Obituary Examples: Ready-to-Use Templates for Every Situation

Writing an obituary is one of the hardest writing tasks there is. You are being asked to summarize a whole life in a few paragraphs, during the worst days of your own. This guide does not make that easy -- but it gives you a solid starting point.

Most obituaries run 150–300 words for newspapers and longer for online tributes. They include the person's name, dates, survivors, service details, and one or two sentences that actually sound like them. Pick any template below, swap in your loved one's details, and rewrite any line that doesn't feel right.

Below you will find real-length sample obituaries for every common situation: short announcements, long tributes, parents, spouses, siblings, traditional formats, and modern ones. Adapt anything here by replacing the bracketed details with your loved one's specifics.

For a full walkthrough of what to include and how to structure an obituary, see our guide to how to write an obituary. For military veterans, see how to write a military obituary.

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What Every Obituary Should Include

Most obituaries include the same core elements:

• Full name, age, and date of death
• Place of residence at time of death
• Brief biographical summary (birthplace, career, defining roles)
• Survivors (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings)
• Preceded in death by (parents, spouse, children, if applicable)
• Service information (date, time, location)
• Memorial donations or flowers preference

Short obituaries may skip some of these. Long ones expand on all of them. Both are appropriate -- the right length depends on the publication, the family's preference, and what feels true to the person.

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Short Obituary Examples

Short obituaries (two to four sentences) are used for newspaper columns with word limits, quick online announcements, or families who prefer brevity.

Short obituary for a parent

[Full Name], [age], of [city], passed away peacefully on [date] surrounded by [his/her/their] family. [He/She/They] was a devoted [mother/father] and [career or defining role]. [He/She/They] is survived by [surviving family members] and preceded in death by [those who predeceased]. A [service type] will be held on [date] at [location]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [charity].

Short obituary for a spouse

[Full Name], [age], of [city], died on [date] after a [brief illness / long illness / sudden illness / unexpectedly]. The beloved [husband/wife/partner] of [spouse's name] for [X] years, [he/she/they] is remembered for [one quality or role]. [He/She/They] is survived by [spouse name] and [children, siblings, etc.]. Services will be held privately.

Short obituary for a public announcement

It is with deep sadness that the family of [Full Name] announces [his/her/their] passing on [date] at the age of [age]. [He/She/They] touched many lives through [career, community role, or relationship]. A celebration of life will be held [date and location, or "at a date to be announced"]. Condolences may be shared at [memorial page link or funeral home].

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Long-Form Obituary Examples

Longer obituaries (three to six paragraphs) give space for biography, personality, and tribute. These are common in community newspapers, on funeral home websites, and on memorial pages.

For a Mother

[Full Name], [age], of [city, state], passed away on [date] at [hospital, home, or care facility]. She was born on [date] in [birthplace] to [parents' names] and spent much of her life in [area].

[She] worked for [X] years as [career], but her most important role was as a mother, grandmother, and friend. She was the kind of person who [a specific quality -- always had food ready when you arrived / remembered every birthday without looking at a calendar / had a gift for making the people around her feel seen]. Her home was a gathering place, and her kitchen table was where half the important conversations of our lives took place.

In her later years, [she] found joy in [hobbies, activities, faith community, travel]. She was a member of [church, organization, or group] and spent years volunteering with [organization if applicable].

[She] is survived by her [husband/partner] of [X] years, [name]; [her children: names]; [her grandchildren: number or names]; and [siblings, other family]. She was preceded in death by [parents' names] and [others].

A [funeral service / celebration of life / memorial Mass] will be held on [date] at [time] at [location]. Burial will follow at [cemetery]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [charity or organization] in [her] memory.

For a Father

[Full Name], age [age], of [city], died [date] after [brief description: a brief illness, an unexpected illness, quietly at home]. He was [age] years old.

Born in [birthplace] on [date], [he] grew up in [area] and later [career or life path]. He spent [X] years working as [career], where [he] was known for [a quality: his precision, his humor, the way he mentored younger colleagues]. But [he] would have told you that the job was never the point -- the point was the people.

Outside of work, [he] was happiest [a specific thing: in the garden, at the lake, in the stands at his grandchildren's games, in the kitchen on Sunday mornings]. [He] had [a quality or habit -- a way of telling the same three stories and making them funny every time / a commitment to showing up / a refusal to leave without doing the dishes].

[He] is survived by [spouse name], [his children and their spouses], and [grandchildren]. He was preceded in death by [parents' names].

The family will receive visitors on [date] from [time] at [location]. A funeral service will follow at [time]. Interment at [cemetery]. Memorial contributions may be made to [charity].

For a Spouse or Partner

[Full Name], [age], of [city], died unexpectedly on [date]. [He/She/They] was the beloved [husband/wife/partner] of [surviving spouse's name] and a deeply loved [father/mother/parent], [grandfather/grandmother/grandparent], and friend.

[He/She/They] was born in [birthplace] on [date], the [oldest/youngest/middle] child of [parents' names]. After [education or early life], [he/she/they] settled in [area] and spent [his/her/their] career in [field or role]. But those who knew [him/her/them] best would say that [his/her/their] real life's work was [family, community, faith, or whatever was most true].

[He/She/They] married [spouse's name] in [year], and the two spent [X] years building a life together in [city]. Anyone who knew them could see what [he/she/they] meant to each other. Their home was [warm, lively, full of music, a place where nobody left hungry] -- a reflection of the person [he/she/they] was.

[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse], [children], [grandchildren], and [other family]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [parents and others].

A service will be held at [location] on [date] at [time]. The family welcomes friends and asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to [charity].

For a Sibling

[Full Name], age [age], died on [date] in [city]. [He/She/They] was a devoted [brother/sister/sibling], a trusted friend, and [one more role that was true: a proud veteran, an adored uncle, a lifelong teacher].

Born [date] in [birthplace], [he/she/they] was [the oldest/youngest/middle] sibling in a family of [number] children. Growing up, [he/she/they] was [a brief description: the one who always had a scheme, the peacemaker, the one everyone called first].

[He/She/They] spent [his/her/their] career in [field], and [his/her/their] colleagues remember [him/her/them] for [a quality]. Outside of work, [he/she/they] was passionate about [interests]. [A brief sentence about something specific -- a hobby, a community, a cause].

[He/She/They] is survived by [siblings, spouse if applicable, children]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [family members who predeceased].

Services will be held [date and location]. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to [charity].

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Obituary Examples by Style

Traditional / formal

[Full Name], beloved [wife/husband/mother/father] of [family names], passed away peacefully on [date] at the age of [age]. Born in [birthplace] in [year], [he/she/they] devoted [his/her/their] life to [career and family]. [He/She/They] was a faithful member of [church or faith community] and a dedicated [volunteer, community member, etc.]. [He/She/They] is survived by [survivors]. Funeral services will be held at [location] on [date]. Interment in [cemetery]. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to [charity].

Modern / conversational

[Full Name] died on [date]. [He/She/They] was [age].

[First name] would have hated a long obituary. So here is the short version: [he/she/they] was [a quality or two, honest and specific]. [He/She/They] spent [his/her/their] life [doing something meaningful in plain language]. [He/She/They] loved [a few things that were real: bad puns and good coffee / her grandchildren and her garden / the Cubs, which hurt, but he never stopped].

[He/She/They] is survived by [family] and preceded in death by [family].

[A service will be held / The family will gather privately]. In [his/her/their] memory, please [hug someone you love / donate to [charity] / plant something that will outlast you].

Religious

[Full Name] entered eternal rest on [date], at the age of [age]. Born in [birthplace] on [date], [he/she/they] was a devoted [faith] and a faithful member of [church name] for [X] years.

[His/Her/Their] life was shaped by [his/her/their] faith, [his/her/their] family, and [his/her/their] commitment to [community, service, values]. [He/She/They] is now at peace with [God / the Lord / his/her/their Creator], and [his/her/their] family takes comfort in that hope.

[He/She/They] is survived by [survivors] and preceded in death by [family members].

A [Mass of Christian Burial / Funeral Service / Memorial Service] will be celebrated on [date] at [time] at [church or location]. Burial to follow at [cemetery]. Memorial gifts may be directed to [church or faith-related charity] in [his/her/their] name.

Non-religious / secular

[Full Name] died on [date], surrounded by people who loved [him/her/them]. [He/She/They] was [age] years old.

[He/She/They] was born in [birthplace] and spent [his/her/their] life [a plain-language summary of what they did and who they were]. Those who knew [him/her/them] remember [a specific quality -- the way they told a story, the way they fixed things, the way they showed up].

[He/She/They] lived fully and quietly and well. [His/Her/Their] absence will be felt for a long time.

[He/She/They] is survived by [survivors]. A gathering to celebrate [his/her/their] life will be held [date and location]. No flowers, please -- the family asks that donations be made to [charity] in [his/her/their] memory.

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Obituaries by Circumstance

After a long illness

[Full Name] died on [date] after a courageous [X]-year battle with [illness]. [He/She/They] was [age]. Throughout [his/her/their] illness, [he/she/they] continued to [a specific thing: work, travel, tend the garden, make dinner for the family] for as long as [he/she/they] was able. [His/Her/Their] determination and grace inspired everyone who knew [him/her/them].

Sudden or unexpected death

[Full Name], age [age], died unexpectedly on [date]. [His/Her/Their] passing has left a tremendous hole in the lives of everyone who loved [him/her/them]. [He/She/They] was [a brief description: full of life, always planning the next thing, impossible to imagine gone].

At an advanced age

[Full Name] died peacefully on [date] at the age of [age], with [his/her/their] family by [his/her/their] side. [He/She/They] lived a long and full life, and [his/her/their] family takes comfort in [his/her/their] peaceful passing and in [the years/memories/love] they shared.

Loss of a child

[Full Name], age [age], of [city], died on [date]. [He/She/They] was [a few words: curious, gentle, full of laughter -- something true]. [His/Her/Their] brief life touched more hearts than [his/her/their] family will ever fully know. [He/She/They] is survived by [parents' names] and [siblings and other family]. In [his/her/their] memory, the family asks that donations be made to [charity]. There will be a private family service.

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Tips for Writing Your Own Obituary

Start with what is true, not what sounds right. The most memorable obituaries are the ones that sound like the person -- that capture something real rather than something generic.

One specific detail is worth ten adjectives. "[He] was generous" tells you less than "[He] would stop whatever he was doing when you walked in the door." Think about what the person actually did, said, and were, not just how they were.

Write it to the survivors, not to strangers. An obituary is read by people who loved this person. It does not need to make sense to people who did not.

Do not agonize over the structure. Get the essential information down first: name, dates, survivors, service details. Then write the personal part. You can always rearrange.

Read it out loud before you finalize. If anything sounds stiff or unlike how you actually talk, rewrite it.

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Sharing the Obituary

Once the obituary is written, most families publish it in the local newspaper and on the funeral home website. You can also share it on an online memorial page, where it becomes part of a permanent tribute alongside photos, candles, and memories from friends and family.

An online memorial page gives people who could not attend the service a place to grieve together, and it preserves the tribute long after the newspaper archive disappears. Funeral homes that want to offer this for every family they serve can learn more about memorial pages for funeral homes.

For guidance on what else to put on a memorial page, see what to write on a memorial page. For the in-memoriam format -- used in newsletters, programs, and anniversary tributes -- see how to write an in memoriam. If you are deciding whether you need an obituary, an online memorial, or both, see online memorial vs obituary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an obituary be?

Most newspaper obituaries run 150–300 words. Online obituaries and memorial page tributes can be longer — three to six paragraphs. The right length depends on the publication's word limits and what feels true to the person.

What information is required in an obituary?

At minimum: full name, age, date of death, survivors, and service details. Most also include a brief biography — birthplace, career, defining roles. Personal memories and specific details are optional but make the obituary more meaningful.

Can I write my own obituary in advance?

Yes — many people do. Writing your own gives you control over the tone, what's included, and how you're remembered. Leave it with your important documents or share it with your family in advance.

What should I not include in an obituary?

Skip specific home addresses (a security risk when the house will be empty during the service), contentious family dynamics, and cause of death if the family prefers not to share it. If the paper charges per word, trim non-essential details first.

Can I use an online memorial instead of a newspaper obituary?

Yes. Many families skip the newspaper entirely and share the obituary on an online memorial page, which is free to share and can include photos, candles, and a guestbook. See online memorial vs obituary for a full comparison.