Understanding the Essentials of an Obituary

An obituary serves as both a public announcement of a person's passing and a celebration of their life. It details their significant achievements, the relationships that defined them, and information about any memorial services that might be held in their honor.

An effectively written obituary goes beyond just listing the facts, and instead seeks to honor the individual's impact on those around them, provide solace and a sense of closure to those mourning, and to let the world know what made them special.

While creativity in obituary writing is welcomed, there is a traditional format that can be followed to ensure you get across the essentials, which is used by most funeral homes. The proper way to write a standard obituary typically includes, in order:

·       Announcement of Death: This is the initial declaration of the individual's passing, mentioning their name, age, residence, and date of passing. The cause of death may be included at the family's discretion.

·       Biography: An overview of the deceased's life, highlighting educational achievements, career milestones, hobbies, and any military service, among other aspects. This may also include anecdotes about their life.

·       Loved Ones: Here, include an acknowledgment of both surviving and predeceased family members, with a focus on spouses, children, and parents, and other close familial connections.

·       Memorial Services: Be sure to include information about the time, date, and location of services like funerals, viewings, or memorials, coupled with details for charitable donations if applicable.

·       Closing Thoughts: Some families choose to conclude with a special message, expression of gratitude, meaningful quote, or personal reflection on the deceased's impact.

The above structure is not mandatory, but instead serves as guide to ensure important details are not forgotten. Always remember that an obituary can be personalized in a limitless variety of ways, if desired. Feel free to take inspiration from any number of obituary examples to get a better sense of how to approach writing one.

Utilizing Obituary Templates

To assist in crafting a fitting tribute, our collection of templates is available for personalization. These templates provide a solid foundation, reducing the stress on families during a difficult time by ensuring no crucial details are overlooked. To use them simply fill in the relevant details in the spaces as noted.

We believe in the importance of celebrating life and acknowledging loss with dignity, and our aim is to facilitate this process for the families we serve. Explore our obituary templates and join us in creating lasting memorials that honor the lives of those we've lost.

A Short and Simple Obituary Template

Full Name of the Deceased (Year Born-Year Died)

[Deceased’s Full Name], [age], of [city, state], died [where/of what] on [date].

[He/She/They] [was/were] born in [city] in [year of birth] to [parents’ names]. [First Name] was educated at [school(s)], and then went on to [“work at (workplace name or type of career),” “joining (military branch),” etc.].

[He/She/They] [insert details about their family and/or hobbies and interests].

[First Name] was preceded in death by [name(s)/family members], and is survived by [name(s)/family members].

[1st service name/type] is [date of service #1] at [location of service #1], and the [2nd service name/type] is [date of service #2] at [location of service #2]. Donations to [charity name] would be greatly appreciated.

A Life Story Obituary Template

Full Name of the Deceased (Year Born–Year Died)

[A few sentences that retells a memorable or colorful event in your loved one’s life, or that sums up what they were best known for.] [Deceased’s Full Name], [age], of [city, state], died [where/of what] on [date].

[He/She/They] [was/were] born in [city] in [year of birth] to [parents’ names], who [insert what your loved one remembered most about their parents and/or their childhood]. [Insert a few childhood memories about school, childhood friends, hardships, or anything else that helped make the who they are]. [Name] attended [high school] before [“studying (major) at (university name),” “going to work at (workplace name),” “joining (military branch),” etc.]. [Here, insert a sentence or two about how this made them the person they are].

ADD A PARAGRAPH FOR ANY OF THE BELOW DETAILS THAT APPLY TO THE DECEASED OR THAT REFLECT AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR LIFE:

SPOUSE – [First name] met their beloved, [spouse’s name] in [year] [at/while] [location/event]. [Insert story of their meeting or early relationship here.] Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married [date/location].

CHILDREN – [First name] and [partner’s first name] were blessed with [number] [of children/child], [Insert children’s names], and nothing was more important to them.

GRANDCHILDREN – Though [he/she/they] loved [activity] and [hobby], [First Name]’s most precious thing in life was being grandparent. [He/she/they] treasured their time with their grandkids, never failing to [tradition/habit] or [tradition/habit]. [Insert a favorite story here.]

PETS – [First name] had great love for their furry friends, treating each and every one like a family member. [Insert story about a beloved pet here.]

FRIENDS – [First name] and [her/his/their] friends were like family to one another. From [activity/memory] to [activity/memory], they were together through it all. [Include another favorite story or two here.]

JOB – [First name] was proud of [her/his/their role] as [job title] at [company name]. Working for the company for [# of years], [insert memory or accomplishment here].

CHURCH/COMMUNITY GROUP – [First name] was an active member of [church/group name], devoting their time and energy to [organization goal].

HOBBIES – Everyone who knew [first name] knew how much [she/he/they] loved [hobby or activity]. [Insert favorite story about hobby here.]

[First name] is lovingly remembered for [her/his/their] [specific quality] and the way that they [always or enjoyed did something specific]. We couldn’t have asked for a better [parent/grandparent/sibling/etc.], and will miss [first name] every day. [Her/his/their] memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew [her/him/them].

[First Name] was preceded in death by [name(s)/family members], and is survived by [name(s)/family members].

[1st service name/type] is [date of service #1] at [location of service #1], and the [2nd service name/type] is [date of service #2] at [location of service #2]. Donations to [charity name] would be greatly appreciated.

A Visual Obituary Template

Here is an example of a more visual obituary template that you can take and download. Feel free to fill in and customize all of the information including:

1. Their Name

2. Customize the image or keep the beautiful floral picture we have.

3. Time and Location of memorial or funeral services.

4. Any other information or instructions for guests to know regarding your celebration of life.

Obituary Examples

For further inspiration on how to approaching writing an obituary, look at these obituary examples. When combined with the templates above, they should provide you with everything you need to write an obituary that will honor your love one’s memory.

An Obituary for a Mother / Grandmother

There are few familial connections more important than the connection someone has to their mother. Summing it up in an obituary can seem like a daunting task, but this family did a wonderful job of paying tribute to their beloved mom, writing an in-depth tribute that shows just how extraordinary an “ordinary” life can be:

Nancy’s friendships encompassed all aspects of life, and each was special to her. From phone call chats to joint family outings, to sharing informal and formal meals and entertaining, to class reunions, to adventures near and far, to helping in times of sadness and difficulty, Nancy was up for it all… She was the friend who would drive you to your chemo appointment just as freely as she would join you for lunch. She was known to drop off a bouquet of flowers at your front door just because. Nancy knew that friendships, like gardens, take work to maintain, and she was willing to put in the effort, thus got to reap the rewards. (Read more of this obituary for a mother.)

An Obituary for a Father / Grandfather

Many families find themselves trying to figure out how to say “Dad was hard-working and dedicated” while also making it personal, especially if you had the kind of father who did not like to be celebrated. This family’s obituary for their father shows how you can say big, important things by simply being respectful about the small details – which may be just what this Dad would have wanted:

Dad, we will miss you, immensely. You were our “go-to” when life got rough, you were our sanity in this crazy world, and our comfort when we needed clarity. You were always someone we could count on, and although you were a straight shooter, you always got your point across without judgement, and always provided us sound advice. You always made sure we made our decisions after thinking things through. You always gave it 110% and never stopped fighting for what’s right. Because of you, we have the hearts of a lion, the love of our family, and an insane work ethic. (Read more of this obituary for a father.)

A Creative Obituary

This obituary for a father is also a great example of how creativity can elevate a death announcement into something truly beautiful:

Dad, like a type-cast character in a play, stepped from one type of service into another. Seamless somehow, he went from protecting and serving his country to protecting and serving his community. My Dad became a Police Officer of the Reno Police Department when Reno was but a small town on an important road in the West, before the Interstate Highway System was real or gravel streets were thought worthy of paving and when individual, extraordinary men owned the glitzy casinos, and not corporations. (Read more of this creative obituary)

A Funny Obituary

Not all obituaries have to be serious. In fact, many of the best obituaries use humor to great effect. As this one shows, a little levity can be just as effective a tribute as something more solemn:

Rick Stein “was reported missing and presumed dead on September 27, 2018,” after the single-engine plane he was piloting lost contact and disappeared off the Atlantic coast. Investigators are perplexed as, according to his family, Stein didn’t know how to fly a plane. Also, his family can’t quite seem to agree on exactly what Stein did for a living: Was he a restaurant owner? A jeweler? A sports journalist? A trail guide in the Rockies? Or a YouTube star? Accounts vary, but one thing is certain: Rick Stein will be missed.  (Read more of this funny obituary)