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

Writing a eulogy for your great nephew can feel impossible and important at the same time. You want to honor a life that mattered, capture a personality that people loved, and do it in a way that feels true to your family. This guide gives practical steps, real examples for different ages and relationships, fill in the blank templates, and delivery tips that actually help. We explain terms you might not know and include sample scripts that you can adapt. Read through, pick a template, and start writing one honest sentence at a time.

Who this guide is for

This article is for great aunts, great uncles, cousins, friends, and anyone asked to speak about a great nephew at a funeral, memorial, graveside service, or celebration of life. Maybe you are the adult who always had a special soft spot for that kid. Maybe you were close even though you lived far away. Maybe the relationship was complicated. That is okay. There are examples for baby, child, teen, and adult great nephews and for short and longer remarks.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors a person who has died. It usually appears during a funeral or memorial. A eulogy is different from an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that records facts like birth date, survivors, and service details. A eulogy is personal. It is a story, a feeling, and it is allowed to be imperfect.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A published written notice announcing a death with basic biographical facts and service information.
• Order of service The schedule for the funeral, memorial, or celebration of life listing readings, music, and speakers.
• Pallbearer A person who helps carry a casket. Usually chosen from close family and friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering focused on stories, photos, and honoring the person rather than ritual.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for people nearing the end of life. This care can be provided at home or in a facility.
• RSVP An abbreviation for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. It is used on invitations to ask people to confirm attendance.
• Funeral director A professional who helps plan and run the funeral or memorial service and coordinates logistics.

How long should a eulogy be

Short and focused usually works best. Aim for two to seven minutes. That is roughly 250 to 900 spoken words depending on your pace. If the service has multiple speakers check with the family or officiant about time limits. A clear three minute tribute can feel more meaningful than a scattered ten minute speech.

Before you start writing

Take a few practical steps that make writing easier.

• Check with the family or officiant Confirm how long you should speak and where your remarks fit into the order of service.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be quiet and tender, light with a little humor, or a mix of both? Match the tone to the person and the family s wishes.
• Gather memories Ask other relatives or friends for one memory each. Small details matter more than a long list of accomplishments.
• Pick two or three focus points Choose a short list of things you want people to remember about your great nephew. That gives your remarks shape and keeps them memorable.
• Decide who is speaking with you If children or other family members are also speaking, coordinate to avoid repeating the same story.

Structure that works

Use a simple structure to make writing less intimidating.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to the great nephew. Keep the first line short. It grounds the audience and gives you a breath.
• Life sketch Offer a few practical details about age, place, school, hobbies, and personality traits. Keep it brief and human.
• Anecdotes Share one or two short stories that reveal character. Make them sensory and end with a line that explains why they matter.
• Meaning Say what people learned from him or what people will miss. This is the emotional takeaway.
• Closing End with a single inviting line a short quote, a direct goodbye, or a request like lighting a candle or sharing memories over refreshments.

How to write the opening

Open with your name and relationship. Then give one simple sentence that sets the tone.

Opening examples you can adapt

• Hi, I m Dana and I was lucky to be Alex s great aunt. Alex had the kind of laugh that made bad days better.
• Hello everyone. I m Marcus, his great uncle. Wyatt could fall asleep anywhere and still wake up ready to race you to the ice cream truck.
• Good afternoon. I m Priya, cousin to Nora s mom. Nora loved to draw everything she saw, especially dogs with hats.

How to write a life sketch for a great nephew

The life sketch is not a full biography. Pick facts that support the story you want to tell. If your great nephew was a child include school, favorite games, and family roles. If he was an adult include work, passions, and community roles. Use plain language and avoid listing every achievement.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was [age] years old. He lived in [city], loved [hobby], and could always be found with [signature item]. He went to [school or workplace] and was known for [one or two traits].
• [Name] grew up in [place] and moved to [city] with his family. He loved [activity]. He was the kid who always [quirky habit].

Anecdotes that matter

People remember stories. Short, vivid moments beat long generalizations. Aim for set up, action, and payoff in each anecdote.

Good anecdote examples

• When he was seven he convinced the whole family to have breakfast for dinner. He declared pancakes more festive at night and we went along. He kept the party mood even during serious times.
• At school he started a kindness club that made sure new kids had someone to sit with at lunch. He did not need a title to make space for others.
• During a family camping trip he refused to leave the riverbank until he had caught a fish to cook. He was stubborn in the best way. He wanted to learn how things worked by doing them himself.

Writing for a baby or young child great nephew

Grief for a baby or very young child is raw and complicated. Keep the eulogy short and centered on the light the child brought.

Example lines

• We only had you for a little while, Milo, but in that little while you taught us how to stop arguing and just stare at a tiny hand for minutes that felt like forever.
• Even in his short life, Jude made rooms quieter in the best way. People slowed down when he was born and that time mattered to everyone who loved him.

Writing for a teenager great nephew

With teens you can mention schools, passions, friendships, and plans that were cut short. Avoid gory or graphic details. Honor dreams and the person they were becoming.

Teen example

• Sam wanted to be an animation artist. He drew every spare second. If you keep one of his drawings you will see how he noticed small funny things no one else did.

Writing for an adult great nephew

If your great nephew was an adult include work, community involvement, relationships, and defining character traits. Use a couple of short stories to illustrate who he was beyond job titles.

Adult example

• Rafael worked as an EMT. He was calm in a crisis and full of jokes once the ambulance doors closed. He treated strangers like neighbors and neighbors like family.

Addressing sudden death or long illness

If the death was sudden you can name the shock and the small ways the person is still present. If the death followed an illness you can honor the ways the family provided care and the qualities that mattered through the hard months. Both approaches can be honest without being clinical.

Sample lines

• We did not expect this at all. It still feels unreal. But if you knew Eli, you know how he filled rooms with music. That music stays with us.
• During the last months, he taught us about bravery we had not expected. He was impatient with pity and generous with jokes. Those memories are real and lasting.

Examples you can adapt

Example 1: Short tender eulogy for a young child

Hello. I m Anna, his great aunt. We only had Jonah for three years, but Jonah brought a calm that changed our family. He loved bath toys, bedtime songs, and pointing at birds like they were old friends. One night he crawled into my lap and fell asleep with his thumb in his mouth. I looked at him and felt everything else could wait. He reminded us to slow down. We will miss him with a sharpness that hurts and a gratitude that is quiet. Thank you for being here to hold his memory with us.

Example 2: Casual, slightly funny tribute for a teen

Hi everyone. I m Sam s great uncle, Tom. If you knew Sam you know three things. He drove like a friendly raccoon, he loved graphic novels, and he could fix almost anything except a broken playlist. He once spent an afternoon teaching his little cousin how to make a paper airplane that actually flew. That was him. He made skill into a game and then taught you how to get better. We are going to miss his sarcasm, his playlists that somehow worked, and the way he always answered his phone. Thanks for being here to remember him with us.

Example 3: Adult great nephew, community focus

Hello. I m Priya, great aunt to Daniel. Daniel chose work that mattered to him. He mentored kids at the rec center and insisted that everyone got access to sports regardless of money or ability. He did the quiet work most people never notice and he did it because he thought it was the right thing to do. His generosity was steady. If you are wondering how to honor him, consider volunteering once this year. That feels like something he would want.

Example 4: For a complicated relationship

My name is Liam. I was sometimes close to Mason and sometimes distant. We did not always understand each other, but when he was in trouble I showed up. In the last year we had small talks that felt like repair. Mason made me laugh in ways I did not expect. I will carry those laughs with me. Not every relationship is simple. Talking about him today is a small act of gratitude for the moments that taught me how to be better.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates and replace bracketed text with your details. Edit until it sounds like you. Read out loud and trim anything that feels extra.

Template A: Short and tender

My name is [Your Name] and I am [relationship]. [Name] was [age] years old. He loved [one hobby or thing]. One small memory that shows who he was is [brief story]. He taught us [one lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here with our family.

Template B: Light with humor

Hi, I m [Your Name]. To know [Name] was to know that he [quirky habit]. He also taught us to [practical lesson]. My favorite story is [short funny memory]. He would want us to laugh today and to remember that life is for living loud. Thank you.

Template C: For long illness

My name is [Your Name]. The last months with [Name] were full of small, honest moments. He showed patience, stubbornness, and an unexpected softness. I will remember [specific detail]. He taught us about courage and how to be present. We will miss him and we will carry his lessons forward.

Practical tips for delivery

• Print your speech Use a large font and bring a backup paper copy. Phones can glare or ring at the worst time.
• Use index cards One or two lines per card keep you from getting lost and feel less formal to hold.
• Mark pauses Put a simple symbol where you want to breathe. Pauses help the audience process and give you time to feel.
• Practice out loud Read your words at least three times before the service. Practice helps your voice when emotions arise.
• Bring tissues Tears are normal. If you need a moment, take it. People will wait.
• Arrange support Tell someone you may need help finishing. Have them ready to step up and say the last sentence if needed.

Including children in the service

If young children are going to be present consider their needs. Kids process grief differently. If a child is speaking coach them to use one or two lines. Offer to read for them if they prefer. For very young children have a quiet area where caregivers can take them if they become overwhelmed.

Music, photos, and readings

Short song clips, a small photo slideshow, or a brief poem can support a eulogy. Keep poems short or pick a short excerpt. Confirm with the officiant about timing and tech. If there is recorded music check with the venue about playing a track between speakers.

Logistics and who to tell

• Give a copy of your remarks to the funeral director or the person running the order of service in case they need it for the program.
• Confirm where you will stand and whether there will be a microphone.
• Ask about recording if family members who cannot attend want a copy.

Checklist before you speak

• Confirm time limit with the family or officiant.
• Print your speech with large font and bring a backup.
• Practice at least three times out loud.
• Mark pauses and emotional beats.
• Bring tissues and a bottle of water if allowed.
• Tell a family member you might need help and agree on a signal if you want them to finish a line.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A spoken tribute at a funeral or memorial that honors the person who died.
• Obituary A written announcement about a death that usually includes biographical details and service information.
• Order of service The schedule for the event listing speakers, music, and readings.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to carry the casket. Usually family or close friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal event focused on stories, photos, and remembrance rather than religious ritual.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for people nearing the end of life. It can take place in home or a facility.
• RSVP A request on invitations asking guests to confirm attendance. It stands for respond s il vous plait.
• Funeral director The professional who helps plan and run the funeral and coordinates logistics.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Begin with your name and your relationship to the great nephew. A short opening like Hi, I m [Your Name] and I was [Name] s great aunt buys you a breath to settle. Practice that opening out loud until it feels familiar. That will steady you at the microphone.

What if I cry and cannot continue

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a minute take it. People will wait. Have a designated person ready to step in and finish a closing line if necessary. Keeping your remarks concise also lowers the chance that you will not be able to finish.

Should I mention cause of death

Only if the family wants you to. You do not need to provide medical or private details. Focus on who the person was and what they meant to you and the community.

Can children give a eulogy

Yes. Keep their part very short, one or two lines. Offer to help them write and practice. Some kids prefer to draw a picture or read a short poem instead of speaking.

How do I balance humor and respect

Use small, earned humor that comes from a real story about the person. Avoid jokes that might embarrass or single out people in the room. Follow a joke with a sincere line to reconnect the tone.

What if multiple people want to tell the same story

Coordinate with family and friends before the service. Decide who will tell which memory so the audience hears a few different sides of the person instead of the same anecdote repeated.