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

Writing a eulogy for your great grandson is a unique kind of heartache and honor. Whether the child was an infant, a toddler, a teen, or an adult who still carried the title great grandson, you want to say something true and memorable. This guide gives clear steps, real examples you can adapt, explanations of terms and acronyms you might see, plus delivery tips that actually help when emotions are raw. Pick a template, personalize it, and trust that your words will matter.

Who this guide is for

This article is for any family member who has been asked to speak about a great grandson at a funeral, memorial, graveside, or celebration of life. Maybe you are a great grandparent, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or a close family friend who watched this child grow. Maybe the loss is recent and still jarring. Maybe the relationship was short but deep. This guide includes scripts for newborn loss, accidental death, illness, and long lives cut short. There are shorter tributes and longer ones for family members who need more time to say goodbye.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors and remembers a person who has died. It is usually part of a funeral or memorial service. A eulogy is personal. It is a story or a set of stories that help people remember who the person was. It is not the same as an obituary. An obituary is a factual, written notice that often includes dates, survivors, and service details.

Terms you might see and what they mean

• Obituary A written notice announcing a death that usually lists basic facts and service information.
• Memorial service A gathering to remember the person who died. The body may not be present.
• Funeral A ceremony that often includes a casket or cremated remains and formal rites.
• Celebration of life A less formal event focused on stories, photos, and honoring personality rather than ritual.
• Grief counselor A trained professional who helps people process loss and traumatic bereavement.
• NICU Stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is the hospital unit for critically ill newborns.
• Stillbirth When a baby is born without signs of life at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Visitation Also called a wake. A time for friends and family to gather, offer condolences, and view the body if appropriate.

Special considerations when the deceased is a great grandson

A great grandson holds a unique place in family history. The age and stage of the child will shape the tone of the eulogy. A great grandparent might speak from a lifetime of memory for an adult great grandson. For an infant or toddler the eulogy may be brief and tender. Here are some things to think about.

• Age matters A newborn eulogy can focus on the brief ways the child touched lives. A teen eulogy can include personality, ambitions, and important relationships.
• Audience mix Services often include multiple generations. Use language that is gentle for children in the room and specific enough for adults.
• Family dynamics The child s parents will likely be the center of grief. Coordinate with them about tone and content and respect any boundaries they ask for.
• Honoring privacy Avoid medical details unless the family wants them public. Ask before mentioning cause of death or hospital details.
• Healing gestures Small rituals like releasing balloons, planting a tree, or lighting a candle can be included at the end of the eulogy as a shared act.

How long should a eulogy for a great grandson be

Short and sincere is powerful. Aim for two to seven minutes depending on the event. That is about 250 to 800 spoken words. If many people are speaking, check total time with the family or officiant so the service stays on schedule.

Preparation checklist before you write

• Ask the family or officiant how long you should speak and where you fit in the order of service.
• Clarify what the family wants included and what they would prefer kept private.
• Gather small details from parents, siblings, or the child s caregivers. One specific habit is more memorable than a list of traits.
• Decide the tone. Do you want sober and tender, light and celebratory, or a balance of both?
• Pick three focus points. These could be personality traits, a funny habit, and a wish for the future the child never had.

Structure that works

Use a simple shape for clarity and emotional flow.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to the child. Offer one clear sentence that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a few details about the child s life in plain language. For infants keep it short and loving. For older kids include a few memorable facts.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that show the child s personality. Keep them specific and sensory.
• What they taught us or what we will remember Summarize one or two simple lessons or images people can hold onto.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, a brief poem excerpt, a request for a moment of silence, or an invitation to an action like lighting candles or releasing wishes.

Writing the opening

Keep the opening simple. State your name and your relationship. Then say one sentence about why you are speaking.

Opening examples

• Hello, my name is Joan. I am Ethan s great grandmother. I am honored to say a few words about the small but bright light he was for our family.
• Hi, I am Marcus, Ethan s great uncle. Today we are remembering a kid who loved dinosaurs and insisted on wearing superhero pajamas even to breakfast.
• Good afternoon. I am Laura, the great grandmother. I did not get many years with James, but every moment was a gift and I want to share one or two of those moments with you.

How to write the life sketch for different ages

The life sketch is not a full biography. Use a few clear, human facts that support the story you are telling.

For an infant or newborn

• Keep it brief. Mention name, date of birth, and the joy he brought.
• Note if he spent time with family or in a NICU and whether the family asks for medical details to remain private.
• Include one small sensory memory like the sound of his small breaths or the smell of baby lotion.

For a toddler or young child

• Include favorite toys, words, or routines like a favorite bedtime story or snack.
• Pick one short story that shows curiosity or a way he made people laugh.

For a teen or adult great grandson

• Mention hobbies, school or work, and relationships he cared about.
• Choose two stories that reveal values and the way he related to family and friends.

Anecdotes that matter

Stories stick better than adjectives. Pick short moments that show a trait. Use setup, action, and a small payoff that explains why the moment matters.

Examples of quick anecdotes

• When Liam was three he would hide the remote control in the cookie jar and then offer it to us with crumbs on his hands like it was a peace offering. He taught us to laugh even when we were running late.
• At five days old we could already tell Theo loved being held. He slept like a little anchor in someone's arms and made visiting great grandparents feel like the most important job in the world.
• At fifteen, Marcus built a birdhouse that he refused to paint because he wanted the birds to pick their own colors. He loved leaving space for others to choose and to be themselves.

Addressing complex situations

Some losses are sudden and violent. Some involve long illnesses. Some involve complicated family histories. You can be honest without being graphic. Stick to the emotional truth and avoid details that the family prefers private.

Example phrasing for a sudden loss

• We are still stunned by how quickly we lost Joshua. We do not have answers for everything but we know how loudly he laughed and how much light he carried into small rooms.

Example phrasing for a long illness

• During his illness he showed a courage that was quiet and stubborn. He loved late night cartoons and he taught us how to celebrate small wins, like a good day or a shared dessert.

Using humor with care

Humor can ease tension and invite memory. Use small, earned jokes that are rooted in character and kind to family members present. Avoid anything that might mock the child s vulnerabilities.

Safe humor examples

• He had a serious agreement with every dog he met. The dogs respected him. The squirrels did not stand a chance.
• He believed that pancakes were a food group and always negotiated breakfast like a pro.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates as a starting point. Replace bracketed text with your own details and read aloud to make it sound natural.

Template A: Short and tender for an infant

My name is [Your Name]. I am [relationship]. [Baby s name] was born on [date]. In the short time he was with us he taught us how quickly love can arrive. I will remember the way he fit in my hand and the small sounds he made when he slept. Thank you for loving him with us.

Template B: Playful toddler tribute

Hello, I am [Your Name], [relationship]. [Child s name] loved [toy or activity] and believed every car needed a race. He could find joy in a cardboard box and turn it into an adventure. When I think of him I see him running with mismatched socks and a grin that said he knew a secret. We will miss his mischief and his fearless heart.

Template C: Teen or adult great grandson

My name is [Your Name]. [Name] was [age]. He was a [student worker hobbyist]. He wanted to be [aspiration] and he spent his free time [activity]. One time he [brief story that shows character]. He made us kinder, funnier, and more patient. We will keep his memory alive by [action like continuing a tradition or scholarship].

Template D: Complicated feelings

I am [Your Name]. We had hard conversations and gentle ones. In the end what matters is that [Name] brought people together and reminded us to say I love you. I am grateful for the ways we found to be kind to each other before he left.

Practical delivery tips

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper is easier to manage when emotions run high.
• Use cue cards One or two lines per card helps you keep pace and not lose your place.
• Mark emotional beats Put a bracket where you might pause to breathe or where laughter could come.
• Practice out loud Read to a trusted friend or to yourself in the mirror. Practice helps your throat and your heart know the rhythm.
• Bring water and tissues Small comforts reduce panic during delivery.
• Plan an exit strategy If you think you might not finish, arrange for a family member to introduce you and to stand by in case you need help finishing one line.

How to include poems, songs, and photo moments

• Short excerpts of poems work better than long readings.
• If you include a song, choose a short clip that had meaning and confirm audio setup with the venue.
• Photo slides can be played while you speak or before the service begins. Make sure captions are accurate and approved by the family.

What to avoid when writing

• Avoid reading a list of facts without stories that make them human.
• Avoid private family conflicts or medical specifics if the family prefers privacy.
• Avoid trying to be funny in a way that might exclude or embarrass someone.
• Avoid overlong speeches when many people are sharing. Short and truthful usually lands best.

Examples you can adapt

Example 1: Infant loss, under three minutes

Hello, my name is Margaret. I am Henry s great grandmother. Henry was born on April 5th and he lived with us for two gentle days. His name means ruler of the household and he already felt like he owned our hearts. I remember the soft way he rested against my chest like he trusted the world before he even had a chance to test it. He showed us how fast love can arrive and how families hold each other in small, sacred ways. Thank you for being here to hold his memory with us.

Example 2: Toddler with playful spirit, three to four minutes

Hi everyone. I am Tom. I am his great grandfather. Oliver loved trucks like most tiny engineers do. He would rearrange our living room like a construction site and then invite us to the grand opening. One Saturday he proudly announced he was a chef and made toast with peanut butter for everyone, including the dog. He had a small voice but a very large opinion about snack time. He taught us to celebrate the silly things and to be present for the little rituals that stitch days together. We will miss his howls of laughter and his uncompromising insistence on wearing superhero capes to bed. Please join me in a moment of silence and then in remembering Oliver by telling a silly story about him to someone you love.

Example 3: Teen lost in an accident, four to six minutes

Hello, I am Denise, [name] great aunt. Marcus was fifteen and he loved skateboarding and late night garage band practices. He had an intensity about small projects like fixing an old radio or learning a song on the guitar. One of my favorite memories is the night he stayed up to teach his little cousin how to tie shoelaces. He was patient in ways adults sometimes are not. Marcus was brave and imperfect, and he taught us how to show up for each other in small ways that matter. If you knew him, you know exactly what I mean. He wanted to make people laugh and he did. We will honor him by being kinder and by finding ways to teach the small things that mean a lot.

Example 4: Adult great grandson and family leader

My name is Robert. William was thirty one and a devoted son to his mother and a proud new father to Ava. He loved working with his hands and had a way of fixing things that felt almost like magic. William organized family gatherings, grilled perfectly, and always had room for one more chair at the table. In a house full of voices he was the one who listened longest. He taught us the value of showing up and of making space for others. We will miss his steady laugh and the way he held his niece like she was the most important person in the world.

After the eulogy

• Offer copies if family members want the text for memory books or to keep in programs.
• If the family agrees, consider recording audio. That recording can comfort relatives who could not attend.
• Follow up with family. Saying the eulogy is emotionally exhausting. Check in later to offer support or to help with memorial tasks.

Glossary of helpful terms and acronyms

• NICU Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The hospital unit for newborns who need extra medical attention. If this is part of the story, check with parents before sharing details.
• Obituary A published death notice with facts and service information.
• Visitation A time when friends and family gather to offer condolences. Sometimes called a wake.
• Celebration of life A more informal event that focuses on stories and memory sharing.
• Cremation The process of reducing a body to ashes. Families often decide whether to hold a separate memorial or scattering ceremony.
• Grief counselor A trained professional who helps individuals and families process loss and cope with trauma.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am barely holding it together

Start with a simple line stating your name and relationship to the child. For example My name is [Your Name] and I am [Child s name] great grandparent. Then say a single clear sentence about what you want people to remember. Practicing that opening until it feels familiar will steady you at the microphone.

What if I do not know many stories because I lived far away

Small things are fine. Share what you did know like FaceTime visits, holiday calls, or the way the child lit up when you arrived. If you really have only a few lines, a short heartfelt tribute is more meaningful than a long, generic speech.

Should I mention the cause of death

Only if the family wants it public. Often families ask speakers to avoid medical or legal details. Ask a parent or immediate family member before you include cause of death.

Can children be present during a eulogy for a great grandson

Yes. Younger children benefit from gentle, simple language. If the content might be too much, the family can plan a separate space or activity for kids. Explain any rituals beforehand so children are prepared.

What if I start crying during the eulogy

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. The room will wait. If you need a second, ask a family member to hold a short signal to step in. It is perfectly okay to be human in that moment.

How long should my eulogy be

Two to seven minutes is a good target. If many people are speaking coordinate with the family to stay within the service schedule.