How to Write a Eulogy for Your Mimi - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for your Mimi can feel impossible and necessary at the same time. Your Mimi might mean comfort, cookies, and a million tiny traditions. Or maybe she was a fierce presence who taught you to stand tall. This guide gives clear steps, relatable examples, and fill in the blank templates you can use right away. We explain terms you might not know and offer delivery tips that actually work. Read through, pick a template, and start writing with confidence.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone who has been asked to speak about their Mimi at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or graveside service. Maybe you are the grandchild who spent summers at her house. Maybe you are the family member who can tell a story without getting lost in grief. Maybe your relationship was complicated. That is okay. There are sample scripts for gentle, funny, messy, and short needs.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech given to honor a person who has died. It usually appears during a funeral or memorial service. A eulogy is not the same as an obituary. An obituary is a written notice with basic facts like birth date, survivors, and service information. A eulogy is personal. It is a story. It can be imperfect and still be true to the person you loved.

Useful terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice that announces a death and usually includes service details.
• Order of service The schedule for a funeral or memorial listing readings, music, and speakers.
• Pallbearer Someone chosen to help carry the casket. They are often close relatives or friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and memories.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and support for people nearing the end of life. Hospice can be delivered at home or in a facility.
• RSVP Abbreviation of the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond. It tells people to confirm attendance.

How long should a eulogy be

A short clear tribute is usually better than a long ramble. Aim for three to seven minutes. That is about four hundred to eight hundred spoken words. If you are nervous, a tight honest speech will land more than a long speech that loses focus.

Before you start writing

Some prep makes this easier. Use this quick checklist to get started.

• Ask about time Confirm how long you are expected to speak and where your eulogy fits in the order of service.
• Decide the tone Do you want solemn, celebratory, funny, or a mix? Check with family so the tone fits the person and the crowd.
• Gather material Collect nicknames, stories, sayings, and habits. Ask siblings or cousins for one memory each.
• Pick three focus points Choose three things you want people to remember. Three keeps your speech focused and memorable.

Structure that actually works

Structure gives your listeners and you permission to follow along. Try this simple shape when you write.

• Opening Say who you are and why you are speaking. Offer one line that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a short overview of Mimi s life. Focus on roles like daughter, mother, neighbor, volunteer, or baker.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that show character. These can be funny or tender.
• Lessons and traits Summarize what Mimi taught people or the habits people will miss.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, a favorite quote, a short poem excerpt, or a call to action like sharing a memory after the service.

How to write the opening

The opening should be simple. Start with your name and your relationship to Mimi. Then say one sentence about what the day is for. Practicing this opening a few times will steady you when you start to speak.

Opening examples you can use

• Hello. I am Maya and I am Mimi s eldest granddaughter. Today we are here to remember the way she made every room smell like lemon and cinnamon.
• Hi everyone. I am Jamal, her grandson. Mimi taught me how to make fried plantains and how to tell the truth even when it is hard.
• Hello. My name is Lin and I am Mimi s niece. Mimi believed in big hugs and that everyone deserved a second slice of cake.

Writing the life sketch

The life sketch is not a full biography. Pick the facts that help your story. Mention roles and small details that tug at memory. Avoid listing every job. Think about what made Mimi Mimi.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born in [place] in [year]. She worked as a [job] and later as a [role]. She was a daughter, a mother, and a proud Mimi to [names or number].
• [Name] moved to [city] after [event]. She loved [hobby], collected [object], and had a habit of [quirky habit].

Anecdotes that stick

Stories are the heart of a eulogy. Pick short scenes with a clear payoff. A good story has a setup a small action and a line that explains why it matters.

Short anecdote examples

• When I was seven Mimi taught me how to make her secret tomato sauce. Her rule was stir like you mean it. I still say that line when cooking for friends.
• She had a ritual of leaving a dollar in every birthday card. It was not about money. It was her way of saying you matter enough to keep saving.
• On road trips she would narrate the scenery like it was the best show on earth. She believed that noticing small things was a kind of gratitude practice.

Addressing complicated relationships

Not every relationship with a Mimi is simple. If yours was complicated you can still speak with honesty and dignity. Acknowledge the complexity without airing private grievances. Focus on resolution lessons or small reconciliations.

Examples for complicated relationships

• My relationship with Mimi was not always easy. We argued about the right way to do things and sometimes we did not speak for weeks. In the last year we relearned how to laugh together. That felt like a gift.
• She could be blunt and stubborn. Those same traits also meant she protected the people she loved fiercely. I am grateful for that energy even when it was hard.

Using humor the right way

Humor can give people permission to breathe. Use small earned jokes not shock value. Test your jokes with a trusted friend. Avoid anything that might shame someone in the room.

Safe humor examples

• Mimi had two speeds slow and faster than you expected. If she promised to be five minutes she meant five minutes and then some.
• She kept a drawer of emergency snacks that tasted like a mystery. We called them Mimi s survival rations and they saved many family gatherings.

What to avoid when writing a eulogy

• Avoid letting the speech become a therapy session. A funeral is not the place for ongoing family disputes.
• Avoid private family secrets or gossip that could embarrass people present.
• Avoid long lists of facts without stories that make them human.
• Avoid clichés unless you immediately add a specific detail that makes them true.

Full eulogy examples for Mimi you can adapt

Below are complete examples. Replace bracketed text with your details and practice reading them aloud. Keep or remove lines to fit your time and tone.

Example 1 Tender and practical about three to four minutes

Hello. My name is Sophie and I am Mimi s granddaughter. It is an honor to say a few words about her today.

Mimi, whose name was Rose, was born in New Orleans and moved here when she married. She worked as a seamstress and later volunteered at the community center. She had a small garden that was her pride and a laugh that came from her toes.

One memory that captures her is Saturday mornings. She would make coffee strong enough to wake the neighbors and then sit at the kitchen table with a stack of magazines. If someone entered the kitchen without saying hello she would pretend to be offended and then hand them a cookie. That small ritual taught me that hospitality is an action not a feeling.

She taught us patience with people and stubbornness about doing the right thing. Her generosity was quiet but constant. She never missed a birthday and she always had time for a quick phone call when you needed to hear her voice. We will miss the smell of her kitchen and the sound of her singing along to the radio. Thank you for being here to remember her.

Example 2 Short modern eulogy under two minutes

Hi everyone. I am Eli and I am Mimi s grandson. Mimi loved a good joke a messy cookbook and family movie nights. She taught me to be kind and to always carry a spare pen. We will miss her cookies and her fierce way of showing up. Thank you for sharing this time with us.

Example 3 Complicated and honest

My name is Nora. My Mimi was complicated in both difficult and beautiful ways. She could be stubborn and fierce and she could also be the most generous person in a room. We had our disagreements but we also had moments that felt like repair. In her later years she forgave things she had held on to for a long time and in that forgiveness she taught me how to let small things go. I am grateful for those lessons.

Example 4 Celebration of life with humor

Hello. I am Marco, her grandson. If you met Mimi you know she had a rule about everything and a final answer about none of it. Rule number one was always save room for dessert. Rule number two was do not lie about where you put the remote. She loved loud music and louder opinions and she made every house feel like home. Today we celebrate her messy brilliant ways and we invite you to tell your favorite Mimi story after the service. Please laugh with us as we remember her.

Fill in the blank templates for Mimi

Fill in the blanks then edit to make it sound like you. Read it out loud and cut anything that feels forced.

Template A Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Mimi s name] grandchild. [Mimi s name] was born in [place or year]. She loved [one hobby], she worked as [job], and she was the person we called when [small task]. One memory that shows the kind of person she was is [short story]. She taught me [value or lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here and supporting our family.

Template B For complicated relationships

My name is [Your Name]. My relationship with [Mimi s name] was complicated. We argued about [small example] and we made up in ways that were awkward and true. In the last [months years] we [spoke more reconciled found common ground]. If I could say one thing to her now it would be [short line you want to say].

Template C Light and funny with sincerity

Hi I am [Your Name]. To know [Mimi s name] was to know that [quirky habit]. She also taught us practical things like [life practical skill]. My favorite memory is [funny small story]. Even when she told a bad joke she meant to make us laugh. I will miss her jokes and her toothpaste advice. Thank you for being here.

Practical tips for delivery

Speaking while grieving is hard. These practical tactics keep you steady.

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper can be less distracting than screens when emotions run high.
• Use cue cards Index cards with a couple of lines on each make it easy to keep your place.
• Mark pauses Put a note where you want to breathe or expect a laugh. Pauses give you time to steady your voice.
• Practice out loud Read to a friend to feel how the words sit in your mouth.
• Bring tissues Or a handkerchief. If you stop, breathe and then continue. People understand.
• Have a backup If you think you may not get through it have a designated friend or family member ready to finish one sentence for you.
• Mic technique Keep the microphone two or three inches from your mouth and speak at a steady pace. If no mic is available speak slowly and project to the back row.

When you feel yourself starting to cry

If tears come pause and breathe. Look down at your notes and take a sip of water. If your voice breaks slow down. Saying fewer words more slowly often becomes more powerful. You are allowed to be human in that room.

Including poems readings and music

Short excerpts work best. If you include a poem choose a two to four line excerpt instead of reading a long piece. Ask the officiant if the reading fits the service. For music select songs Mimi loved or songs that match the tone. If you plan recorded music check with the venue about playing a track between speakers.

Logistics to check

• Tell the funeral director if you need a microphone or plan to hand out printed copies.
• Confirm with the officiant where you will stand and how long you may speak.
• Give a copy of your speech to the person running the order of service in case they need it for the program or memory book.

Sharing the eulogy after the service

People will likely ask for a copy. Offer to email it or to provide a printed version. Families sometimes include the eulogy in a program or memory book. You can also record the audio and share it privately. Ask permission before posting anything online as some families prefer privacy.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who died.
• Obituary A written announcement of a death that usually includes service details.
• Order of service The plan for the funeral or memorial listing the sequence of events.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to carry the casket. Typically a close friend or relative.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that often focuses on stories and photos.
• Hospice Care that focuses on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing end of life. It can happen at home or in a facility.
• RSVP Abbreviation meaning please respond. It is used on invitations to ask people to confirm their attendance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy for my Mimi if I am nervous

Begin with your name and your relationship. A short opening like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I am Mimi s granddaughter gives your audience context and gives you a breath to settle. Practice that line until it feels familiar. It will steady you when you begin.

What if I forget my place or start crying

Pause breathe and look at your notes. If needed take a few seconds to collect yourself. If you cannot continue have a designated person ready to finish one line. Many people plan a short note the other person can read so the speech can finish smoothly.

Can I include humor in a eulogy

Yes small earned humor is often welcome. Use jokes that are based on real memories and test them on a trusted friend. Avoid anything that could embarrass family or upset listeners. Follow up a joke with a sincere line to reconnect the tone.

How long should a eulogy for Mimi be

Three to seven minutes is a good target. Shorter speeches are often more memorable and easier for the speaker to manage. If multiple people are speaking check with family to coordinate times so the service remains on schedule.

Should I read the eulogy from my phone

You can but practice with the device first so you are not surprised by screen brightness or notifications. Many people prefer paper or index cards because they are easier to handle when emotions run high.

Should I give a copy of the eulogy to the funeral home or officiant

Yes. Providing a copy helps the officiant and the person running the service stay on schedule. It also makes it easier to include the text in a program or memory book if the family wants that.