Obituary Templates and Examples
Writing an obituary usually lands at the hardest moment, with no time to prepare. The templates below give you a shape to fill in, so you never face a blank page.
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Traditional obituary template
When to use it: newspapers and funeral home websites. Usually 200 to 400 words.
[FULL NAME], [age], of [city, state], passed away on [date] at [place]. [He/She/They] was born on [date] in [birthplace] to [parents' names]. [Education, military service and career.] [A paragraph on the life: marriage, children, work, community, faith, interests, and what [he/she/they] will be remembered for.] [He/She/They] is survived by [spouse, children and their spouses, grandchildren, siblings, with cities]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names and relationships]. A [funeral / memorial service / celebration of life] will be held on [date] at [time] at [venue, address]. [Visitation details.] [Burial details.] In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [organization and website].
Short obituary template
When to use it: newspapers that charge by the line, or families who prefer brevity. 50 to 100 words.
[FULL NAME], [age], of [city], died [date]. [He/She/They] is survived by [immediate family]. A [service type] will be held [date] at [venue]. [Donation or contact details.]
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Death notice template
When to use it: a brief announcement of the death and service, with no life story.
[FULL NAME], [age], of [city], [date of death]. [Service type], [date], [time], [venue]. Arrangements by [funeral home].
Celebration of life template
When to use it: a less formal gathering, often after cremation and sometimes weeks later.
[FULL NAME] passed away on [date] at the age of [age]. [A warmer paragraph: what [he/she/they] loved, how [he/she/they] spent their time, what people will remember.] [He/She/They] leaves behind [family]. Family and friends are invited to gather on [date] at [time] at [venue] to share stories and celebrate [his/her/their] life. [Any notes, e.g. "Please wear bright colors."]
What to include, and what people forget
Every obituary needs the full name (including a maiden name or nickname people knew), age, city, date of death and service details.
Three things get missed under pressure: every surviving family member, since an omission is noticed; the place of death, which some newspapers require; and a donation choice, which people will ask about.
Two things to decide on purpose: whether to state the cause of death (optional, often left out), and whether to include a home address (best left out while the family is at the service).
For tone, length and writing about a difficult life honestly, see how to write an obituary.
Where to publish an obituary
Local newspapers charge by the line or column inch, so ask for the rate before you write to length. Funeral home websites usually publish obituaries as part of the arrangements. Online memorial pages have no length limit and are easy to share with people who live far away.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an obituary be?
It depends where it’s published. Paid newspaper notices often run 50 to 200 words, while online obituaries commonly run 300 to 500. Write the full version first for online, then cut a short one for print.
Who is listed as surviving family?
The usual order is spouse, children and their spouses, grandchildren, parents if living, then siblings. Family members who died earlier go in a separate “preceded in death by” sentence.
Do you have to include the cause of death?
No. It’s entirely the family’s choice. Many families use a general phrase like “after a long illness” or leave it out.
Can I write an obituary before the funeral is arranged?
Yes. Write the life story first and add service details once they’re confirmed. Newspapers often need the notice a day or two before it runs.
What’s the difference between an obituary and a death notice?
A death notice is a short announcement of the death and service. An obituary adds the life story: background, work, family and what the person was known for.
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