Free obituary templates for a brother
You're here because you lost your brother. Whether he was your older brother who looked out for you, your younger brother who drove you crazy, or your twin who finished your sentences, that bond is unlike any other. Writing his obituary means telling the world about someone you've known your entire life. Start with what you remember. The rest will follow.
Let our AI write it for you
Our AI obituary generator asks you questions about your brother and writes a personalized obituary based on your answers. It takes about 10 minutes and produces something that sounds like it was written by someone who knew them.
Fill-in-the-blank templates
Choose the template length that fits your needs. Each one includes bracketed placeholders you can fill in with your brother's details.
Short obituary template for a brother (~150 words)
Approximately 150 words
Use this for newspaper submissions with word limits, or when you want to keep things simple. Short doesn't mean less meaningful.
[FULL NAME], age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], died [peacefully/unexpectedly/after a long illness] on [DATE OF DEATH]. He was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. [FIRST NAME] was a [devoted/loving/caring] brother to [NAMES] and a [OTHER ROLE] to [NAMES]. He spent [NUMBER] years working as a [OCCUPATION] and was known for [ONE OR TWO DEFINING QUALITIES OR HOBBIES]. [He was a member of [CHURCH/ORGANIZATION].] He is survived by [his] [SURVIVORS LIST]. He was preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. [A funeral service/A celebration of life/A memorial service] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [CHARITY/CAUSE].]
Standard obituary template for a brother (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
This works for most situations. Enough room to capture who he was without overwhelming the reader.
[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [peacefully/surrounded by his loving family/after a courageous battle with [ILLNESS]] on [DATE OF DEATH]. Born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE], [FIRST NAME] was the [birth order] child of [PARENTS' NAMES]. He grew up in [HOMETOWN/AREA] and graduated from [HIGH SCHOOL] in [YEAR]. [He went on to earn [his] [DEGREE] from [COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY].] [FIRST NAME] [married [SPOUSE'S NAME] on [WEDDING DATE] [at LOCATION]. Together they [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF LIFE TOGETHER, e.g., "built a home in [CITY]," "raised [NUMBER] children," "traveled to 30 countries"].] [He worked as a [OCCUPATION] for [NUMBER] years at [EMPLOYER/FIELD], where he [BRIEF ACCOMPLISHMENT OR REPUTATION].] Outside of work, [FIRST NAME] was known for [HOBBIES, INTERESTS, OR TALENTS]. [SPECIFIC DETAIL that shows personality]. What people remember most about [FIRST NAME] is [DEFINING PERSONALITY TRAIT OR HABIT]. [ONE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OR ANECDOTE THAT ILLUSTRATES THIS]. [FIRST NAME] is survived by [his] [SURVIVORS LIST]. He was preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. [A funeral service/A celebration of life] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [CHARITY] in his memory.]
Religious obituary template for a brother (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
For families where faith was central to his life. Adjust the religious language to match his tradition.
[FULL NAME], beloved brother, [OTHER ROLES], and faithful servant of God, went home to be with the Lord on [DATE OF DEATH] at the age of [AGE]. [He died peacefully, surrounded by his family, after [CIRCUMSTANCES].] [FIRST NAME] was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. He was raised in the [FAITH TRADITION] and his faith remained the cornerstone of his life. He was a lifelong member of [CHURCH/PARISH NAME], where he [SERVED AS/PARTICIPATED IN, e.g., "sang in the choir," "taught Sunday school," "served on the church council"]. [MARRIAGE AND FAMILY DETAILS]. [FIRST NAME] believed that his greatest calling was [CALLING, e.g., "serving others," "raising a family," "building community"], and he approached it with the same faith that guided everything he did. [CAREER AND INTERESTS]. [SPECIFIC FAITH-RELATED DETAIL, e.g., "His Bible was so worn the binding had been replaced twice" or "He started every morning with prayer and coffee on the back porch"]. [SCRIPTURE VERSE] [FIRST NAME] is survived by [his] [SURVIVORS LIST]. He was preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST] and is now reunited with them in eternal peace. A [funeral Mass/memorial service/homegoing celebration] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [CHURCH/LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to [CHURCH OR FAITH-BASED CHARITY].]
Sample obituaries for a brother
Real-style examples showing different tones and approaches. Read the commentary below each one to understand what makes it effective.
Daniel Patrick O'Brien
What makes this work
The opening pairs his age and his humor because the writer is grappling with both. Parenthetical notes like Maeve having his laugh and the Bears not deserving his devotion add personality. The closing ask to tell a joke is perfect for this person.
James Edward Wright
What makes this work
The line about celebrating other people's promotions louder than his own captures selflessness without using the word. Being called "the responsible one" with respect and amusement gets at a sibling dynamic that many readers will recognize.
How to write an obituary for your brother
- 1
Gather the essential facts
Before you write anything, collect the basics. Full name, date of birth, birthplace, date of death, and place of death. If you're unsure about any details, ask another family member or check documents. Getting the facts right matters, and it's easier to gather them before you start writing than to stop midway through.
- 2
List family and survivors
Write down everyone who should be mentioned. Surviving family members, those who preceded him in death, and close relationships that mattered. Get names and spellings right. If you're unsure about married names or the order of children, ask. This section is where mistakes get noticed.
- 3
Write about what he did
Career, education, volunteer work, military service. Don't just list titles. What did he actually do day to day? "He managed the produce department at Kroger for 22 years" tells a story. "He worked in retail" doesn't. Specifics make the difference.
- 4
Write about who he was
This is the hardest part, and the most important. What made him different from anyone else? Not "loving" or "kind" because those describe everyone. Think about the specific things. What did he do every morning? What was his thing that nobody else understood? What would a stranger notice about him in the first five minutes?
- 5
Include a specific memory or detail
One concrete detail does more work than ten adjectives. A hobby he was obsessive about. A phrase he said so often it became a family joke. The way he always did one particular thing. These details are what make people nod and say, "Yes, that's exactly right."
- 6
Choose the right tone
Think about who this person was. Would he want something formal and traditional? Something lighter that reflects his personality? There's no single right answer. Match the obituary to the person, not to some idea of what an obituary should sound like.
- 7
Read it aloud and revise
Write your draft, then walk away for a few minutes. Come back and read it out loud. You'll hear what's missing and what feels off. Does it sound like him? Would he recognize himself in these words? If not, adjust. If something feels forced, remove it. Your instinct is worth trusting here.
What to include in your brother's obituary
Essential information
- ✓Full legal name
- ✓Date of birth and birthplace
- ✓Date of death and place of death
- ✓Survivors list
- ✓Predeceased family members
- ✓Service or memorial details
Life story details
- ✓Education and schools
- ✓Career and work life
- ✓Marriage and family details
- ✓Community involvement
- ✓Military service (if applicable)
- ✓Faith community membership
Personal touches
- ✓Hobbies and interests
- ✓Personality traits (specific, not generic)
- ✓A memorable habit or phrase
- ✓Favorite places or activities
- ✓Role in the family or community
Optional additions
- ✓A favorite quote or scripture
- ✓Charitable donation preferences
- ✓A brief anecdote that captures who they were
- ✓Cause of death (family's decision)
Quotes for a brother's obituary
“There is no love like the love for a brother. There is no love like the love from a brother.”
“A brother is a friend given by nature.”
“Brothers are what best friends can never be.”
“Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.”
“When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life.”
“He was part of my story, and I was part of his. That doesn't end.”
“A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.”
Frequently asked questions
How long should my brother's obituary be?
There's no rule. A newspaper obituary might run 150 to 200 words because papers charge by the line. An online obituary or funeral program can be as long as you need. Most obituaries fall between 200 and 500 words. Length doesn't equal love. A three-sentence obituary written with care means more than a page of generic praise.
Who should write my brother's obituary?
Whoever feels most able to right now. In many families, one person takes the lead because the others are too overwhelmed. There's no tradition that dictates who should do it. What often works well is having one person write the first draft and then sharing it with close family for additions and corrections. If nobody feels up to it, an AI obituary generator can provide a solid draft that the family can review and personalize together.
Should I mention how my brother died?
This is entirely your family's decision. Some families include the cause of death because it was part of his story. Others prefer privacy and simply say "passed away peacefully" or "died at home surrounded by family." If your brother was open about his illness during his life, mentioning it usually feels right. If he was private about it, respecting that makes sense.
How do I write about a brother who died young?
Focus on who he was, not how long he lived. What did he care about? Who did he spend time with? What made him laugh? A 25-year-old's obituary won't have decades of career achievements, but it can capture a personality, a circle of friends, and the impact of a life fully lived for however long it lasted.
Should siblings be involved in writing the obituary?
If possible, yes. Each sibling knew a different version of your brother. Having multiple perspectives leads to a more complete picture. One practical approach is to have one person write the draft and circulate it for additions. Just be prepared for different opinions about what to include.
Related templates
Related to Brother
Writing more than the obituary? See Eulogy for a brother, Brother obituary examples, and Newspaper submission guide.