitations when hosts need a head count.

Special considerations when eulogizing a great granddaughter

When the person who died is a child the tone and choices you make will be different than for an older adult. People will be raw. Parents will be at the center of the grief. You do not need to be poetic to be meaningful. Short honest sentences are often the most powerful. Keep these points in mind.

• Check with the parents Always ask the parents what they want shared. They may want privacy around certain details. They also might welcome specific happy memories being told.
• Keep it short Two to five minutes is often appropriate for a child. That is enough to name who the child was to you and to share one or two small memories.
• Avoid platitudes Saying everything happens for a reason may feel empty. Speak to feeling and memory rather than looking for answers.
• Include the whole family Mention parents and siblings by name and speak to the love that surrounded the child.
• Be mindful of age details If the child was an infant, say that clearly. If there was a short life full of milestones like first smile or first word mention those small, human details.

How long should a eulogy be

Short and clear is kind to listeners and to the speaker. Aim for one to five minutes. That is roughly 150 to 600 spoken words. If more people will speak, coordinate so the whole service stays on schedule. In many cases the family will prefer brief heartfelt remarks rather than a long speech.

Before you start writing

Preparation helps you speak with clarity and calm.

• Ask the family or officiant about time Confirm how long you are expected to speak and where you fit into the order of service.
• Decide the tone For a child you may choose tender, hopeful, gently humorous, or a mix. Check with the parents so the tone fits everyone.
• Gather small details Ask parents what small things made them smile. Favorite blanket, a song, a nickname, the way the child reached for a hand. These tiny details make a eulogy feel real.
• Choose one to three focus points Pick one or two memories and one simple statement about why the child mattered. That creates a shape that is easy to speak and easy for listeners to hold.

Structure that works

Use a simple structure so you can focus on delivering the lines rather than worrying about what comes next.

• Opening Say your name and your relationship to the child. A short contextual sentence helps settle the room.
• Life sketch Keep this tiny. Mention birth, the immediate family, and one or two things that show character or presence.
• Anecdote or memory Tell one short story that captures the child in life. Sensory details like a laugh, a smell, or a song help people remember.
• What we will carry forward Say a short line about how the child changed you or how the family will remember their presence.
• Closing Finish with a simple goodbye line, a short quote, or an invitation for others to share memories.

Opening examples

Start with one clear sentence. Practice it until it feels manageable. Here are some openings you can adapt.

• Hello. I am Rose, her great grandmother. Today we are here to remember little Emma and the bright moments she gave us.
• Good afternoon. My name is David. I am Jacob s great grandfather. I want to say a few words about how his laugh could fill a room even in a whisper.
• Hi everyone. I am Ana, Aunt to Mia. We loved watching her discover socks and sunlight. I am grateful to share a memory today.

How to write the life sketch

For a child the life sketch is brief. Name family, place, and a few small facts that anchor the memory.

Templates you can use

• [Child s name] was born on [date] to [parents names]. She was a beloved sister to [sibling names] and a bright eyed great granddaughter to [your name].
• [Child s name] lived for [weeks months years]. In that time she loved [favorite toy or habit], had a laugh that sounded like [image], and made family gatherings feel fuller.

Anecdotes that matter

People remember stories more than lists. Pick one short scene that shows the child being themselves. Keep it sensory and small.

Examples of short anecdotes

• She had a blanket with tiny stars. Whenever someone hummed she would sigh like she recognized the melody even before her eyes opened. We called that her star sigh and it made any hard day softer.
• At three months she discovered her toes and laughed like it was the greatest joke. That laugh was a room full of light and it is a sound we will return to whenever we think of her.
• Her first and only Easter we hid a tiny plush bunny near her hand. She reached for it like she already knew joy. That reaching is how we will hold her memory.

Addressing complex emotions

Losing a child can bring anger, guilt, relief at an end to suffering, and a mix of feelings that are hard to name. A eulogy is not a therapy session. But you can acknowledge complexity with dignity and truth.

Examples of honest lines

• There are days I feel angry at how brief this life was and there are days I feel grateful for the little time we had. Both feelings are true and both are allowed here.
• We will miss what might have been and we will hold what was. Today we choose to remember the small wonders Emma brought into our lives.
• Grief does not have neat rules. If you are feeling many things that is okay. This room holds our messy love.

Using gentle humor

A little lightness can help people breathe. Humor for a child eulogy should be small and kind and always tested with the parents first.

Safe humor examples

• She had a serious face when tasting new foods. One bite and you could see her negotiate whether to love or spit. We learned quickly to have spoons ready and patience ready too.
• She insisted on wearing the same tiny hat twice. Fashion decisions have always run in the family.

Readings, poems, and music

Short poems or songs can help express what words cannot. Pick brief passages and confirm with the parents and officiant. A two or three line poem or a single song verse can be enough.

• Short poem example: You are the soft echo we carry with us every day.
• Music choice idea: A lullaby, a favorite nursery rhyme, or a quiet instrumental piece works well.

Full sample eulogies you can adapt

Below are complete examples from the perspective of a great grandparent and an aunt. Replace bracketed text with your details. Keep them short if the child was very young. These examples show different tones you might choose.

Example 1: Great grandparent, tender and short, about two minutes

Hello. I am Margaret. I am Lily s great grandmother. I want to say a few words about the light she brought into our family.

Lily was with us for seven months. In that time she taught us how the smallest things can mean the most. She loved the sound of rain on the window and she slept with her thumb in her mouth like it was a tiny compass. On family nights she would fall asleep listening to us read. Those quiet breaths were a gift to all of us.

She will be remembered for the way she calmed a room simply by being there. We will miss her more than words can hold and we will remember the tiny ways she made our days gentler. Thank you for being here and for holding her family in your care.

Example 2: Aunt, slightly humorous and heartfelt, about three minutes

Hi everyone. I am Sarah, Mia s aunt. I met Mia when she came home from the hospital and immediately decided she would teach me how to be sillier. She made faces with her eyebrows that should not have been possible at that age and she had a perfect sleepy grin that made any long night feel less long.

One afternoon she stole my sunglasses and wore them like a tiny boss. I remember the way she clapped when the ceiling fan started. That clap told me she noticed the small marvels of the world. I will carry that notice with me. If you see a set of tiny sunglasses in my bag you will know why.

Mia taught us how to celebrate the little things. We will miss her jokes that only she understood and the way she made family gatherings brighter. Please share a small memory with the family if you can. It will mean everything.

Example 3: Short parent supported by great grandparent, under one minute

Hello. I am Thomas, great grandfather to Noah. I will say one brief thing and then invite his parents to speak.

Noah loved the color blue and the sound of his father s voice. He fit into our arms like a piece of a puzzle we did not know was missing. We will hold him in our hearts. Now I will ask his mother to say a few words.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these short templates to get started. Fill in the brackets and then read it out loud to make sure it sounds like you.

Template A: Very short and simple

My name is [Your Name]. I am [relationship to child]. [Child s Name] was born on [date]. In the short time they were with us they loved [small detail]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here to remember them.

Template B: Tender with one story

Hello, I am [Your Name] and I am [relationship]. One memory I will always keep is [brief story]. That moment showed me [what the story revealed]. We will carry [child s name] in our hearts and in the small ways we look at the world. Thank you.

Template C: For a complicated loss

My name is [Your Name]. Today we are here with many feelings. I feel sadness and also appreciation for the time we had with [child s name]. One thing I will always remember is [memory]. If you are feeling a mix of things you are not alone. We will support each other.

Practical tips for delivery

Speaking while grieving is hard. These simple tactics make it easier.

• Print your speech Use large font so you do not squint through tears. Paper is easier to handle than a small phone screen.
• Use cue cards One or two lines per card make it simple to find your place between pauses.
• Mark pauses Put a note where you want to breathe or where people will likely respond. Pauses give you time to steady yourself.
• Practice out loud Read to someone you trust or to yourself in front of a mirror. Gentle rehearsal helps your voice remember the words.
• Bring tissues and a sip of water A little water keeps your throat steady. Tissues are a small practical comfort.
• Ask for support Tell a family member you might need a pause and agree on a signal for them to step in if needed.

When you cry while reading

Tears are normal. Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment collect yourself and continue when you can. If you cannot continue someone you asked can finish your last line. People will wait and they want you to be honest.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director or officiant if you need a microphone or if you plan to play music.
• Confirm where you will stand and how long you may speak.
• Give a copy of your words to the person running the order of service if they need it for the program.

After the eulogy

People may ask for a copy. Offer to email it or to include it in a memory book. Recording an audio of the eulogy can be comforting to family members who could not attend. Always check with the parents before sharing recordings publicly.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who died.
• Obituary A written notice announcing a death and usually listing service details.
• Order of service The schedule for the funeral or memorial, including music and speakers.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on memories, photos, and stories.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone near the end of life.
• RSVP Short for respond s il vous plait meaning please respond. 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 the child. A short line like Hello, I am [Your Name] and I am [child s relation] gives you a steady start. Practice that opening until it feels familiar. It will help you breathe when you stand up.

What if the parents do not want certain details shared

Respect their wishes. Always ask the parents before sharing stories that involve medical details, private family matters, or anything that might feel too personal. They are the primary grievers and their comfort should guide what you say.

Is it okay to be brief

Yes. Brief honest remarks are often the most meaningful, especially for a child. Two minutes can be enough to name the child, share a memory, and say goodbye.

Should I include religious language

Only if the family finds it comforting. If religion was central to the family choose words that fit their faith. If not, secular language about love, light, and memory works well.

Can I ask others to share memories too

Yes. Sometimes a short invitation for others to come forward or to write a memory in a memory book creates a warm and inclusive moment. Coordinate with the family first so the service stays organized.

What do I do if I forget my place

Pause and breathe. Look at your notes or cue cards. If you cannot continue a designated person can step in. Practice helps reduce the chance of losing your place.

Should I give a copy of the eulogy to the funeral home

Giving a copy to the person organizing the service can be helpful. They might include the text in the printed program or in a memory book for family and friends.