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

Being asked to speak about your great uncle can feel oddly heavy and a little intimidating. He was not your parent but he mattered. Maybe he was the fun uncle who taught you how to fish. Maybe he was a quiet family pillar. This guide gives you a straightforward method to write a meaningful short speech, sample scripts you can adapt, and delivery tips that help you get through it without losing your place. We explain any terms or acronyms so nothing feels confusing and give real world examples to use as templates.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone who has been asked to speak about a great uncle at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, graveside service, or virtual gathering. You might be the obvious pick because you were close. You also might be the one who is good at public speaking in the family. Maybe your relationship was distant and you still want to say something thoughtful. All situations are covered with sample tones and lengths.

What is a eulogy and how it differs for a great uncle

A eulogy is a short speech that honors someone who has died. It aims to tell a story or hold up a few memories so people leave with a sense of who that person was. A eulogy for a great uncle usually sits between a close family eulogy and a friend s tribute. You can assume the audience includes extended family and friends who may not know every detail about him. That gives you permission to focus on a couple of clear things that will ring true for most listeners.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice that announces a death and typically lists basic facts such as birth date, survivors, and service details.
• Order of service The planned sequence of events at a funeral or memorial. It tells people who goes when and what is read or played.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that often focuses on stories, photos, and sharing rather than rituals.
• Officiant The person who leads the service. This could be a clergy person, a celebrant, or a family friend.
• Graveside A service held at the cemetery by the burial site.

How long should a eulogy for a great uncle be

Short and clear is usually better. Aim for two to five minutes which is about 300 to 700 spoken words. If multiple people are speaking, confirm a time limit so the event stays on schedule. For a great uncle a compact speech that focuses on a few vivid details tends to land better than a long list of facts.

Before you start writing

Spend a little time preparing. That avoids the trap of writing the first thing that comes to mind and then second guessing it.

• Ask about time Check with the family or officiant how long you should speak and where your words fit in the order of service.
• Choose the tone Decide if you want to be tender, funny, formal, or a mix. When in doubt, ask a close family member which tone matches the great uncle s personality.
• Gather material Collect dates if you need them, nicknames, one or two clear memories, and any favorite sayings or songs. Ask a parent, aunt, or cousin for one memory each to enrich your piece.
• Pick two or three focus points Simple is strong. Pick the few things you want people to remember about him such as his generosity, his sense of humor, his work, or his role in family traditions.

Structure that works

A small structure gives your speech shape and helps you remember it under stress. Use this simple template.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to him. Offer one line that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of his life in a few plain strokes. Focus on roles like brother, uncle, veteran, or hobbyist.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character. Keep them specific and sensory.
• Summary of traits Say what people will miss or what lessons he left behind.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, a short quote, or a call to action like sharing a favorite memory after the service.

How to write the opening

Open simply. Give your name and your relation and then a one sentence thought about him. That gives you a second to breathe and helps the audience understand your perspective.

Opening examples

• Hello everyone. I am Maya and I am John s great niece. Today I d like to share one small way he made every family gathering feel like home.
• Hi. My name is Daniel and I was lucky to have Uncle Frank in my life since I was little. He taught me how to fix a bike and how to be stubborn about right and wrong.
• Good afternoon. I am Sara and I am his niece. Tom had a laugh that filled the room and he wanted you to know you belonged.

Writing a life sketch for a great uncle

The life sketch should be short and true. Avoid listing every job he held. Focus on roles that shaped the family story.

Life sketch template

[Name] was born in [place] in [year]. He served as [role] or worked as [job]. More importantly to us he was a brother, an uncle, and later a great uncle who never missed a family barbecue. He loved [hobby], lived by [short personal value], and had a way of [memorable habit].

Choosing anecdotes that matter

Anecdotes bring a person to life. Pick stories that are short, sensory, and show rather than tell.

Good anecdote examples

• When I was seven he taught me how to bait a hook. He did not do the tidy patient thing. He let me mess up and then taught me to laugh and try again. That is how he taught everything.
• He had a secret cookie jar under the oven. We all suspected it and he pretended not to know. The truth was he liked the small mischief of sharing sugar at midnight.
• At every graduation he was the one shaking everyone s hand and asking about future plans. He believed a small gesture of interest meant more than a big speech.

How to handle distance or complicated feelings

Not every relationship with a great uncle is full of stories. If you were distant you can still speak honestly and kindly. Focus on small truths rather than forced emotion.

Examples for distance or complexity

• I did not see Uncle Joe often, but when we did he always asked me about school and remembered the name of my dog. Those small things mattered.
• We had our disagreements and some distance over the years. Even so he taught me the value of showing up when it counts. That is how I remember him.

Using humor the right way

Humor is allowed and often welcome. Use small earned jokes that reveal character rather than son suit an attack or embarrass anyone. Test your joke on one honest friend if possible.

Safe humor examples

• He claimed he was teaching us life skills when really he was showing off how perfectly he could toast a marshmallow.
• Uncle Sam had two rules at family dinner. Rule one was eat up. Rule two was do not talk politics until after dessert. Most of us obeyed rule two most of the time.

What to avoid in a eulogy for a great uncle

• Avoid rambling biographies that list every job and date. People want a story not a resume.
• Avoid airing private grievances in public. If you must acknowledge difficulty, keep it concise and dignified.
• Avoid jokes that single out family members in a mean way.
• Avoid overly long quotations that take away from your personal voice.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples written in different tones and lengths. Replace bracketed text with personal details to make them yours.

Example 1: Short and sweet great uncle eulogy, two minute version

Hello everyone. I am Nora and I am his great niece. Uncle Pete loved two things more than most people knew. He loved his garden and he loved telling bad puns with absolute confidence. When I was small he would let me help pull weeds and then praise me like I had built a skyscraper. The thing I will miss most is how he celebrated small wins. He made you feel like any small victory mattered. Thank you for being here and for celebrating him with us.

Example 2: Funny and warm, three minute version

Hi. I am Alex, a proud member of the family that benefited from Uncle Lou s questionable cooking. Lou had a toast recipe that could char bread at twenty paces and still call it artisan. He was also the guy who could fix a lawn mower with duct tape and optimism. But the misadventures were part of his charm. What he could not fix with tape he fixed with presence. He showed up for graduations, birthdays, and terrible weather. He taught us to laugh at small failures and to celebrate trying. Tonight we laugh because he would want that and we remember because he deserved that much attention. Thank you, Uncle Lou, for the stories and for the stitches of joy you left in our lives.

Example 3: For a great uncle who was a veteran or community leader

Good afternoon. I am James and I am his nephew. Uncle Frank served in the navy for twenty years. He returned with a quiet steadiness that shaped the family. He was the person others turned to for practical advice and for help building a deck or filling out a form. He believed in service and he lived it by volunteering at the community center. The lessons he gave us were not grand speeches. They were shown by doing. He taught us to honor your commitments and to fix what you can for the people around you. We will miss his steady hand and his steady heart.

Example 4: For a complicated relationship, honest and respectful

My name is Priya. My relationship with my great uncle was not simple. He could be stubborn and at times distant. In his later years he became kinder and softer in ways I had not expected. We had conversations in which he admitted mistakes and I learned to accept apologies. What I carry forward is the understanding that people can change and that forgiveness is a family work. I am grateful for those late conversations and for the small kindnesses that mattered more than I knew at the time.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to draft quickly and then edit to sound like you.

Template A: Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I am [great uncle s name] great niece or nephew. [Name] loved [one hobby]. He worked as [job] and he showed up for family in small practical ways like [example]. One memory that shows his character is [brief story]. He taught me [short lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here with us.

Template B: Funny and personal

Hi. I am [Your Name]. Uncle [Name] had rules about the remote and about second helpings of dessert. He taught me to [funny skill] and to never take life too seriously. My favorite memory is [short funny story]. I will miss his laugh and his willingness to be ridiculous. Thank you for sharing this time with us.

Template C: Formal and respectful

Good [morning afternoon]. My name is [Your Name] and I am [relation]. [Name] served as [role]. He was a person of quiet integrity who believed in [value]. One small example of that was [brief story]. Today we honor his life and the ways he made our family stronger. Thank you.

Practical tips for delivery

Grief and nerves make speaking harder than you expect. These tactics keep you steady.

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper is more forgiving than a phone in a bright venue.
• Use index cards One or two lines per card helps you find your place if you lose your train of thought.
• Mark emotional beats Put a bracket or underline where you want to pause or breathe. Pauses are not mistakes. They are breathing room.
• Practice once or twice out loud At least once with a friend or to yourself will make the words easier to find on the day.
• Bring tissues and water A small bottle of water helps keep your throat clear. Tissues are obviously a must.
• Arrange a backup If you think you may not finish because of emotion, have a friend or family member ready to step in with a short line to close.
• Mic technique Hold the microphone a few inches from your mouth and speak slowly. If there is no mic, speak deliberately and project to the back row.

When the service is virtual

If the service is online make sure your audio and camera work. Choose a quiet spot with a neutral background. Test your microphone ahead of time and mute notifications on your devices. Keep your remarks shorter than you might at an in person event since virtual audiences have less patience for long speeches.

Logistics and who to tell

• Confirm your speaking time and placement with the officiant or funeral director.
• Ask if they will print your text in the program or if they want a copy for the person running the service.
• Check whether music will play before or after you speak so you know if you need to pause.

Recording the eulogy and sharing it

Ask permission from the family before sharing recordings online. Some relatives prefer privacy. If sharing is approved pick a platform and add a short note about how people can send condolences or memories privately.

Checklist before you step up to speak

• Confirm your time limit with the family or officiant.
• Print your speech in large font and bring a backup copy.
• Practice out loud at least once.
• Mark pauses and emotional beats in your copy.
• Bring tissues and a bottle of water.
• Tell a family member you may need a moment and arrange a small signal if you want them to finish.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Obituary A written notice about a death that usually includes biographical facts and service details.
• Order of service The schedule for a funeral or memorial listing readings, music, and speakers.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories and memories rather than ritual.
• Officiant The person who leads the ceremony.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to help carry or escort the casket at burial.
• RSVP This stands for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. It is 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 relationship and then a single clear sentence about your great uncle. Practicing that opening a few times will give you a steady start. Simple introductions buy you one or two calm breaths before you continue.

What if I do not have many memories of my great uncle

Ask family members for one small memory. You can also speak about his habits, roles in the family, or what others said about him. Honesty about distance can be meaningful for listeners who had a similar relationship.

Can I use humor when speaking about an elder like a great uncle

Yes. Small, kind humor that reveals character is often very welcome. Keep jokes light and avoid anything that could embarrass family members or demean the deceased.

How do I include a reading or a poem

Pick a short excerpt rather than a long poem. Confirm with the officiant that the reading fits the schedule and the tone. Print the text in the program if possible.

What if I start crying and cannot finish

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you cannot continue have a designated person ready to finish with a short closing line. Many people plan for this possibility and it is perfectly acceptable.

Should I give my speech to the family or the funeral home

Yes. Giving a copy to the officiant or funeral director helps them stay on schedule and makes it easy to print the text in a program or memory book if the family wants that.