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

Writing a eulogy for your Poppy can feel both impossible and necessary. He might be the person who taught you to fish, who told the same joke until it became a family landmark, or who was quietly present without a lot of fanfare. This guide walks you through a simple structure, gives real examples and templates you can adapt, and explains any terms or abbreviations you might see. If you are a millennial reading this while juggling messages and coffee, you are in the right place. Keep it honest. Keep it short enough to breathe. You do not need to be perfect.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone who has been asked to speak about their Poppy at a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, graveside service, or wake. Maybe you are his grandchild who lived far away and has the job because you were the one who could get plane tickets. Maybe you are the youngest kid in the family who always wins the trust of elders. Maybe the relationship was complicated. That is fine. There are examples here for sentimental, funny, short, and honest tones.

What we mean by Poppy

Poppy is a common term of endearment for a grandfather. Some families use Pop, Papa, Granddad, or Gramps instead. The advice in this guide works no matter what you call him. Use the name you used in real life. That makes the eulogy feel authentic and immediate.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors someone who has died. It is usually part of a funeral or memorial service. A eulogy is different from an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that gives basic facts like birth and death dates, survivors, and service details. A eulogy is personal. It tells a story and helps people remember the person as someone who lived a life you can describe with details.

Terms and acronyms you might see

• Obituary A published notice of a death with biographical details and service information.
• Order of service The program or schedule for a funeral or memorial listing readings, music, and speakers.
• Pallbearer A person who helps carry the casket. Usually close family or friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories, photos, and memory sharing.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for people nearing the end of life. Care can happen at home or in a facility.
• RSVP 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.
• VA Short for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. You might see this if your Poppy was a veteran and the family is arranging benefits or military honors.

How long should a eulogy for Poppy be

Aim for three to seven minutes. That is about four hundred to eight hundred spoken words. Short and clear is almost always better than long and wandering. If multiple people are speaking, check with the family or officiant so the whole service does not run long.

Before you start writing

Take a few simple steps before you open a blank document. They make writing much easier.

• Ask about the time Confirm how long you are expected to speak and where your eulogy fits in the order of service.
• Pick your tone Decide if you want the speech to be solemn, celebratory, funny, or a mix. Check with close family so the tone suits Poppy.
• Gather memories Text siblings, cousins, or close friends and ask for one short memory from each. A handful of specific stories beats a long list of achievements.
• Choose three focus points Pick three things you want listeners to remember. Three points give shape without pressure.
• Decide on a close Think about how you want to end. A simple goodbye line, a short quote, a hymn verse, or an invitation to share a memory are all good options.

Structure that actually works

Use a simple shape. It helps your audience follow and it gives you permission to be brief.

• Opening Say your name and relationship to Poppy. Offer one clear line that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of his life in human terms. Jobs, passions, and roles are useful here.
• Anecdotes Tell one or two short stories that reveal character. Keep them specific and sensory.
• Traits and lessons Summarize what Poppy taught people or how he made life better for others.
• Closing Offer a goodbye, a call to action like sharing a memory in the reception area, or a short poem or quote.

How to write the opening

Open with a sentence that grounds the audience. Your name and relationship take up little space and buy you a breath.

Opening examples

• Hello, my name is Emma and I am Jonah s granddaughter. Poppy taught me how to fix a bicycle and how to laugh when the chain fell off.
• Hi everyone. I am Marcus, his youngest grandson. My Poppy was the loudest person in the room and the best at making pancakes on a rainy morning.
• Good afternoon. I am Lily, his granddaughter. Poppy loved the sea and he loved teaching us that a good cup of tea solves a lot of problems.

Writing the life sketch

This is not a full biography. Pick the facts that matter to your story. Use plain language and avoid listing every job. Think about the roles he carried and how those roles shaped family life.

Life sketch templates

• [Poppy s name] was born in [place] and grew up [short detail]. He worked as a [job] and later retired to focus on [hobby or role]. He married [partner] and together they raised [number] children and hosted holiday dinners full of music.
• [Poppy s name] moved to [city] in his thirties and loved to [hobby], which he did every weekend. He volunteered at [place] and was known for [small detail].

Anecdotes that actually land

Stories are what people remember. A good anecdote has a setup, a small action, and a meaningful payoff. Keep stories short and sensory.

Examples of short anecdotes

• When I was seven he taught me to ride a bike. He ran behind me shouting no but keep pedaling until I thought my legs would fall off. At the top of the hill he cried more than I did.
• Poppy had a ritual of making chili on Sundays. He would taste it with a wooden spoon and then say it was almost perfect. We all knew almost perfect meant add more salt and a splash of Worcestershire sauce.
• On holidays he would slip a single coin into our hands and tell us it was a magic coin for brave wishes. It felt like a tiny vault of courage.

Addressing complicated relationships

Not every relationship with a grandfather was simple. You can still speak honestly and respectfully. Acknowledge complexity without airing private grievances. Focus on truth and intention.

Examples for complicated relationships

• My relationship with Poppy was not always easy. We had gaps and silences. In recent years we talked more and he taught me that forgiveness is not forgetting but choosing to keep going.
• He could be stubborn and opinionated. He also taught me to stand up for what I believe in. Both those things mattered, even when they were messy.
• We fought about small things and then made up with big desserts. I am grateful for those desserts and for the smaller reconciliations that mattered the most.

Using humor without making it awkward

Humor can make room for breathing in the room. Use small, earned jokes rooted in real memories. Test them with a trusted friend. Avoid humor that might embarrass someone in the audience.

Safe humor examples

• Poppy believed every appliance had feelings. He would talk to the toaster like it was a distant cousin. It made breakfast feel like a family meeting.
• He had two speeds when telling a story, slow and sprint. You learned early to listen at speed so you did not miss the punch line.

What to avoid in a eulogy for Poppy

• Avoid making the eulogy into a therapy session or a place for family disputes.
• Avoid airing private family secrets in a public setting.
• Avoid long lists of jobs and accomplishments without stories that make them human.
• Avoid clichés unless you immediately back them up with a specific example.

Complete eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are full examples that follow the structure above. Replace bracketed text with your details. Read them out loud and edit to match your voice.

Example 1 Loving practical Poppy three to four minute version

Hello. I am Ben, his grandson. It is an honor to say a few words about my Poppy, George.

George grew up in a small coastal town and worked as a mechanic for forty years. He loved tools, Saturdays at the market, and he had a rule about socks which involved color and strict rotation. He married Helen and together they raised three children who learned how to fix a flat tire before they could cook pasta.

One small story that captures him is about his garden. He tended it every morning like it was a neighborhood watch for flowers. He would talk to each plant like it was an old friend and show up prepared with worn gloves and a stubborn optimism. That stubborn optimism spread to everyone who watched him work.

He taught us to be practical, to say sorry when it matters, and to laugh when a plan fails. His generosity was quiet. He would drop everything to help a neighbor move or to fix a leaking pipe for a friend who could not afford a contractor. We will miss the sound of his laugh and the smell of his chili. Thank you for being here to remember him with us.

Example 2 Short graveside eulogy under two minutes

Hi everyone. I am Sofia, granddaughter. Poppy loved trains, tall hats, and telling the same story about the time he missed a train and then found the best bakery in town. He taught me to notice small good things and to call my mom more often. We will miss him and his perfect timing for a joke. Thank you for being here.

Example 3 Honest and complicated relationship

My name is Daniel. My relationship with Poppy was complicated. He could be strict and blunt. We argued about choices and then found ways to make each other laugh. In the last few years we sat and listened. He told me stories I had not heard before and apologized for things he did not know were heavy. That mattered. I am grateful for that time. He taught me that showing up is a form of love.

Example 4 Celebration of life with humor

Hello. I am Hannah, his oldest granddaughter. If you ever met Poppy you know he had a particular talent for collecting postcards and for telling you exactly how you looked in a sweater. His rules were few and precise. Rule one was be kind to your neighbor. Rule two was never complain about gravy. He kept gravy like it was a national resource. Today we celebrate his precise rules and his generous heart. Eat some gravy and laugh with us as we remember him.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to get started. Fill in the brackets and then edit to sound like you. Practice reading aloud and trim anything that sounds forced.

Template A Classic short

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

Template B For complicated relationships

My name is [Your Name]. My relationship with [Poppy s name] was complicated. We did not always understand each other. We argued about [small example]. Over time I came to appreciate [something positive]. In the last [months years] we [spent time together found peace talked more]. If I could say one thing to him now it would be [short line you want to say].

Template C Light and funny with sincerity

Hi. I am [Your Name]. To know [Poppy s name] was to know that [quirky habit]. He also taught us to [practical life skill]. My favorite memory is [funny small story]. He made us laugh and he made us better at [small chore]. I will miss his jokes and his exacting pancake flipping. Thank you.

Practical tips for delivery

Speaking while grieving is hard. These practical tactics help you stay steady.

• Print your speech Use large font so you can read easily. Paper is less likely to fail than a phone with a notification popping up.
• Use cue cards Index cards with one or two lines on each card reduce the chance of losing your place.
• Mark pauses Put a bracket or highlight where you want to breathe or where a laugh will land. Pauses let the room react and give you a moment.
• Practice out loud Read the eulogy to a friend or to yourself. Practicing helps your throat and nerves get used to the words.
• Bring tissues Or a handkerchief. Tears are normal. If you need a moment, pause, breathe, and then continue.
• Ask for help If you think you may not finish, arrange for someone else to introduce you and to step in if you need them to finish a sentence.
• Microphone tips Keep the mic a few inches from your mouth and speak at a steady volume. If there is no mic, slow your pace and project to the last row.

If you start to cry while speaking

If tears come, that is okay. Pause and breathe. Look down at your notes and take a slow sip of water if you have one. If you cannot continue, ask a prearranged person to step in. The audience will wait and they will want to support you.

Including readings, poems, and music

Short readings and excerpts work best. A two to four line poem excerpt lands better than an entire long poem. Choose readings that fit Poppy s beliefs and the tone you want. Confirm with the officiant and print the reading in the program if possible.

Music choices

• Pick songs Poppy loved or songs that match the mood of the service.
• If recorded music is needed, ask the venue about playing it between speakers.
• Keep music short and place it where it supports the speech, for example before the eulogy or as a brief interlude.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director if you need a microphone, a podium, or printed copies to hand out.
• 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 so they can include it in the program if the family wants that.

After the eulogy

People often ask for a copy. Offer to email it to family and friends. Some families include the eulogy in a printed program or place it in a memory book. You can also record the audio and share it privately with relatives who could not attend. Check with the family before posting anything online.

Checklist before you step up to speak

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

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who 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.
• Pallbearer Person chosen to carry the casket, usually family or close friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that often focuses on stories and photos rather than rituals.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end of life. Care can happen at home or in a facility.
• RSVP Abbreviation asking people to confirm attendance. It stands for respond s il vous plait.
• VA Short for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. See this if your Poppy served in the military and you need info on honors.

Frequently asked questions

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

Begin with your name and your relationship to him. A short opening like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I am [Poppy s name] grandchild gives the audience context and buys you a breath to settle. Practice that opening until it feels familiar. It will steady you at the microphone.

What if I forget my place or start crying

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment take it. People will wait. If you cannot continue ask the person you arranged with to step in. Many people keep remarks short so that someone else can finish a final line if needed.

Can I include funny stories

Yes. Small earned humor is often welcome. Use jokes rooted in real memories and test them with a trusted friend. Avoid anything that might embarrass relatives or upset people present.

How long should the eulogy be

Three to seven minutes is a good target. Short speeches tend to be memorable. If other people will speak coordinate times so the whole service stays on schedule.

Should I use religious language if the family is not religious

Only if it was important to your Poppy or to the family. If religion was not central choose secular language that honors values and memories instead. A short poem or a moment of silence can be just as meaningful.

Is it okay to read the eulogy from my phone

Yes you can, but make sure notifications are off and the screen is bright enough in the venue. Many people prefer printed notes or index cards because they are easier to handle when emotions are strong.

Can I include military honors if my Poppy was a veteran

Yes. Contact the funeral home or the local VA office for details. Military honors such as a flag presentation and taps are common if the veteran meets the eligibility requirements. The funeral director can help coordinate these details.