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

Writing a eulogy for your great great grandfather can feel both distant and deeply personal. You might not have known him well, or maybe you grew up on his stories. This guide walks you through a simple process to craft a meaningful tribute. We explain terms as they come up and give real examples and templates you can copy and adapt. Whether you need something short and sweet or a longer life sketch that ties family history together, this guide has you.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a great great grandfather at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, graveside service, or family gathering. Maybe you are the oldest living relative who can frame a family story. Maybe you are the youngest who grew curious and wants to honor ancestor legacy. You do not need to be a public speaker. You just need to be honest about what you know and willing to share what matters.

What is a eulogy and how is it different from related items

A eulogy is a short speech delivered at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who has died. It is personal and mainly made of memories, character notes, and the meaning the person had for family and friends.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice or published article that announces a death and gives basic facts like birth date, survivors, and service details.
• Order of service The schedule of events for the funeral or memorial listing what happens and when. Think of it as the event program.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and remembering the person in a lighter tone.
• Officiant The person who leads the service. This could be a clergy member, celebrant, or a trusted family friend.
• Legacy The patterns of behavior, values, and stories that a person leaves behind in a family or community.

Why honoring a great great grandfather matters

Even if your connection is through stories and photos, honoring a great great grandfather helps a family remember where they came from. You are giving context to younger relatives. You are making the past feel human instead of remote. Eulogies for ancestors can bridge generations and preserve small details that otherwise vanish.

How long should the eulogy be

Short and focused often lands better than long and meandering. Aim for three to seven minutes. That is about 400 to 800 spoken words. If multiple people will speak, coordinate times so the service stays on schedule.

Before you start writing

Gathering what you need before you write makes the process simpler and kinder to your emotions.

• Ask the family or officiant about time Confirm how long you have and where your remarks fit in the order of service.
• Collect stories Talk to older relatives and ask for one memory each. Scan family photos for dates, places, and details that spark a quick story.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be formal, conversational, funny, or reflective? Check with close family so your tone fits shared expectations.
• Pick two or three focus points With ancestors, pick small themes like resilience, humor, a migration story, or a family ritual they started.

Structure that works

A clear structure gives you permission to be brief and readable. Use this shape.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to the deceased. Offer one line that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a short factual outline. For an ancestor, include where they were born, notable moves, key roles, and any known dates if helpful.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character. With older relatives you may rely on stories told by others. Attribute those memories clearly.
• Impact and legacy Say what they passed down to the family. This can be a value, a recipe, a saying, or a habit.
• Closing Offer a goodbye sentence, a short quote, or an invitation for others to share memories after the service.

How to write the opening

Keep the opening simple. Start with your name and your relationship to the great great grandfather. That helps listeners place you and sets a comfortable pace.

Opening examples

• Good morning. I am Maya and I am the great great granddaughter of Thomas.
• Hello everyone. My name is Daniel and I am one of Robert s grandchildren. I never met my great great grandfather but I grew up on his stories.
• Hi. I am Ava. I am the family historian and I want to share a few small things about our ancestor Elias and what he still gives us today.

Writing the life sketch for an ancestor

A life sketch is not a full biography. For an ancestor, focus on the facts that help the story make sense. Use plain language and avoid listing everything. Mention where they were born, major life events, and any interesting details like occupations or a migration story.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born in [place] in [year]. He worked as a [job] and moved to [place] in [year]. He married [name] and they raised [number] children. He loved [hobby or habit].
• [Name] emigrated from [country] when he was [age]. He learned [skill], started a small business, and taught his family [value].

Anecdotes that make an ancestor real

Stories are how we connect to someone who lived before us. When you rely on stories told by others, attribute them and keep them short. A good anecdote has a setup, an action, and a line that explains why it matters to the family now.

Examples of short ancestor anecdotes

• My grandmother used to say that Julius always carried a pocket camera. She told me he would photograph weddings, harvests, and new houses. That habit left us a trunk of photos that still teach us how he saw the family.
• Family lore says that when he arrived in the city he learned English by listening to radio plays at night. That patience and curiosity felt like a quiet lesson for the next generations.
• Aunt June remembers how he fixed anything with wire and duct tape. We lost the original truck years ago but we still joke that if it can be fixed it will be fixed by family mechanics trained by him.

How to handle missing details or uncertain facts

It is okay not to know everything. Be transparent. Say I am not sure of the exact year or say this is how the story was told to me. Audiences appreciate honesty more than polished but inaccurate claims.

Examples

• The exact year he came to the country is a bit unclear, but family stories place it around the 1920s.
• I did not meet him, so I am sharing what my mother and her siblings told me about him.

Addressing complex family histories

Ancestor life stories can include hard topics like migration struggles, trauma, or loss. Name the truth simply and respectfully. You do not need to paint someone as perfect. Honest nuance is often more meaningful.

Examples

• He left his home with very little. That hardship shaped how he saved and how he taught his children to be careful with money.
• There were difficult times in his marriage. Still, the family remembers his generosity and community work. We can hold both facts together.

Using humor when honoring someone from another generation

Light, earned humor works well. It humanizes the ancestor and invites the room to smile. Avoid jokes that rely on stereotypes or that might make family members uncomfortable.

Safe humor examples

• People said he had two speeds, slow and slower. He took his time and that meant he noticed small things other people missed.
• He was famous for his cooking. The recipe book includes one instruction that reads stir until it looks right, which has guided generations of cooks and confused a few modern bakers.

What to avoid in a eulogy for an ancestor

• Avoid lengthy lists of dates with no story to connect them to feelings or meaning.
• Avoid gossip, family accusations, or private disputes that would upset the audience.
• Avoid reading without attribution when you are telling secondhand stories. Say who told you the story.
• Avoid over claiming certainty about facts you are unsure of.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are three adaptable examples for different tones and relationships. Replace bracketed text with your details and read aloud to make sure the voice feels natural.

Example 1: Warm family historian, about four minutes

Hello. My name is Jorge. I am the great great grandson of Manuel. I want to tell you a little about him and why the things he did still matter to us.

Manuel was born in a small village in 1898. He came to the United States in the 1920s and found work as a tailor. He married Rosa and together they raised three children. Family members remember him for his patience. He would sit for hours mending a jacket and talking to anyone who walked into his shop.

One story my aunt tells is that when money was tight he would barter a hem for a loaf of bread. That habit of helping with whatever he had taught his children that generosity is not measured by bank accounts. We still have a coat he mended and it is threadbare in places but full of memories.

He left us a legacy of quiet generosity and a trunk of photographs. I did not know him well myself, but his choices echo in our family. We cook his favorite stew on holidays and we tell his stories to the kids so they learn where we came from. Thank you for listening and for keeping his memory alive.

Example 2: Short and direct, under two minutes

Hi everyone. I am Sam and I am one of Samuel s great great grandchildren. I never met him but I grew up on his jokes and his old watch. The watch was never on time but he always knew how to make people laugh. That sense of humor is what I want to remember today. Thank you for being here.

Example 3: Reflective with a migration story

Good afternoon. My name is Leila. My great great grandfather Ahmed left his home when he was a young man. He crossed oceans and learned a new language by listening to neighbors and working long days. He taught his children to read and to keep a garden even in small spaces. To me the garden means persistence and hope. Whenever I plant seeds now I imagine him planting dreams for us. That is his legacy.

Fill in the blank templates

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

Template A: Classic ancestor eulogy

My name is [Your Name]. I am the [relationship, for example great great grandchild] of [Name]. [Name] was born in [place] in [year]. He worked as [job] and later [job or activity]. One family story that shows him is [brief story]. He taught us [value]. We remember him for [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here and sharing his memory with us.

Template B: Short modern memory

Hello. I am [Your Name]. I did not meet [Name] but I grew up on stories about his [small trait]. My favorite thing to hear was [short story]. That small habit now feels like a family instruction to [value]. Thank you for listening.

Template C: Migration and legacy

My name is [Your Name]. [Name] came from [place] with [one possession or detail]. He learned [skill] and made a life by [action]. His story taught us to [lesson]. We carry that lesson forward when we [ritual or practice]. Thank you.

Practical tips for delivery

Reading about someone feels different from speaking about them. These tips help you stay steady.

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper is easier to handle if you think you might cry.
• Use cue cards Short index cards with one idea each help you keep momentum and reduce the chance of losing your place.
• Mark pauses Put a bracket where you want to breathe or where listeners might laugh. Pauses give you time to gather yourself.
• Practice out loud Read it to a friend or a mirror. Practice fixes pacing and discovers sentences that do not sound like you.
• Bring water and tissues Small comforts make a big difference.
• Ask for a cue If you think you may need help, arrange a small signal with a family member who can step in briefly.

When you think you might cry

Crying is normal. Pause, breathe, and look down at your notes. Slow down and read fewer words more slowly. The audience will be patient. If you cannot continue, have a prearranged person ready to finish a closing line.

Including photos, music, and readings

Photos and music make ancestor stories visceral. Use short music clips and a handful of photos that tie to your anecdotes. If you include a reading or poem, pick a short excerpt unless you have assigned the whole piece to someone else.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the officiant if you will use slides or music so they can help with technical needs.
• Provide a printed copy of your remarks to the person running the order of service.
• If you want the eulogy included in a memory book or printed program, give a final copy in advance.

Sharing recordings and texts

Ask the family before posting recordings online. Some families prefer to keep a memorial private. If sharing is allowed, add a short note about who can contact the family for copies or donations if that is relevant.

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.
• Officiant The person who leads the service, like a clergy member or a celebrant.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering focused on memories, photos, and stories.
• Legacy The values, stories, and habits passed down through a family.
• RSVP Short for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. It asks people to confirm attendance on invitations.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy for a great great grandfather if I never met him

Begin with your name and relationship. Then say a short line about how you know him through family stories. A clear honest start like My name is [Your Name]. I am the great great grandchild of [Name]. I did not meet him but I grew up on stories that shaped my childhood gives listeners context and steadies you.

What if family members disagree about facts

Be transparent. Use phrases like Family stories say or According to my aunt. If there is major disagreement, avoid asserting uncertain facts. Focus on the values and legacy you can agree on.

Can I use a poem or prayer even if the family is not religious

Yes. Pick a short secular poem or a brief prayer that respects the family s wishes. Check with the officiant to be sure the piece fits the tone of the service.

How long should a eulogy for an ancestor be

Three to seven minutes is a helpful guideline. Keep it focused on two or three ideas so listeners remember the main points. Shorter is fine if others are speaking or if the family prefers brevity.

Should I include photos in the eulogy

Yes if you can. Photos help people connect to someone they may not remember. Use one to three key images that illustrate your story and coordinate with the person running the service for timing.

What do I do if I forget my place while speaking

Pause and breathe. Look at your notes and pick up at the next sentence. If you need a moment, slow down and say a short bridging sentence like I want to share one last memory before I finish. The audience will be patient.