How to Write an Obituary: Steps, Template and Examples
An obituary announces a death and gives a short account of the person's life. Most follow a simple order: the announcement (full name, age, place and date of death), a brief life story, the people they leave behind and those who died before them, service details, and any request for donations in place of flowers. Beyond those facts, the best obituaries include one or two specific details that make the person recognisable to everyone who knew them.
If you are writing one now, you are probably doing it under time pressure and in grief. This guide is meant to make the task manageable.
Before you start
Check the practical details
- Where it will appear. Newspapers usually charge for obituaries, often by length or line, and some have word limits or required formats. Funeral homes often publish obituaries on their websites, sometimes as part of their service. Ask the funeral director what is included.
- Deadlines. Newspapers have submission deadlines, especially if the obituary must appear before the service.
- Photo requirements, if you plan to include one.
Gather information
Collect these facts, and confirm spellings with family members:
- Full name, including any nickname or maiden name
- Age, date of birth and date of death
- Place of birth and place of death (town is usually enough)
- Parents' names
- Spouse or partner, and children, grandchildren, siblings
- Family members who died before them
- Education, work, military service
- Community roles, faith, hobbies, causes
- Funeral, memorial or celebration details
- Preferred charity, if suggesting donations
The structure of an obituary
1. The announcement
Open with the essentials in one or two sentences.
Margaret "Peggy" Alder, 84, of Fairfield, died peacefully on October 28, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Families choose different wording: "died," "passed away," "went home to be with the Lord," "after a long illness." Use whatever feels right for your family and the person. You do not have to give a cause of death.
2. The life story
In a few short paragraphs, give an outline of the person's life: where they grew up, education, work, marriage, the places they lived. Then add what made them who they were.
This is where specific details matter. Compare:
General: She loved her family and enjoyed gardening.
Specific: She grew enough tomatoes every summer to supply half of Elm Street, and no grandchild left her house without a jar of her green tomato chutney.
You do not need many details like this. One or two make the whole obituary feel personal.
3. Survivors and predeceased family
List the close family members who survive them, usually starting with spouse, then children (with their spouses), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings and others. Then name those who died before them.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Harold; her children, Susan (Mark) Evans and David (Linda) Alder; five grandchildren; and her sister, Joan Pierce. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Ruth Kemp, and her brother, Frank.
Partners' names in parentheses is a common convention in US obituaries. Family structures vary, so write it in a way that reflects your family accurately and kindly. If listing everyone by name is too long, "numerous nieces and nephews" is fine.
4. Service details
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, at St. Luke's Church, 22 Main Street, Fairfield. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service.
If services are private, say so: "A private family service will be held."
5. Donations and thanks
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Fairfield Hospice.
The family thanks the staff of Fairfield Hospice for their kindness and care.
A fill-in template
[Full name], [age], of [town], died [peacefully / unexpectedly / after a long illness] on [date], [at home / in place].
Born on [date of birth] in [place] to [parents' names], [first name] grew up [brief detail]. [Education.] [Work and career.] [Marriage or partnership, with year if desired.]
[One or two sentences about what they loved, what they were known for, a specific detail people will recognise.]
[He / She / They] [is / are] survived by [family list]. [He / She / They] [was / were] preceded in death by [family list].
A [funeral / memorial / celebration of life] will be held at [time] on [date] at [location]. [Visitation details.]
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [organisation].
Sample obituaries
These are fictional examples to show tone and structure.
Traditional
James Robert Whitlow, 77, of Millbrook, died on October 30, 2026, at Millbrook General Hospital.
Jim was born on March 3, 1949, in Dayton to Robert and Alice Whitlow. After serving in the Army, he worked for 35 years as an electrician, retiring in 2011. He married Carol Hughes in 1972. Jim coached Little League for two decades and could still name the starting line-up of every team he coached.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, Michael (Anna) and Steven; four grandchildren; and his brother, Paul. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 10, at Grace Methodist Church, Millbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Millbrook Youth Baseball League.
Warmer, more personal
Elena Marisol Cruz, who never once arrived anywhere on time and never once forgot a birthday, died on November 1, 2026, at the age of 58.
Elena spent 30 years teaching Year 6, and former pupils still stop her family in the supermarket to tell them about her lessons. She sang loudly, baked badly and gave the best advice of anyone we knew.
She leaves her partner, Owen; her daughters, Lucia and Rosa; her mother, Teresa; and a lot of people who will miss her laugh.
Everyone is welcome at a celebration of her life at the Riverside Community Hall on Saturday, November 15, from 1 p.m. Bright colours encouraged.
Writing tips
- Draft first, edit later. Write everything down, then cut to fit the length or budget.
- Ask family members for a memory each. Often one line from a sibling or grandchild becomes the heart of the obituary.
- Match the person. A formal person may deserve a formal obituary; a person who loved a joke may deserve one gentle line of humour.
- Proofread names, dates and times twice, and have another family member read it. These are the details people rely on, and errors are painful to correct after publication.
- Protect against fraud. Some families leave out full birth dates, home addresses or the fact that the home will be empty during the service.
A grammar checker can catch typos before you submit. If you are also asked to speak at the service, an AI speech writer can help you organise your thoughts into a first draft of a eulogy, which you can then fill with your own memories and words.
FAQ
How long should an obituary be?
There is no fixed length. Many newspaper obituaries run from about 200 to 500 words, often limited by cost. Online obituaries on funeral home sites can be longer. Write the full version first, then trim to fit.
Do I have to include the cause of death?
No. Many families choose not to. Some mention it to raise awareness or explain a request for donations to a related charity. It is entirely a family decision.
Who usually writes the obituary?
Usually a close family member, sometimes with help from the funeral director. Some families share the task, with one person drafting and others adding memories and checking details.
Can I publish an obituary only online?
Yes. Many families publish only on a funeral home website or a memorial page and share it through social media or messaging. Newspaper publication is optional unless you have a reason to reach a wider local audience.