Last Words Matter™
The stories we share often become part of how a person is remembered.
Writing an obituary for someone you love — or even preparing one for yourself — can feel overwhelming.
You may be wondering:
- What should be included?
- Is there a proper format to follow?
- How personal should it be?
- Where should it be published?
And during a time of grief or emotional reflection, finding the right words is often one of the hardest parts.
This guide will walk you step-by-step through writing an obituary, including examples, templates, formatting tips, and practical advice to help you create a meaningful tribute.
What Is an Obituary?
An obituary is a written notice of a person’s death that shares important details about their life, family, accomplishments, and funeral or memorial arrangements. A eulogy, on the other hand, is a speech delivered during a funeral or memorial service that focuses more personally on stories, memories, and relationships.
Traditionally, obituaries appeared in local newspapers. Today, obituaries are also commonly published:
- On funeral home websites
- Through online memorial pages
- On social media
- In community publications
- On family websites or tribute pages
Modern obituaries have evolved beyond simple death announcements. Today, many families choose to create deeply personal tributes that celebrate personality, values, relationships, and the unique story of a person’s life.
Who Should Write an Obituary for the Departed?
Obituary writing is usually a task handled by surviving family or a special friend. If you find yourself in the position of having to write an obituary, don’t delay. You may only have a few days after a person’s death to get the obituary printed for notification of any upcoming funeral service or memorial service.
But more often, today’s baby boomers are bucking the trend and writing their own obituaries. Why? Because they don’t want to burden their family with any unnecessary tasks after their passing. And they do want to leave a mark—in their own way and in their own words.
Gather Information for the Obituary
If you are writing an obituary for yourself, then you only need to work from your own memory. However, if you are writing an obituary for someone else, you’ll want to gather some information first in order to outline an account of an individual’s life or to create a biographical sketch.
When a loved one close to you has passed away, it is important to collect as much personal information as necessary. This makes your job of writing the actual obituary a lot easier. You may want to start with a copy of the person’s résumé or online LinkedIn profile, if it is available. Then be sure to talk to family members, friends, and colleagues to find out more.
What Should an Obituary Include?
A good obituary balances factual information with personal storytelling.
Most obituaries include:
Basic Information
- Full name
- Age
- City and state of residence
- Date of passing
Life Details
- Date and place of birth
- Parents’ names
- Education
- Career or military service
- Hobbies and passions
- Community involvement
- Accomplishments
Family Information
- Immediate surviving family members
- Family members who preceded them in death
Service Information
- Funeral or memorial service details
- Visitation information
- Burial or celebration of life arrangements
Memorial Information
- Charitable donation requests
- Special acknowledgments
- Personal closing message or quote
How to Write an Obituary Step-by-Step
Step 1: Announce the Passing
Start with the essential announcement.
Include:
- Full name
- Age
- Location
- Date of death
Step 2: Share Important Life Details
Next, provide a brief overview of the person’s life.
Step 3: Highlight Personality and Passions
This is often the heart of the obituary.
Step 4: Include Family Members
List close surviving relatives and family members who preceded them in death.
Step 5: Add Funeral or Memorial Information
Include service details if they are public.
Step 6: Include Memorial or Donation Information
Step 7: End with a Meaningful Closing
Obituary Templates
Simple Obituary Template
If you’re unsure where to begin, this obituary template can help.
Short Obituary Template
A short obituary is often used for newspaper notices or brief public announcements.
Obituary Examples
Short Obituary Example
Sarah Williams, 84, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026.
Sarah devoted her life to her family, church, and community.
Traditional Obituary Example
William Henry Thompson, 86, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
How Long Should an Obituary Be?
The length required for your obituary depends on where it will be published. Typically, newspapers are very strict about the word or character limits for their obituaries.
For most circumstances, you may want to have a long version and a short version available.
Common Obituary Mistakes to Avoid
- Making It Too Chronological
- Forgetting Service Details
- Including Too Much Information
- Waiting Until the Last Minute
- Missing Personal Touches
Where to Publish an Obituary
Today, families have several options for publishing obituaries.
Newspapers
Funeral Home Websites
Online Memorial Websites
Social Media
Personal or Family Websites
How to Write Your Own Obituary
More people today are choosing to write their own obituary as a way to reflect on life, preserve their voice, and ease the burden on loved ones.