How to Write a Eulogy for Your Half Brother - Eulogy Examples & Tips

Writing a eulogy for a half brother can bring up a mix of grief, gratitude, confusion, and sometimes complicated family history. This guide gives you a clear plan, real examples you can adapt, and tips on tone and delivery. Whether you were close, distant, or somewhere in between, you can create a tribute that is honest, meaningful, and human. We explain any funeral terms you might not know and include fill in the blank templates to speed things up.

Who this guide is for

This article is for anyone asked to speak about a half brother at a funeral, memorial, graveside, or celebration of life. You might be a sibling who lived with them for years, a sibling who only shared one parent, or someone who had a messy or healing relationship. There are example scripts for brief, funny, complicated, and longer tributes.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors a person who has died. It usually appears during a funeral or memorial service. It is different from an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that reports basic facts like birth date, survivors, and service details. A eulogy is personal, it tells a story, and it can feel imperfect. That is allowed.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A published written notice of a death that includes biographical details and service information.
• Order of service The planned sequence of readings, music, and speakers at a funeral or memorial.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to help carry the casket. These are usually family or close friends.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on storytelling, photos, and sharing memories.
• Estate The legal term for the property and affairs a person leaves behind. This is managed by the executor or administrator.
• Executor The person named in a will to manage the deceased person s estate and carry out their wishes.

How long should a eulogy be

Aim for three to seven minute. That is about four hundred to eight hundred spoken words. Short and specific is usually stronger than long and unfocused. If you are not sure how long you will be allowed, check with the family or officiant before you write.

Before you start writing

Preparation makes the process less scary and makes your words sharper. Use this quick plan.

• Check the time Confirm with the officiant or family how long you should speak and where you will fit in the order of service.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be solemn, lightly funny, celebratory, or a mix? Clear the tone with a close family member so it fits the person you are honoring.
• Gather stories Ask parents, friends, or other siblings for one or two memories. Small, specific moments are better than long lists.
• Pick two or three things to remember Choose a few traits or themes you want listeners to leave with. That gives your speech shape.

Structure that works

Use a simple shape for clarity.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to your half brother. Offer one sentence that sets the tone.
• Life sketch Give a brief overview of who he was and what mattered to him. Avoid an exhaustive biography.
• Anecdotes Tell one to three short stories that reveal character.
• Lessons and traits Summarize what people learned from him or what will be missed.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line, a favorite quote, a call to action like lighting a candle, or an invitation to share memories after the service.

How to write the opening

Open with your name and your relationship. Keep it simple so you can settle into the speech. Then say one clear sentence about what you want the audience to know right away.

Opening examples

• Hello everyone. My name is Alex and I am Michael s half sister. I am so grateful to be able to say a few words about him.
• Good afternoon. I am Jordan, his sibling on our dad s side. Today is about remembering the stubborn, generous way he loved dogs and people.
• Hi. I am Priya. I grew up with David for half the time and loved him for the whole time.

Writing the life sketch

The life sketch is a short summary that places your half brother in context. Mention important roles like son, partner, parent, coworker, neighbor, or friend. Use plain language and pick the facts that support the stories you will tell.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born in [place] and raised by [parent or guardian]. He worked as a [job or role]. He loved [hobby] and spent weekends doing [habit or activity].
• [Name] moved between two households while growing up. He learned to be adaptable, which showed in his hobbies like [hobby] and his friendships that felt chosen not given.

Anecdotes that land

Stories are the heart of a eulogy. Pick moments that are short, sensory, and show something true about him. A good story has a setup, a small action, and a line that ties it to a trait or lesson.

Example anecdotes

• When we were kids he insisted on making pancakes even though he never flipped a single one without burning it. He kept trying because making breakfast was his way of saying I ve got you.
• He rescued a stray dog and named it Trouble. Trouble chewed all the shoes in the house and somehow made everyone laugh at dinner again. That dog taught us a lot about second chances.
• At family holidays he always arrived with a playlist. Even when he was quiet, you could find him near the stereo arranging songs like gifts.

Addressing complicated or distant relationships

Half sibling relationships are often layered. You can be honest without making the speech feel like you are assigning blame. Avoid airing family dramas that will distract from the memory you want to hold.

Approaches for complexity

• If you were estranged, acknowledge it succinctly. You might say I did not always see him, but when we connected it mattered. Then share one specific good memory or what you learned.
• If you were close despite different households, highlight what bonded you, like shared jokes, inside traditions, or trips that became yours alone.
• If custody moves or family changes shaped his life, you can mention resilience and the way he built belonging with chosen family.

Using gentle honesty

If your relationship was messy, you do not have to fake perfect feelings. You can name complexity and then move to gratitude. For example you might say We were not perfect and that is part of why I loved him. That kind of line is honest without leaving the room feeling unsettled.

How to use humor

Humor can be permission to breathe. Use small, earned jokes that reveal character. Avoid anything that might shame or single out someone in the crowd. Test your jokes on a trusted friend first.

Safe humor examples

• He believed every tool had a second life and a better purpose. Our garage looked like a thrift store and yet somehow he could fix a thing with nothing but optimism and duct tape.
• He had a terrible sense of direction. If you wanted to see a place twice, give him directions once and you were guaranteed a scenic tour the second time.

What to avoid

• Avoid passive aggressive comments or naming grievances as a way to make a point.
• Avoid long lists of achievements without stories to humanize them.
• Avoid personal medical details unless the family has already made those public and you know they are okay with it.
• Avoid private family conflict that will reopen wounds for people in the room.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Example 1: Short and warm two minute tribute

Hi everyone. I am Sam. I am Luke s half brother. Luke loved motorcycles, late night tacos, and telling bad jokes that made us roll our eyes and laugh anyway. He taught me how to change a tire and how to ask someone how they are and actually mean it. One small memory I will always have is the last summer we spent together at the lake. He insisted on teaching me to skip stones and then laughed harder than I did when I missed a hundred times. That laugh is how I will remember him. Thank you for being here and for holding Luke with us.

Example 2: Honest and reflective for a complicated relationship

Hello. I am Nina. I was Mia s half sister. We did not grow up in the same house and there were long years when we did not speak. In the last three years we rebuilt things slowly. He taught me that apologies can be small steady things not one perfect moment. One thing he said to me that I will never forget was You deserve to be silly sometimes. That was him, offering permission without lectures. I am grateful for those last conversations. I will miss him and the way he made room for people to be exactly themselves.

Example 3: Celebration of life tone with humor and ritual

Good afternoon. I am Marcus, his younger sibling. If you ever got a care package from him, you know he believed in snacks as love language. He would send strange chips and a note that said Eat this for emergencies. We are here to honor that weird care and the way he showed up. Let s take a moment now to pass a snack around and share our favorite odd thing he sent. After that I will say a short thing about what he taught me about loyalty and laughing at yourself.

Example 4: Longer memorial eulogy roughly five minute

Hello everyone. I am Aisha, his sister. We shared a dad and a tendency to make late midnight pancakes. He was a steady friend and a loud supporter at every soccer game he could attend. Growing up he split time between two homes and learned to make belonging wherever he was. That adaptability became generosity. He gave thanks without big gestures, he fixed things quietly, and he believed in second chances. One memory that shows his heart was the time he spent three Saturdays building a ramp for our neighbor who used a wheelchair. He did it because he hated seeing anyone left out. The details were messy and under planned and somehow perfect. He taught me that you do not need permission to help. I will miss his practical kindness and his terrible dad jokes. Thank you for all the ways you loved him back.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates and replace bracketed text with your details. Read out loud and trim anything that sounds forced.

Template A: Short and simple

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Name s] sibling on [our dad s our mom s] side. [Name] loved [hobby] and he could always be counted on for [small habit]. One memory that shows who he was is [brief story]. He taught me [lesson]. Thank you for being here to remember him.

Template B: For a complicated or distant relationship

My name is [Your Name]. We were not close for many years, but in [recent time period] we found a way to connect. I remember [specific memory]. That memory showed me [quality]. I am grateful for the time we had and for what I learned from him.

Template C: Celebration tone with humor

Hi, I am [Your Name]. If [Name] was in the room you would know him by [quirky habit]. He also made people feel [quality]. My favorite story is [funny short memory]. Today let s laugh and remember him well.

Practical tips for delivery

• Print your speech Use large font and bring a backup. Paper is easier to handle when emotions are high.
• Use cue cards Index cards with one idea per card help you keep pace and breathe between sections.
• Mark pauses Put a bracket where you want to breathe or where the audience will laugh. Pauses give you time to collect yourself.
• Practice out loud Say it to a friend, or to a mirror. Practicing helps your voice find the right rhythm.
• Bring tissues and water Keep them handy. If you need a moment, take it and then continue when you can.
• Ask for backup If you think you might not finish, arrange for someone to stand by and finish one line for you if needed.

Handling crying in the moment

If you start to cry, pause, breathe, and look at your notes. Slow your pace. The audience will wait. If you need a longer break, step aside and hand the microphone to the person you prepared. Many people find that a shorter, emotionally honest speech is more meaningful than a long attempt to stay composed.

Including readings, poems, and music

Short readings are best. Poems of two to four lines can punctuate a moment. If you include a song, pick something the deceased liked or something that fits the mood. Confirm with the officiant about where music will play and for how long.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director if you need a microphone or if you will hand out printed copies.
• Confirm with the officiant where you will stand and how long you may speak.
• Consider giving a copy of your speech to the person organizing the order of service so it can be added to a memorial book.

Sharing the eulogy after the service

People will often ask for a copy. Offer to email it or to include it in a memory book. Ask the family first before posting any recordings online. Some families want privacy. If posting is okay, include a short note about how people can share memories or donate in honor of the deceased.

Checklist before you step up

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

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech delivered at a funeral or memorial honoring the person who died.
• Obituary A written notice of death with basic biographical details and service information.
• Order of service The sequence of events for the funeral or memorial.
• Pallbearer A person chosen to help carry the casket.
• Executor The person named in the will to manage the estate.
• Estate The legal and financial matters left after someone dies.
• RSVP Abbreviation for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond used on invitations to ask people to confirm attendance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am really nervous

Begin with your name and your relationship to your half brother. A short opening line like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I am [Name] sibling on our dad s side gives context and buys you a breath. Practice that first line until it feels familiar. It will steady you when you begin.

What if I forget my place or cry and cannot continue

Pause, breathe, and look at your notes. If you need a moment, take it. The audience will wait. If you cannot continue, have a designated person prepared to step in. You can also have a one sentence summary written on a separate card that someone else can read if needed.

Is it okay to mention family complexity in a eulogy

Yes. You can acknowledge complexity in a brief, dignified way. Avoid blame and keep the focus on what you learned or what you are grateful for. A line like Our relationship was not perfect but it taught me patience is honest and it is enough can honor truth without making the room uncomfortable.

Can I use humor

Yes. Small, earned humor is often helpful. Use jokes based on real memories and avoid anything that might embarrass or exclude others. Follow a light joke with a sincere line to reconnect the tone.

How long should my eulogy be

Aim for three to seven minute that is about four hundred to eight hundred words. Coordinate with others who are speaking so the whole service stays on schedule.

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

Yes. Providing a copy helps the officiant and the person managing the service stay on schedule and makes it easy to include the text in a program or memory book.

Can I record and share the eulogy online

Ask the family before posting. Some families prefer privacy. If sharing is approved, add a brief note about how people can share memories or donate in the deceased s honor.