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

Writing a eulogy for your younger brother feels raw and personal and somehow impossible all at once. You want to tell the truth about who he was, make people laugh or cry the right amount, and get through the mic without unraveling. This guide gives a clear plan, real examples you can adapt, and delivery tips that actually work. We explain any terms or acronyms you might see and include fill in the blank templates so you can get started fast.

Who this guide is for

If you have been asked to speak about your younger brother at a funeral memorial celebration of life or graveside service this is for you. Maybe you were the sibling who saw him most recently. Maybe you were the one closest in age and shared the embarrassing stories. Maybe the relationship was complicated. All of those situations are normal. This article gives sample scripts for funny sentimental brief and messy needs.

What is a eulogy

A eulogy is a short speech that honors a person who has died. It usually appears as part of a funeral or memorial. It is personal and story based. A eulogy is not the same as an obituary. An obituary is a written notice that lists basic facts such as birth date surviving family and service details. A eulogy is a memory driven tribute that can be imperfect and still be powerful.

Terms you might see

• Obituary A published notice of a death that usually includes biographical facts and how to attend services.
• Order of service The schedule for the event that lists readings music and speakers. Think of it as the program.
• Pallbearer Person chosen to carry the casket. These are usually close friends or family.
• Celebration of life A less formal gathering that focuses on stories photos and memories more than rituals.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing end of life. It can be delivered at home or in a facility.
• RSVP A request for guests to respond to an invitation. It stands for the French phrase respond s il vous plait which means please respond.
• Funeral director The professional who coordinates logistics at the service and with the funeral home.

How long should a eulogy be

A shorter focused tribute often lands better than a long one. Aim for three to six minutes. That is roughly 400 to 700 spoken words. If you are nervous keep it closer to three minutes. If others are speaking check the order of service and coordinate length so the event stays on schedule.

Before you start writing

Doing a little prep will save hours of stalled staring at a blank page.

• Confirm timing Ask the family or officiant how long you should speak and where you fit in the program.
• Decide the tone Do you want to be funny sentimental raw or a mix? Check with close family so the tone fits the person and the audience.
• Gather material Ask friends and other siblings for a memory each. Collect nicknames dates hobbies and funny sayings.
• Choose three focus points Pick three things you want people to remember about him. Three gives your speech shape and keeps it easy to follow.
• Pick a starting line Practice the first sentence until it feels familiar. That one line will steady you at the mic.

Structure that works

Use a simple shape that makes writing easier and listening easier.

• Opening Say who you are and your relationship to your brother. Set one clear tone sentence.
• Life sketch A brief overview of his life roles such as brother student worker musician or friend. Keep it short.
• Anecdotes Two short stories that show personality. Keep them sensory and with a payoff.
• Lessons and traits Summarize the qualities people will miss and what he taught you.
• Closing Offer a goodbye line a short quote a call to action or an invitation to share memories.

How to write the opening

Keep the opening simple. Start with your name and relationship. Then add one sentence that explains what the day is for.

Opening examples

• Hello everyone. I am Mia and I am his older sister. We are here to remember how Jake made a bad haircut look like a personality choice.
• Hi. I am Ben. I am Sam s sister, or rather Sam was my little brother but he taught me how to climb trees and how to fail with style.
• Good afternoon. I am Aisha his sister. Today we will laugh and cry because that is exactly how he wanted to be remembered.

Writing the life sketch

The life sketch is not a full biography. Pick a few facts that support the stories you want to tell. Mention roles and a few key landmarks. Avoid listing every job or award unless a story makes those details meaningful.

Life sketch templates

• [Name] was born in [place] and grew up in [place]. He loved [hobby] and worked as a [job]. He was a brother friend teammate and avid [interest].
• [Name] moved to [city] for college and discovered [hobby]. He had a laugh that filled a room and a habit of showing up when you needed him most.

Anecdotes that actually matter

Stories will make the speech stick. Pick anecdotes with a small setup a clear action and a feeling at the end. One or two stories is enough. If you need to add humor make sure it feels earned and kind.

Examples of short anecdotes

• When we were kids he once locked himself in the closet with a flashlight and insisted he was on a secret mission. He came out hours later wearing my soccer jersey and declared himself a superhero named Captain Socks.
• In high school he failed his driving test twice and used it as an excuse to perfect the art of parallel parking in reverse while listening to punk rock. He always said practice beats panic.
• At twenty one he painted our kitchen bright blue because he read an article about color therapy. Mom hated the color. We kept it because it reminded us that he marched to his own playlist.

How to address complicated relationships

Not every sibling relationship is easy. If your connection with your younger brother was complicated you can still speak honestly and with care. Acknowledge the complexity without airing private grievances. Name a small reconciliation or a lesson you gained.

Examples for complicated relationships

• I will not pretend our relationship was perfect. We fought about small things and then forgot them when one of us needed coffee at three in the morning. In the end we learned how to forgive smaller slights faster.
• He could be impulsive and inconsistent. He was also the person who called when I needed courage. I am grateful for the good parts and I will miss those calls.
• We had distance and silence for a while. In his last months we texted silly memes and shared old photos. Those small exchanges felt like healing.

Using humor the right way

Humor helps people breathe. Use a light earned joke not something that could embarrass or exclude. Test a joke with a trusted family member to see if it lands where you expect.

Safe humor examples

• He had a PhD in procrastination and a master s degree in last minute heroics. Somehow the homework always got done and we survived to tell the story.
• If you ever needed to find him at a party search for the person doing cartwheels or the one with mismatched socks. Both were likely him and both were true to form.

What to avoid in a eulogy

• Avoid turning the speech into a therapy session or a place to settle family disputes.
• Avoid private details that might hurt people in the room.
• Avoid long lists of accomplishments without stories that make them human.
• Avoid cliches that do not feel specific to him unless you immediately give a concrete example.

Full eulogy examples you can adapt

Below are complete examples tailored to a younger brother. Replace bracketed text with your details and edit until it feels like your voice.

Example 1: Big personality younger brother four minute version

Hi everyone. I am Jordan his older sister. Nick was the person who made any road trip feel like an adventure even when the adventure was just finding the nearest taco truck. He grew up in our neighborhood climbing trees and bailing us out of backyard science experiments gone wrong. He worked as a barista and later in design and he brought that creativity into everything including the Christmas sweater he made for Dad last year.

One quick story. When he was sixteen he wrote a fake ad for a lost pet that was clearly our cat but described it as a mystical creature who loved glitter. He taped it to every telephone pole. People called to say they had seen the creature and left glitter on our porch as a tribute. That was Nick, making space for small wonders and reminding us to not take life too seriously.

Nick taught me to be brave in public and soft at home. He loved loudly and forgave quickly. I will miss his ridiculous playlists his midnight texts and the way he insisted on making up celebrations for no reason at all. Please join me in remembering one small Nick trick that made you laugh. Thank you.

Example 2: Short modern eulogy under two minutes

Hello. I am Priyanka his sister. My brother loved sneakers bad puns and sunrise runs. He taught me to never skip the coffee and to apologize quickly. He was our laugh during bad days. Thank you for being here and for holding his memory with us.

Example 3: Complicated relationship honest and respectful

I am Tom. My brother Alex could be infuriating. He left socks in strange places and he made decisions without asking. We argued more than I liked. He also drove three hours to help me move when I had nothing left. In his last year we learned to say simpler things to each other like I love you and I forgive you. I am grateful for that. He taught me that people are allowed to be messy and still matter to us.

Example 4: Sudden loss short and tender

Hi. I am Kayla his sister. When you lose someone suddenly you collect tiny details to hold them. For me it is the coffee mug he left in the sink and the playlist he was listening to. He loved loud music and taking care of his plants. He would remind us to text our friends back and to buy the concert tickets. Today we remember how he made the world feel livable. Thank you for being here.

Fill in the blank templates

Use these templates to start writing fast. Replace bracketed text and then read out loud to edit for voice and flow.

Template A: Classic short

My name is [Your Name]. I am [Brother s Name] older sister brother. [Brother s Name] was born in [place or year]. He loved [one hobby or thing], worked as [job], and was the friend who always [small habit]. One memory that shows who 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 [Brother s Name] was complicated. We fought about [small example] and we made up in strange ways. In the end he taught me [positive lesson]. 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 [Brother s Name] was to know that he loved [quirky habit]. He also made sure we never ran out of snacks and never forgot to laugh. My favorite memory is [funny small story]. I will miss his jokes and his exacting playlist choices. Thank you.

Practical tips for delivery

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

• Print your speech Use large font. Paper is less distracting when emotions run high.
• Use cue cards Index cards with one or two lines each make it easier to keep your place.
• Mark pauses Put brackets where you want to breathe or where the room will laugh. Pauses give you space.
• Practice out loud Read the eulogy to a friend a partner or even to your dog. Practice tells your throat what to expect.
• Bring tissues and water Keep a small bottle of water and tissues nearby.
• Arrange support Tell a family member you might need help finishing. A short signal can be a lifesaver.
• Mic technique Keep the microphone a few inches from your mouth and speak at a normal volume. If there is no mic project to the back gently.

When you want to cry while reading

If tears come that is normal. Pause breathe and look at your notes. Slow down. Saying fewer words more slowly is often more moving. If you cannot continue ask your designated person to finish a line and then return when you can. The audience will wait for you.

How to include readings poems and music

Short readings work best. Choose a two to four line excerpt rather than a long poem. Music can be recorded or live. Place it where it supports the speech for example a short clip before or after a eulogy. Confirm anything with the officiant and provide printed text in the program if possible.

Logistics and who to tell

• Tell the funeral director if you need a microphone or want to hand out printed copies.
• Confirm with the officiant where you will stand and how long you have.
• Give a copy of your speech to the person running the order of service so it can be included in the program if desired.

After the eulogy

People will likely ask for a copy. Offer to email it to family and friends or to include it in a memory book. Some families request the text in printed programs or a memorial website. You can also make a private audio recording and share it with those who could not attend. Always check with the family before posting publicly.

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 moment and arrange a small signal if you want them to finish if needed.

Recording the eulogy and sharing it

Ask permission before posting a recording online. Some families want privacy. If sharing is approved add a short note about where donations if any will go and how people can share memories. A recording can comfort those who could not attend and can be saved in a family archive.

Glossary of useful terms and acronyms

• Eulogy A speech given at a funeral or memorial to honor the person who has 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.
• Hospice Care focused on comfort and quality of life for someone nearing the end of life.
• RSVP An abbreviation asking guests to respond to an invitation. It stands for respond s il vous plait.
• Funeral director Professional who coordinates logistics and works with the family to run the service.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a eulogy if I am nervous

Begin with your name and relationship. A simple line like Hello my name is [Your Name] and I am [Brother s Name] sister gives 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. The audience will wait. If you cannot continue ask a trusted family member or friend to finish a line and then return when you feel ready. Having a short note someone else can pick up from will help.

Should I include religious language if the family is not religious

Only include religious language if it was meaningful to your brother or the family. If religion was not central choose secular language that honors values memories and personality instead. Short poems or song lyrics can also work well.

Can I use humor in a eulogy

Yes small earned humor often helps. Use jokes rooted in real memories and test them with a trusted friend. Avoid humor that could embarrass the deceased or upset family members. Follow a joke with a sincere line to reconnect the tone.

How long should a eulogy be

Three to six minutes is a good target. That is about 400 to 700 words. Short speeches tend to be memorable and keep the service on schedule.

Can I read the eulogy from my phone

Yes but make sure the screen is set to not ring and the venue lighting is fine. Many people prefer printed paper or index cards because they are easier to manage when emotions run high.

What if the relationship was strained and I do not want to lie

Be honest but kind. You can acknowledge difficulty and still offer a small memory or a lesson you gained. Short honest lines about growth or reconciliation are completely valid.