Writing a tribute to your late brother or sister is hard because the memories go back so far. A brother or sister is the person who shared your childhood. This guide gives you sample tributes to a late brother and to a late sister that you can copy and adapt, short ones for when space is tight, and a simple way to write your own for the funeral programme.
Before you write
Ask whoever is putting the programme together three things.
- How long? For a printed tribute, 150 to 250 words is usual. A short tribute of four or five sentences is also fine.
- One tribute or several? In a large family, the brothers and sisters often sign one tribute together. Otherwise each writes their own.
- When is it needed? Tributes must be in before the programme goes to print.
How to write a tribute to your late brother or sister
- Start with the name you called them. Their home name, a pet name, "Bros", "Sis", "Big Sister". Use the real one.
- Go back to childhood. One memory that only a brother or sister would have.
- Say who they became. One or two qualities, each with a small example.
- Say what they did for you. School fees paid, advice given, a home opened to you.
- Say goodbye. A promise to look after their family, a prayer, or a plain farewell.
Write to them directly, as "you". It is easier, and it reads more warmly.
Opening lines you can use
- My brother, I have known you every day of my life.
- Sis, you were the first friend I ever had.
- (Name), we shared one room and one plate. Nobody knew me as you did.
- Big Brother, you always went first. I did not want you to go first in this.
Closing lines you can use
- Rest well, my brother. I will look after your children as my own.
- Sleep on, dear sister. Your place in this family will never be filled.
- Till we meet again, my brother, my friend.
Sample tributes to a late brother
Replace the words in brackets with your own details.
Tribute to my late brother
My dear brother (name),
We grew up sharing one room and one bicycle, and you always let me ride first. You were my first friend and my first defender. When I was in trouble at school, it was you I ran to.
You grew into a man who carried other people's burdens. You paid (school fees, rent, hospital bills) quietly and never spoke of it. You called every Sunday to ask about the children. You settled our quarrels before our parents ever heard of them.
I did not know that our last conversation would be the last. Thank you for being a good brother, a good son and a good father. I will look after (wife's name) and the children as you would have looked after mine.
Rest well, my brother. Till we meet again.
Your (brother, sister),
(name)
Tribute to my late brother from his sister
(Name), my brother,
You walked me to school and waited at the gate until I was inside. You warned every boy in the street to leave your sister alone. I complained then. I would give anything for it now.
When I married, you told my husband plainly what you expected of him. When things were hard, you sent (money, food, a ticket home) before I asked.
I thank God for a brother like you. I will be an aunt to your children the way you were an uncle to mine.
Rest well, my brother.
Your sister,
(name)
Tribute to an elder brother who was like a father
Brother (name),
After (our father died, we left home), you became more than our eldest. You (left school, took a job, put off your own plans) so that the rest of us could finish, and you never reminded us of it.
Every big decision in my life passed through your sitting room. You listened, you asked two questions, and then you said, "(his words)".
We are standing today because you carried us. Now it is our turn to carry your family.
Thank you, Big Brother. Rest in peace.
(name)
Sample tributes to a late sister
Tribute to my late sister
My sister, my friend,
You were the one who plaited my hair, corrected my homework and covered for me when I came home late. You became a second mother to all of us after (event), though you were still young yourself.
You had a gift for making a home. Wherever you lived, there was food on the fire and room for one more. You remembered every birthday. You never ended a call without a prayer.
The family is not the same without your voice. Thank you for your love, your patience and your example. We will keep your children close, and we will keep your memory alive.
Sleep on, dear sister. You are loved always.
(name)
Tribute to my late sister from her brother
My dear sister (name),
You knew me better than anyone. You could tell from my "hello" on the phone that something was wrong, and you would not hang up until I told you.
You fought with me over everything when we were small, and for me against everyone when we grew up. You were the first person I called with good news, and the first to arrive with food when the news was bad.
I do not know whom to call now. Thank you for a lifetime of looking out for me.
Sleep well, my sister.
Your brother,
(name)
More sample tributes to a brother or sister
A joint tribute from all the brothers and sisters
To our dear (name),
You were the (first, second, last) of us, and the one who held us together. Each of us has a story of something you did for us without being asked. You taught us to stay united, and we will honour you by doing so.
We thank God for the years we had with you. We will care for your family as our own. Rest in the bosom of the Lord.
Your brothers and sisters,
(names in order of birth)
For a younger brother or sister
When the one who died was younger, the tribute often says how wrong the order feels. It is right to say so plainly.
You were the baby of the house, and I carried you on my back. It should not be me writing this for you. I do not understand it, but I thank God for every day you were with us. You brought laughter into this family, and we will not forget it.
A tribute to a twin
(Name), we came into the world together, and I never imagined a day in it without you. We shared a birthday, a face and a way of talking that nobody else understood. Half of every memory I have is yours. I will live for both of us now. Rest well, my twin.
When the death was sudden
(Name), we spoke on (day), and you were laughing. There was no warning and no goodbye. I do not understand it, and I will not pretend to. But I am thankful for every one of the (number) years I had you. Rest in peace, my (brother, sister).
For a brother-in-law or sister-in-law
Keep it shorter than the tributes from the blood family, and speak from your own experience.
(Name), from the day I married into this family you treated me as your own (brother, sister). You welcomed me, advised me, and stood by us in hard times. Thank you for your kindness. We will stand by (spouse's name) and the children. Rest in peace.
A short tribute
Use this when space is tight, or when words will not come.
(Name), you were more than a (brother, sister) to me. You were my friend from the first day of my life. Thank you for every kindness. I will miss you all my days. Rest in peace.
18 short tributes to a late brother or sister
Use one of these when the programme gives each person only a few lines, or for a wreath card, a WhatsApp status or a post online.
Short tributes to a brother
- My brother, my first friend. You shared your food, your room and your courage with me. Rest in peace.
- You stood up for me before I could stand up for myself. Thank you, Bros. Sleep well.
- We fought as boys and stood together as men. I have lost my right hand. Rest well, my brother.
- You were the uncle my children ran to. They will not forget you, and neither will I.
- Big Brother, you led the way in everything. We will follow your example. Rest in peace.
- You never said "I love you". You said "Have you eaten" and "Do you need anything". I understood. Good night, my brother.
Short tributes to a sister
- Sis, you kept my secrets and cheered the loudest for me. Nobody can take your place. Rest in peace.
- You mothered all of us when you were only a child yourself. Rest now, Big Sister. You have done enough.
- We shared clothes, a bed and every secret. I will miss you all my life. Sleep well, my sister.
- You remembered every birthday and forgave every wrong. Thank you for being the heart of this family.
- My sister, my friend. The phone is quiet without you. Good night.
- You were the last born and the first to make us laugh. The house is too quiet now. Rest well, little sister.
From all the brothers and sisters
- (Name), one chair at the family table is empty, and no one else can fill it. Rest in peace.
- You held us together. We will hold together for you. Sleep well, dear (brother, sister).
- We shared one home and one childhood. A part of each of us has gone with you. Rest well.
Short and simple
- Rest in peace, my brother. Till we meet again.
- Sleep well, dear sister. You are loved always.
- A good (brother, sister) and a true friend. Forever in our hearts.
When you had grown apart
Brothers and sisters do not always stay close. You do not need to pretend or to explain. Say what was true and good, and stop there.
(Name), we let too many years pass without speaking, and I am sorry for my part in it. I never stopped being your (brother, sister). I remember the children we were, and I am grateful for them. Rest in peace.
Bible verses to end a tribute to a brother or sister
Many families close a tribute with a verse. The wording here is from the King James Version.
- Proverbs 17, verse 17. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
- Psalm 133, verse 1. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
- John 11, verse 23. "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again."
For more, see Bible verses for funerals.
What to leave out
- Old quarrels, even ones that were mended
- Details of the illness, unless the family has agreed to share them
- Disagreements about property or the burial
- Anything that would hurt their husband, wife or children to read
Questions people ask
How do I write a tribute to my late brother?
Start with the name you called him, then give one childhood memory that only a brother or sister would have. Say who he became and what he did for you, and end with a promise, a prayer or a plain farewell.
What do I say in a tribute to my late sister?
Say what she was to you: a friend, a second mother, the one who kept the family together. Give one small, true example, thank her, and say goodbye.
How long should a tribute to a brother or sister be?
For a printed funeral programme, 150 to 250 words is usual. A short tribute of four or five sentences is also fine. A tribute read at the service should take under two minutes.
Do brothers and sisters write one tribute or separate ones?
Either. In a large family, the brothers and sisters often sign one tribute together, with their names in order of birth. In a smaller family, each writes their own.
What can I write if my brother or sister and I were not close?
Write a short, honest tribute. Leave the quarrel out, name one good memory from childhood, and wish them peace.
Before you send it
- Check the spelling of every name.
- List brothers and sisters in order of birth.
- Read it aloud once. If it will be read at the service, keep it under two minutes.
- Send it as typed text, so that it can go into the programme without errors.
For the facts of the life, see the sample biography of a late mother or father, which follows the same order for anyone. For more help, see how to write a tribute. Their husband or wife can use tribute to a late husband or wife, and friends can use tribute to a friend or colleague.
Collect the family's tributes with Homegoing
Homegoing gives the family one link to share on WhatsApp. Each brother and sister, wherever they live, can open it on a phone and add a tribute. The family chooses the order they are printed in. Start a programme