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

Saying a few words for your Nonno can feel impossible and necessary at the same time. Nonno often means food, stories, nicknames, and a particular kind of stubborn love. This guide gives you a friendly, step by step method to write a eulogy that fits him and fits you. You will find examples you can adapt, Italian phrases explained so you know what to say, and practical delivery tips that actually help when you are nervous or emotional.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about their grandfather at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or graveside service. Maybe you are the oldest grandchild who knows the family stories. Maybe you are the quiet one and you were asked because you are closest or because Nonno asked you before he died. Maybe your relationship was complicated. All of that is okay. There are samples for sentimental, funny, brief, and complicated needs.

What is a eulogy and what is Nonno

A eulogy is a short speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor a person who has died. It is personal and story driven. An obituary is different. An obituary is a written notice with basic facts like dates and service details. A eulogy is how someone mattered to you and to others.

Nonno is the Italian word for grandfather. It is often used with affection and sometimes with a nickname like Nonno Gino or Nonno Bello. In families with Italian background, funerals may include specific cultural touches like prayer cards, rosaries, a wake with food, or music that was important to Nonno. Use what feels real to you and respectful to your family traditions.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A written notice about a death that usually includes where and when someone lived and funeral arrangements.
• Order of service The schedule for the funeral or memorial that lists readings, songs, and speakers.
• Pallbearer A person who helps carry the casket. They are usually close family or friends.
• Wake A gathering before the funeral where people pay respects. In some cultures wakes include food and storytelling.
• Rosary A set of prayers often recited at Catholic gatherings. If rosary prayers are part of the event, check with the family about timing.
• Celebration of life A less formal event that focuses on stories, photos, and laughter rather than ritual.

How long should a eulogy for your Nonno be

Short and focused usually works best. Aim for three to seven minutes. That equals roughly 400 to 800 spoken words. If multiple family members are speaking, plan a shorter piece so the whole event stays on time. A shorter eulogy can be powerful and less overwhelming if you are emotional.

Before you start writing

Do these things first to make the writing easier.

• Confirm timing Ask the family or officiant how long you should speak and where you fit in the order of service.
• Decide the tone Do you want the eulogy to be heartfelt, funny, or a mix? Check with close family so your tone fits the event.
• Collect stories Ask cousins, siblings, or close friends for a quick memory each. Small details like what Nonno always ordered for dinner matter more than a complete biography.
• Pick three focus points Choose three things you want people to remember about Nonno. Three points give structure and make writing faster.
• Ask about language If your family speaks Italian, decide if you want to use Italian words and explain them briefly in your speech if not everyone will understand.

Structure that works

Use this simple structure. It keeps you grounded and makes your message clear.

• Opening Say your name and your relationship to Nonno. Offer one sentence that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of his life. Focus on roles like immigrant, farmer, mechanic, storyteller, or grandfather.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that show his character. Use sensory details like the smell of garlic or the sound of his laugh.
• Lessons and traits Summarize the values he passed on like work ethic, generosity, or cuisine knowledge.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, a brief Italian phrase if meaningful, or invite people to share their memories over food after the service.

How to write the opening

Keep the opening short and clear. Your name and relationship give context and give you a breath. Then say one line about what you want people to remember.

Opening examples

• Hi everyone. I am Marco and I am Nonno Luigi s grandson. He loved to garden and to tell the same joke until everyone laughed anyway.
• My name is Rosa. I am Nonna s daughter and Nonno Carlo s daughter too. Today we remember how he made a house feel like home with bread and stories.
• Hello. I am Sam. Most of you called him Nonno. He taught me how to drive stick and how to eat olives without complaining.

Writing the life sketch

The life sketch is not a full resume. Pick a few facts that matter for the story you are telling. Keep it simple and human.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born in [place] in [year]. He moved to [city] when he was [age] and worked as a [job]. He made Sunday sauce for the whole block.
• [Name] came from [region in Italy] and carried that place with him through food, language, and stories about the sea or the farm.

Anecdotes that make people remember

Stories are the core of a eulogy. Pick short scenes that reveal personality. Keep them specific and sensory.

Good anecdote examples

• Nonno used to wake at five to make espresso and he never let anyone call it coffee. He would say espresso with two E s like it was a family name.
• He had a rule that nothing wasted. Leftover bread became toast. Scraps became soup. That rule taught us how to be practical and grateful.
• Every birthday he would hide coins in the cake for the kids to find. It was his way of making a small treasure hunt out of ordinary life.

How to include Italian words without losing people

Using Italian phrases can feel warm and authentic. Use one or two short phrases and translate them right away. That keeps everyone included.

• Try a line like Nonno used to say buongiorno, which means good morning, like it was a promise for the day.
• If you quote a prayer or prayer card, translate key lines so non Italian speakers understand the meaning.
• Avoid long paragraphs in Italian unless everyone understands the language well.

Addressing complicated relationships with honesty

Not every relationship with a grandfather is uncomplicated. You can be honest without being cruel. Acknowledge complexity and focus on small reconciliations or lessons.

Examples for complicated relationships

• Our relationship was not perfect. He was stubborn and I was stubborn too. Over time we made a language of small gestures and shared plates, and that was enough.
• He could be strict. He also taught me to work hard and to show up. I carry those lessons forward even when they were hard at the time.

Using humor the right way

Humor can offer relief. Use it gently and only if it is true to the person. Avoid jokes that might single out someone in the audience or that change the tone abruptly.

Safe humor examples

• Nonno had a zero tolerance policy for matching socks. If your socks matched he called it suspicious dedication to fashion.
• He believed garlic solved everything. He was right about many things but that fallacy worked for him.

What to avoid in a eulogy

• Avoid airing private family disputes in public.
• Avoid long lists of jobs without a story to make them human.
• Avoid one liners that might embarrass living family members.
• Avoid starting with a long apology for crying. Just breathe and begin.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

These examples follow the structure above. Replace brackets with your details and trim to fit the time you have.

Example 1: Warm and food focused, about 3 to 4 minutes

Hello. I am Giulia and I am Nonno Antonio s granddaughter. When I think of Nonno I smell tomato sauce and old books. He grew up in a small village in Calabria and came here in his twenties. He worked as a carpenter and carried that care into everything he made for us. He built our kitchen table and then he taught us how to argue politely at it.

One Sunday I was about eight and I tried to help roll meatballs. I made a terrible one that looked like a small planet. Nonno looked at it, laughed, and said that when you make food with love even strange shapes taste like home. He then put a little extra sauce on mine and declared it the best planet he had ever seen. That moment was how he made a child feel seen. He taught us that the table is a place for company and for service. He taught us how to feed people when words fail.

We will miss his jokes, his careful hands, and the way he insisted we say grazie before dessert. Please join us after the service for his sauce. Eat a spoonful and remember that he believed feeding each other was the clearest form of love. Thank you.

Example 2: Short and modern under two minutes

Hi everyone. I am Luca, his oldest grandson. Nonno loved soccer, pizza that was too hot, and telling us stories about the old country like they were superhero origin stories. He made sure we knew where we came from and how to laugh when things were tough. Thank you for being here and for holding him with us.

Example 3: Honest and complicated

My name is Nina. I am Nonno Sergio s granddaughter. We argued. He wanted things done his way and I wanted things done mine. Over the last few years we found a rhythm. He started calling me in the evenings to ask about my day. He was asking questions he had never asked before and that felt like a gift. I am grateful for that change and for those quiet moments. I will miss his voice on the phone and his patience at teaching me to tie a tie. Thank you.

Example 4: Celebration of life with humor

Hello. I am Marco. If you knew Nonno you know he had three loves: his wife, his tomato garden, and naps in that precise order depending on traffic. He claimed naps were research for living well. Today we celebrate his impatience for small talk and his generosity with wine. Laugh with us. Cry with us. Eat the biscotti afterward. He would want that.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to get started. Fill the blanks and then read it out loud. Edit to make it sound like you.

Template A: Classic sentimental

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Nonno s Name] [grandson granddaughter child]. [Nonno s Name] was born in [place]. He moved to [city] in [year] and worked as a [job]. He loved [hobby or food]. One memory that shows him best is [brief story]. He taught me [lesson]. We will miss [what people will miss]. Thank you for being here and for supporting our family.

Template B: Short and modern

Hi. I am [Your Name]. Nonno [Name] loved [one or two things]. He taught me [short lesson]. I will miss [small specific image]. Thank you for joining us.

Template C: For a complicated relationship

My name is [Your Name]. My relationship with Nonno [Name] was complicated. We argued about [small example] and made up over [shared habit]. In the end he showed me [positive quality]. If I could say one thing to him now it would be [short line].

Delivery tips for when you are emotional

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper can be easier to handle when emotions run high.
• Use cue cards One or two lines per card reduce the risk of losing your place.
• Mark pauses Put a note where you want the audience to laugh or where you need to breathe.
• Practice out loud Read it to a friend or to yourself. Practice helps your throat find the rhythm.
• Bring tissues and water Keep a small glass of water on a nearby table if allowed.
• Have a backup Ask a cousin or friend to be ready to read a closing line if you need help.
• Use a short opening line to steady you Your name and relationship as the first two sentences give you a moment to breathe.

When you cry while reading

If you cry that is okay. Pause. Breathe. Look at your notes. The audience will give you time. If your voice breaks, slow down and keep going. Saying fewer words more slowly often hits home more than a long stream of tears. If you cannot continue, a prepared person can step in for the last sentence.

How to include prayers, poems, and music

Short works work best. If you use a prayer like the Ave Maria or an Italian blessing, say a short translation afterward. If you include a poem, pick an excerpt that is two to four lines long. Music is powerful. Choose a song Nonno liked or a traditional tune and keep it brief so it supports the speech.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director if you need a microphone or if you want to hand out printed copies.
• Confirm where you will stand and how long you may speak with the officiant.
• Give a copy of your speech to the person running the order of service so they can include lines in the program if needed.
• Ask family members if they want you to mention donations, a memorial fund, or where to send flowers.

After the eulogy

People may ask for a copy. Offer to email it. Some families include the text in a memory book or program. You can also record the audio privately and share it with relatives who could not attend. If you want to post it online, ask the family first to respect their privacy.

Glossary of useful terms and phrases

• Nonno Italian for grandfather.
• Nonna Italian for grandmother.
• Buongiorno Means good morning. Use it like a warm greeting in a line if it fits.
• Grazie Means thank you. A small and meaningful word to use in your closing.
• Eulogy A speech honoring someone who has died.
• Obituary Written notice about a death with service details.
• Order of service The program or schedule for the funeral or memorial event.

Frequently asked questions

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

Start with your name and relationship. A simple opening like Hello I am [Your Name] and I am Nonno [Name] granddaughter gives you two breaths and orients the room. Then say one short truth about him. Practice that opening until it feels familiar. It will steady you at the mic.

What if I forget my place or begin to cry

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. Pause briefly and then continue. If you cannot continue, have a family member ready to finish the last line. Many people keep their remarks short and let someone else close with a final sentence when needed.

Can I use Italian phrases in the eulogy

Yes. Use one or two phrases and translate them immediately so everyone understands. Short phrases like grazie or ti voglio bene, which means I love you, can be very moving when explained.

How do I balance humor and respect

Use humor that is rooted in a real story. A small, kind joke about a habit or a food preference can lighten the room. Follow a joke with a sincere line to keep the tone grounded. Avoid humor that might embarrass someone present.

How long should the eulogy be

Aim for three to seven minutes. Shorter speeches are often more memorable and manageable emotionally. If many people will speak, coordinate timing so the service stays on schedule.

Should I give the funeral home a copy of the eulogy

Yes. Give a copy to the funeral director or officiant. That helps them manage the program and keeps a record for a memory book if the family wants one.