How to Write an Obituary for Your Brother

Writing an obituary for a brother is a unique kind of grief. You shared childhood bedrooms, family holidays, inside jokes, and decades of shared history. Trying to condense his life onto a single page while coordinating funeral arrangements and managing family phone calls can feel overwhelming.

You do not need to be a professional writer to do this well. What matters most is getting the facts right, capturing a sense of who he was, and giving people the details they need to attend his service or send their condolences. Use the guide, structural breakdown, and full examples below to get started.

What to include in an obituary for your brother

A standard obituary follows a chronological, practical order. While you can adjust the tone to fit your brother's personality, keeping this general structure ensures you do not miss critical legal or logistical details.

1. Announcement of death

Open with his full legal name, age, city of residence, and the date he died. You can include his nickname in quotation marks or parentheses. Mention where he died (such as at home or in a local hospital) if the family is comfortable sharing that detail.

2. Early life and background

Note where and when he was born, his parents' names, and where he grew up. Mention the schools he attended, degrees he earned, or military service. Keep this section brief so you have room to talk about his adult life and character.

3. Career, interests, and milestones

Describe his profession, long-held jobs, or businesses he built. More importantly, include what he actually cared about. If he spent every weekend restoring vintage trucks, coaching youth soccer, tending a backyard vegetable patch, or playing guitar in local clubs, write that down. These specific details make an obituary sound like a real person rather than a resume.

4. Family and survivors

Listing survivors requires careful attention to family dynamics and etiquette. The standard order runs from closest immediate family to extended relatives:

• Spouses and partners: List a surviving spouse or long-term partner first. If your brother had a former spouse with whom he remained close or co-parented, you may include them if the family agrees, though it is usually noted as "the mother of his children, [Name]."
• Children and their partners: List surviving children in birth order. Spouses of children belong in parentheses directly following their partner: "his daughter Sarah (Michael) Jenkins and his son David (Elena) Vance."
• Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: If there are only a few, name them individually. If there are many, a collective count works well: "and seven grandchildren."
• Parents and siblings: List surviving parents, then brothers and sisters. As his sibling, your name will appear in this section.
• Blended families: Step-parents, step-siblings, and half-siblings can be listed alongside biological family or explicitly named (for example, "his stepmother, Clara Cole, and stepbrother, Marcus"). The key is to be consistent and avoid leaving out family members who were a meaningful part of his life.
• Predeceased relatives: Conclude the family section with relatives who died before him, introduced by the phrase "He was preceded in death by..." This traditionally includes parents, spouses, siblings, or children who passed away earlier.

5. Service and memorial details

State the day, date, time, and exact address for any visitation, funeral, burial, or reception. If the service is private, write "Services will be private" so acquaintances know not to expect a public gathering.

6. Memorial contributions

Specify where people can send flowers or donations. If your brother cared deeply about a local animal shelter, an addiction recovery program, or a hospice center, direct gifts there in lieu of flowers.

Obituary examples

These five examples illustrate different lengths, tones, and formats. You can borrow opening sentences, adapt paragraphs, or simply insert your brother's names and dates into the text.

Traditional obituary

This format works well for newspaper archives, funeral home websites, and printed service programs. It is balanced, formal, and covers every major phase of life.

Robert "Bob" Alan Miller, 61, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, surrounded by his family after a brief illness.

Bob was born on August 22, 1964, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Thomas and Eleanor Miller. He graduated from Oakridge High School in 1982 and went on to work for the state department of transportation for thirty-two years as a civil surveyor, retiring in 2021. Bob took immense pride in his work, knowing that the roads he surveyed kept his community connected and safe.

Outside of work, Bob was an avid outdoorsman. He spent autumn weekends deer hunting in the Upper Peninsula and summers fishing on Lake Michigan with his brothers. He was known across his neighborhood for his meticulous lawn care, his willingness to clear snow from every driveway on the block, and his quick, quiet sense of humor.

Bob is survived by his wife of thirty-five years, Karen (nee Hayes); his children, Matthew (Jessica) Miller of Grand Ledge and Amanda (Christopher) Vance of Lansing; three grandchildren, Lucas, Nora, and Henry; his mother, Eleanor Miller; his brothers, James (Patricia) Miller and Steven Miller; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Miller, and his sister, Diane Miller.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Oakridge Funeral Home in Lansing. A funeral service will take place on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Community Church, with burial following at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Fund.

Short newspaper obituary

Print newspapers charge by the line or column inch. This concise version retains all necessary facts, family members, and service details while keeping costs low.

Kevin James Ortiz, 48, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on February 3, 2026. Born to Hector and Rosa Ortiz on October 11, 1977, Kevin worked for over twenty years as a master electrician across Bexar County. He was a dedicated father, a skilled tradesman, and a lifelong fan of the San Antonio Spurs.

He is survived by his son, Anthony Ortiz; his partner, Maria Delgado; his parents, Hector and Rosa; and his siblings, Daniel (Elena) Ortiz and Gabriel Ortiz. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, at Oakridge Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the San Antonio Food Bank.

Modern and personal obituary

If your brother had an unconventional spirit or a lively personality, a formal announcement might feel too stiff. This example focuses on character, habits, and community impact.

Marcus Dale Campbell, 39, died on March 2, 2026, in Portland, Oregon, doing what he loved most: riding his bike home through the rain after a shift in the kitchen.

Born in Boise, Idaho, on July 14, 1986, Marcus lived life with an open heart and very little patience for sitting still. He moved to Portland in 2008 and quickly became a fixture in the local culinary scene, working his way from dishwasher to head line cook at several neighborhood bakeries and bistros. Marcus did not just feed people; he remembered their names, their coffee orders, and what kind of day they were having. He was the kind of brother who sent strange postcards from yard sales, arrived unannounced with fresh sourdough, and defended his collection of vinyl records with genuine passion.

He possessed a rare ability to make strangers feel like old friends within five minutes. If you needed help moving a couch, someone to watch your dog on short notice, or an honest opinion on a used car, Marcus showed up.

He leaves behind his parents, Douglas Campbell of Boise and Janet Rhodes of Spokane; his sister, Rachel Campbell (Thomas Wright) of Seattle; his stepbrother, Brian Holt; his long-term partner, Chloe Nguyen; and a wide circle of friends, coworkers, and neighbors who will miss his laugh every single day. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale and Marjorie Campbell.

A casual gathering to celebrate Marcus's life will be held on Sunday, March 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the Alberta Park Community Pavilion in Portland. Please dress comfortably. In honor of Marcus, buy a meal for someone who needs one or consider a donation to the Street Roots organization in Portland.

Faith-centered obituary

This format incorporates scripture or faith traditions, emphasizing spiritual dedication and church community involvement.

Elder David Paul Zimmerman, 54, of Marietta, Georgia, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on January 28, 2026.

David was born on November 19, 1971, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Paul and Miriam Zimmerman. A faithful servant of Christ from his youth, David lived out his convictions through daily service, quiet generosity, and steadfast leadership within his church. He earned his bachelor's degree from Oakridge University and spent twenty-eight years as an accountant, serving clients with exceptional integrity.

For over twenty years, David served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Grace Community Church. He participated in short-term mission trips to Guatemala and coordinated the church's local benevolence ministry. He was a devoted family man who led by example, anchoring his home in prayer and kindness.

David is survived by his beloved wife of twenty-six years, Sarah; his children, Jonathan (Hannah) Zimmerman and Grace Zimmerman; his mother, Miriam Zimmerman; his brother, Mark (Beth) Zimmerman; his sister, Rebecca (Scott) Taylor; and many nieces, nephews, and brethren in Christ. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Zimmerman.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, at Grace Community Church in Marietta, with Pastor Thomas Evans officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Grace Community Church Missions Fund.

Celebration of life obituary

When a family opts for an upbeat, informal gathering rather than a traditional service, the obituary should reflect that tone and set clear expectations for guests.

Jeffrey "Jeff" Scott Hansen, 52, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on February 18, 2026, after living fully with cancer for over two years.

Jeff approached life as one long road trip. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 5, 1973, he relocated to Arizona in the mid-1990s and built a successful commercial landscaping business. More than his work, Jeff loved live music, desert camping, golf games that did not take score too seriously, and barbecuing for large crowds in his backyard.

He refused to let his illness dampen his enthusiasm for his friends or his family. Up until his final weeks, he was organizing weekend dinners and planning his next trip to Rocky Point.

Jeff is survived by his daughters, Taylor Hansen and Brooke Hansen; his former spouse and close friend, Michelle Hansen; his brother, Brian (Kelly) Hansen; and his father, Donald Hansen. He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Hansen.

Rather than a solemn funeral, Jeff requested a party with good tacos and loud classic rock. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McCormick Ranch Golf Club, Scottsdale. Bright colors and casual attire are strongly encouraged. Donations in Jeff's name may be made to the Arizona Desert Humane Society.

Writing tips

When you sit down to draft the text, keep these practical suggestions in mind:

• Gather records first: Collect birth certificates, military discharge papers (DD-214), and exact dates before you write. Getting dates wrong causes unnecessary stress later.
• Check with other siblings: Reach out to your other brothers or sisters to verify details. Ask them for one specific memory or character trait they want included. This prevents accidental omissions and ensures the entire family feels represented.
• Write out full names: Verify spellings for in-laws, grandchildren, step-relatives, and towns. Spell out month names rather than using numbers to prevent confusion.
• Read it out loud: Reading your draft aloud is the fastest way to catch clunky phrasing, missing words, or awkward transitions.
• Have someone else proofread: Grief makes focus difficult. Ask a trusted friend or family member who is slightly more removed from the situation to read the final copy before you submit it to the funeral home or newspaper.

Common questions

How do newspapers charge for obituaries?

Pricing varies widely depending on the publication's size and location. Many newspapers charge by the line, word, or column inch, while others offer flat-rate packages, and adding a photo usually increases the cost. Because print notices in major metropolitan papers can be expensive, ask your funeral director or the newspaper's obituary desk for their exact rate sheet before you submit a long draft.

Where should I publish my brother's obituary?

Most families publish in two places: the funeral home's website and the local newspaper in his current town. Funeral home online memorial pages are almost always included in the service package for free and have no word limits. If your brother lived most of his life in a different town or grew up elsewhere, you may also want to run a shortened version in his hometown newspaper so childhood friends and extended family see it.

How long should an obituary be?

A standard obituary for an online tribute or funeral program is between 200 and 400 words. A print newspaper notice usually runs between 75 and 150 words to keep costs manageable. If you have a great deal to say, consider publishing a short version in print with a link to the full, comprehensive tribute hosted online.

Do I have to include the cause of death?

No. You are under no obligation to disclose how your brother died. Phrases such as "passed away peacefully," "died unexpectedly," or "passed away surrounded by family" are completely acceptable. If he died from an illness like cancer, heart disease, or Alzheimer's, or if the family wants to honor his struggle with mental health or addiction, naming the cause can help reduce stigma and direct memorial donations to relevant research charities. The choice belongs entirely to your family.