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

Writing a eulogy for your great grandmother can feel like a huge responsibility and a rare opportunity at the same time. She lived through eras you may only read about. She likely carried family stories, recipes, and a way of seeing the world that shaped three or four generations. This guide makes the task practical. You will find clear structure, relatable examples, fill in the blank templates, and delivery tips so you can honor her in a way that feels true to your family.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a great grandmother at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, graveside service, or even a small family gathering. Maybe you are the oldest grandchild available to speak. Maybe no one else stepped forward and you want to surprise your family with a thoughtful tribute. Maybe you are a millennial balancing grief with a packed schedule. Whatever the reason, you do not need to be a public speaker to give a meaningful eulogy.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short personal speech that honors someone who has died. It is not an obituary. An obituary is a written announcement that gives facts like birth, death, survivors, and service details. A eulogy is a story. It shares personal memories, feelings, and lessons. It does not have to be perfect. It only has to be honest.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice about a death that includes biographical facts and funeral information.
• Order of service The schedule for the funeral or memorial that lists readings, music, and speakers.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to carry the casket. Usually close family or friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering focused on stories, photos, and memories.
• Hospice A care approach that focuses on comfort and quality of life near the end of life. Hospice care can happen at home or in a facility.
• GGM An abbreviation people sometimes use to mean great grandmother. If you use acronyms in your speech practice saying the full phrase first so listeners know what you mean.
• RSVP Short for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. Often used on invitations.

How long should a eulogy for a great grandmother be

Keep it short and focused. Aim for three to seven minutes. That is roughly 400 to 800 spoken words. A great grandmother s life is rich and it can be tempting to list decades of achievements. Instead pick a few vivid stories and themes. Those stick more than long timelines.

Before you start writing

Gathering a little background and permission will save time and make the speech feel right for the occasion.

• Ask the family or officiant about time Confirm how long you can speak and where your eulogy fits in the order of service.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be warm and nostalgic, funny and celebratory, or quiet and reflective? If family dynamics are complicated, check with a close relative so tone and content are appropriate.
• Collect memories Talk to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ask them for one short memory each. You will be amazed how many quick stories are ready to use.
• Pick three focus points Choose three things people should leave remembering. For a great grandmother this might be her humor, her signature dish, and how she connected generations.
• Decide on names If your great grandmother had a nickname like Nana, Nonna, or Oma decide which name to use in the speech and be consistent.

Structure that works

Structure helps both you and your listeners. Use this simple shape.

• Opening Say your name and relationship. Offer one clear sentence that sets the tone.
• Life snapshot Give a brief overview. You do not need every date. Focus on roles like immigrant, gardener, seamstress, community volunteer, or family storyteller.
• Anecdotes Tell one to three short stories that reveal character. Keep them specific and sensory.
• Legacy Summarize what she taught the family or what will be missed most.
• Closing End with a short goodbye line, a favorite quote, a recipe reference, or a call to action like sharing a memory after the service.

Writing the opening

Start simple. Your opening buys you a breath and gives context for the room.

Opening examples

• Hi, I am Alex and I am Lydia s great grandson. Today we are here to remember how she made the kitchen smell like cinnamon and light and how her laugh fixed the room.
• Hello everyone. My name is Priya and I am her granddaughter. I want to say one quick thing about how Nonna crocheted sweaters for newborns and stories for adults equally well.
• Good afternoon. I am Marcus, one of Sam s great grandsons. He called me Little Bear and taught me how to whistle when I could not sleep.

How to write the life snapshot

For a great grandmother a life snapshot can highlight roles that mattered across generations. Pick three or four roles and give one sentence each.

Life snapshot templates

• [Name] was born in [place]. She worked as a [job or role], raised [number] children, and later became the family s unofficial historian. She loved [hobby] and believed in [value].
• [Name] immigrated to [country] in [year or decade]. She learned the language, kept old recipes, and never stopped telling stories about home. She was a mother, a worker, and a generous neighbor.

Anecdotes that matter

Stories are the heart of a eulogy. For a great grandmother aim for short scenes that show a trait. Use sensory details like sounds, smells, or repeated phrases she said.

Example anecdotes

• When my cousin was sick she sat on the floor with a pan of tea on the heater and told stories until the fever broke. We called that the Nonna Remedy and it worked more often than we can prove.
• She kept a towel on the back of every chair. If anyone complained she would say it was for emergencies. Eighteen people learned how to fold a towel the Nonna way.
• Every July she planted sunflowers so the grandchildren would have a place to hide during hide and seek. She would peek through the leaves and pretend she could not find us.

Addressing long lives and memory gaps

Great grandmothers often have long lives and long stories. If some details are fuzzy, that is fine. You can say that certain dates are unclear and focus on the impact of the life rather than a strict timeline. If dementia was a part of the last years, you can acknowledge the difficulty with dignity.

Ways to mention memory loss compassionately

• She remembered songs and recipes even when names got slippery. Those things held her steady.
• In her last year she forgot faces sometimes, but she never forgot how to hug or how to ask if you were warm enough.
• Dementia changed the chapters but not the person we loved. We learned to listen in new ways.

Using humor when remembering an elder

Humor helps people breathe. Use small earned jokes that roast gently and reveal love. Avoid anything that feels like mocking. Test lines with a relative if you are unsure.

Funny but safe examples

• She had a strict rule that dessert came before anyone left the table. She called it practical planning not spoiled grandchildren.
• Nonna kept a drawer of single socks just in case the laundry tried to run away. We called it hope in fabric form.

What to avoid in a eulogy for a great grandmother

• Avoid long chronological lists with no stories. People remember scenes more than dates.
• Avoid airing family disputes or private grudges in public.
• Avoid jokes that single someone out or cause embarrassment.
• Avoid too much medical detail. You can say she passed after a long illness if that is important, but you do not need to narrate treatments.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples. Replace bracketed text with personal details.

Example 1: Warm and story driven three to four minute eulogy

Hello. My name is Emma and I am Rose s great granddaughter. Rose was born in a small village and moved to the city as a young woman. She worked in a factory and later sewed clothing for neighbors. What she loved most was gathering family around a table. Her kitchen smelled like garlic, orange peel, and patience.

One small story that shows who she was comes from last summer. My cousin and I found a box of letters in her attic. She sat with us and read them aloud, laughing and crying in equal measure. She taught us that the past is not only something to remember, it is something to pass on. She could make you feel like the most interesting person in the room simply by asking two questions and leaning in.

She taught us to be curious, to keep a jar of mending thread handy, and to answer calls from elderly neighbors. We will miss her stories, her hands that seemed to know what needed fixing, and the way she always saved the best slice of cake for someone who needed it more. Thank you for being here and for carrying her memory forward.

Example 2: Short two minute eulogy focused on legacy

Hi everyone. I am Jacob, one of her great grandsons. My great grandmother taught more than recipes. She taught us how to remember birthdays when the calendar failed. She showed us how to forgive quickly and how to celebrate small wins with a toast and a wink. Her hands planted apple trees in more yards than anyone else I know. We will keep watering them.

Example 3: Funny and affectionate two to three minute eulogy

Good morning. I am Lila. If you met my great grandmother you knew two things for sure. One she would insist you have another cup of tea. Two she would win any argument about who remembered family stories first. She had an impressive memory for grocery lists and forgetfulness for names when she wanted to tease you. She kept our family laughing and well caffeinated. Thank you for laughing with us today as we remember her.

Example 4: Honest and complicated three minute eulogy

My name is Omar. My great grandmother was not perfect. She made choices we did not always agree with. She also worked hard in a time when options were limited and she taught us the value of perseverance. In recent years we argued about small things and then sat down and ate the same soup. Those quiet meals felt like small reconciliations. I am grateful for those moments and for the stubborn warmth she passed down.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates and edit them to sound like you. Read aloud and remove anything that feels forced.

Template A: Short and soulful

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Great Grandmother s Name] great [grandchild grandson granddaughter]. [Name] was born in [place or decade]. She loved [hobby or habit], and she was the family s go to for [thing she did for family]. One memory that shows who she was is [short story]. She taught us [value or lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here and for holding her memory.

Template B: For a long life with many stories

My name is [Your Name]. [Great Grandmother s Name] lived a long life that spanned [decades or major events]. She moved to [place], raised [number] children, and later filled her home with grandchildren and great grandchildren. She told stories about [place or event] that kept the family history alive. I want to share one quick story that shows how she loved us. [Short story]. That is how I will remember her: curious, stubborn, and always generous with a biscuit. Thank you.

Template C: Light and funny

Hi, I am [Your Name]. If you ever left her house without a bag of cookies you had either offended her or been in a hurry. She also had a rule that no one could leave a family dinner without singing something old. My favorite memory is [funny short story]. She made us laugh and she made sure we always had enough scarves. Thank you for being here to celebrate her life.

Practical tips for delivery

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper is easier to handle when emotions run high.
• Use cue cards Small index cards prevent you from losing your place and they look less formal than a full sheet.
• Mark emotional beats Use brackets or bold to mark where to pause, breathe, or let the room react.
• Practice out loud Read the eulogy into your phone or to a friend. Practicing helps your throat and your emotions.
• Bring tissues and water A quick sip calms the voice and tissues are easy to use discreetly.
• Plan for a backup Ask a family member to be ready to finish a line if needed. A quick text or nod can be the signal.
• Check the venue Confirm whether a microphone will be available and test its volume if possible.

How to include recipes, heirlooms, and intergenerational details

Great grandmothers often leave physical legacies like recipes, quilts, or letters. Mentioning these items in your eulogy can be meaningful.

• Mention a recipe briefly and offer copies after the service or include it in a memory book.
• If a quilt or heirloom will be passed on say who will receive it and why that matters to the family.
• Invite people to share their memories of specific items at the reception or online so stories are preserved.

Music and readings that honor a long life

Choose short songs or readings that reflect her life. Folk songs, hymns, or an excerpt from a poem she loved work well. Keep readings brief. Four to eight lines fit well between speakers.

Music ideas

• Choose songs she loved at family gatherings.
• Use an instrumental track under a spoken memory if you want a soft background.
• If multiple people will speak, keep musical pieces short and placed to support mood changes.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director if you need a microphone or a place to stand.
• Coordinate with the officiant about where your remarks fit in the order of service.
• Provide a printed copy for the person running the event so they can include it in a program if desired.

After the eulogy

People will want a copy. Offer to email it or add it to a shared family folder. Some families ask to include the eulogy in a memory book or on a memorial website. Recording the speech can help relatives who could not attend feel connected. Always check with the family before posting audio or video publicly.

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 pauses and emotional beats.
• Bring tissues and a small bottle of water.
• Tell one person you may need a moment and arrange a signal if you want them to finish if needed.

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 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 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.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end of life. It can take place at home or in a facility.
• GGM Short for great grandmother. If you use this in writing, consider saying the full term aloud in the eulogy so listeners are clear.
• RSVP An abbreviation from French asking guests to confirm attendance. Useful for memorial receptions or gatherings.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Start with your name and relationship to your great grandmother. A simple opening like Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I am [Great Grandmother s Name] great grandchild gives the room context and gives you a moment to breathe. Practice that opening until it feels steady.

What if I forget my place or start crying

Pause and breathe. Look at your notes. If you need a moment take it. The audience will wait. If you cannot continue, ask a prearranged person to step in and finish a line. Many people keep remarks short for this reason.

Can I include funny stories about an elder

Yes, if the humor is gentle and earned. Use stories that show character and love. Avoid anything that might embarrass living family members. If in doubt test the joke with a trusted relative before the service.

How much family history should I include

Include only what supports the story you are telling. A few quick facts can be helpful such as where she was born or a notable life event but focus on memories and traits that show who she was.

Should I mention dementia or a long illness

If it shaped the family experience you can mention it compassionately. Say something like In recent years memory faded but her laugh did not. That acknowledges reality while keeping dignity intact.

Is it okay to read a family recipe

Yes. Reading a short recipe or mentioning that you will be sharing it after the service can be a warm way to bring people together. Avoid reading a long list of instructions. Include a one or two line memory tied to the recipe.

How long should a eulogy for a great grandmother be

Aim for three to seven minutes. Short and focused speeches are usually more memorable and keep the service on schedule. If multiple people are speaking coordinate times.

What if I want to include a song or poem

Choose short excerpts. A two to four line poem or a brief song clip works well. Confirm with the officiant and place the piece in the program if possible so people can follow along.

Can I post the eulogy online

Ask the family before posting. Some families want privacy. If sharing is approved give a brief note about where donations or condolences can be sent and be mindful about images of the deceased.