On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Michelle Brasier’s debut memoir My Brother’s Ashes Are in a Sandwich Bag is a heartbreakingly hilarious masterpiece of dark humour and raw honesty, blending profound grief over losing her father and brother to cancer.
My Brother’s Ashes Are in a Sandwich Bag

Michelle Brasier’s My Brother’s Ashes Are in a Sandwich Bag is a fearless, funny, and profoundly moving memoir that captures the chaos of grief with unflinching honesty and dark humour. Released in Australia in 2024 and now available in the UK, this remarkable book has quickly become a standout in contemporary memoir writing.

A Heartbreaking Yet Hilarious Journey Through Loss
Drawing from her own lived experiences—losing both her father and brother to cancer, while facing a 97% chance of developing the disease herself—Brasier explores how profound loss reshapes relationships, career, health, and outlook on life. With wry wit and emotional clarity, she turns heartache into something joyful and nostalgic, reminding readers that life’s too short not to laugh through the tears.
The book blends sharp comedy with raw vulnerability, moving seamlessly between grief and joy.
A beautiful and inspiring story told in the hilarious voice of an extraordinary human.
–Tim Minchin

Critical Acclaim and Awards Recognition
My Brother’s Ashes Are in a Sandwich Bag has earned widespread praise for its unique perspective on grief and life. It was named one of Apple’s Best Books of 2024, topped Audible’s list of the year’s best memoirs, and received nominations for the 2025 Russell Prize for Humour Writing and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award.
Judges for the Russell Prize called it “a compelling mixture of grief and comedy, this memoir is an astonishing achievement.” Readers and critics alike celebrate its conversational tone, making it feel like an intimate chat with a brilliant friend.
Meet Michelle Brasier: Comedian, Actor, and Storyteller Extraordinaire


Michelle Brasier is an award-winning Australian comedian, singer, actor, and writer known for her emotionally rich, musical comedy. A frequent collaborator with Aunty Donna (including the Netflix hit Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun), she’s appeared in Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell, voiced characters in Koala Man, and starred in acclaimed solo shows like Average Bear, Legacy, and It’s A Shame We Won’t Be Friends Next Year.
In 2025, Michelle joined the cast of the Australian adaptation of the beloved sitcom Ghosts (Network 10 and Paramount+), playing the vibrant 1980s aerobics instructor Lindy among a quirky ensemble of spectral housemates.
Whether on stage, screen, or the page, Brasier’s signature blend of pathos, wit, and powerhouse vocals captivates audiences worldwide.
Why You Should Read This Book Now
In a world that often shies away from talking about loss, Brasier’s memoir is a bold reminder to live lightly—and loudly—in the face of uncertainty. Heartbreaking and hilarious in equal measure, My Brother’s Ashes Are in a Sandwich Bag will leave you laughing, crying, and feeling profoundly hopeful.
Pick up your copy today and discover why this is one of the most talked-about memoirs of recent years. Life isn’t guaranteed—and isn’t that fucking freeing?
Find more from Michelle Brasier now:
Apple Book: https://apple.co/4jpTccl
Apple Audiobook: https://apple.co/3NdvbsS
Kindle: https://amzn.to/496CYBn
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4jt8QDO
Audible: https://amzn.to/4q7AicX
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