Obituary template: a free fill-in template, examples, and what to include
An obituary announces a death, shares the story of a life, and tells people how to say goodbye. It doesn't have to be long or perfectly written. Use the template below to get the facts down, then add a few sentences that sound like the person you're honoring. Two complete examples follow.
Help me write an obituary, free preview- Typical length
- Often 150 to 500 words. Online obituaries can be longer; newspapers may charge by length.
- Must include
- Full name, age, city, date of death, and service details.
- Often includes
- Birthplace, education, career, family (survived by, preceded by), passions, and memorial donations.
- Before publishing
- Double-check every name, date, and spelling with family.
What to include in an obituary
- The announcement: full name (and nickname), age, city of residence, and date of death. How they died is optional. Many families use simple phrases like "peacefully" or "after a long illness."
- Life story: birthplace and parents, schooling, military service, career, marriage, and the communities they belonged to.
- Personality: a sentence or two about what they loved and what people will remember. This is what makes an obituary feel like them.
- Family: "survived by" (living relatives, usually closest first) and "preceded in death by" (relatives who died before them).
- Service details: type of service, date, time, and place, plus visitation, burial, or reception information.
- Donations or thanks (optional): a charity in lieu of flowers, and a thank-you to caregivers.
Obituary examples
Short obituary example
Margaret "Peggy" Ann Lane, 84, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Peggy was born in Ames, Iowa, and taught third grade for 30 years. She loved her garden, her church choir, and Sunday dinners with her family.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Tom; her children, Susan (Mark) and David (Amy); and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Paul.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, at First Lutheran Church in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Vancouver Public Library.
A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.
Medium-length obituary example
Robert "Bob" James Wilson of Spokane, Washington, died on September 28, 2026, at the age of 77, after a long illness. He was at home, with his wife and children by his side.
Bob was born on a wheat farm near Ritzville, Washington, the youngest of four. He graduated from Ritzville High School, served in the U.S. Army, and went on to earn a degree in civil engineering from Washington State University. He spent 35 years with the county roads department, where he was known for his careful work and his terrible puns.
Bob married Diane Carter in 1980, and together they raised three children in the house on Maple Street that he spent four decades improving. He coached Little League for twenty years, rarely missed a Cougars game, and could fix nearly anything with a roll of duct tape and some patience. His happiest days were spent fishing at Lake Roosevelt with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Diane; his children, Ryan (Kelly) Wilson, Laura (Mike) Thompson, and Ben Wilson; his grandchildren, Emma, Jack, Olivia, and Noah; and his sister, Carol Hansen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Jim and Don.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at St. Mark's Church, followed by a reception. The family is grateful to the hospice nurses who cared for Bob in his final months. Memorial donations may be made to the local hospice.
A sample we wrote by hand. The people in it are made up. Yours is written from your own stories.
Fill-in template
Copy this into a document and replace each [bracketed] part with your own words. Then read it aloud and cut anything that doesn't sound like you.
[Full name, including nickname in quotes], [age], of [city, state], passed away [peacefully / after a long illness / unexpectedly] on [date], [optional: at home / surrounded by family].
[He/She/They] was born on [date] in [city, state] to [parents' names]. [Schooling, military service, and early life in one or two sentences.]
[Career and accomplishments: where they worked, for how long, and what they were known for.]
[Marriage and family: who they married and when, and the family they raised.]
[Passions and personality: hobbies, faith, community involvement, and what people will remember most.]
[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse]; [children and their spouses]; [grandchildren]; [siblings]; and [others]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names].
A [funeral / memorial service / celebration of life] will be held at [time] on [day, date] at [place, city]. [Visitation, burial, or reception details.] [In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [organization].]
[Optional: a thank-you from the family to caregivers, hospice, or friends.]
Tips for writing and publishing an obituary
- Check facts with family. Names, spellings, dates, and the order of relatives matter a great deal to the people reading.
- Ask the funeral home. Many will help submit the obituary to newspapers and post it on their website.
- Ask the newspaper about cost and deadlines. Many charge by length or by line, and some allow a photo for an added fee. An online obituary can be longer.
- Consider leaving out a few details, such as the exact birth date or home address. Some families do this to reduce the risk of identity theft.
- Let it sound like them. A single sentence about their sense of humor or favorite saying can make an obituary unforgettable.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an obituary be?
Many are between 150 and 500 words. Newspaper obituaries are often shorter because many papers charge by length; online obituaries can be longer.
What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?
A death notice is a short, factual announcement of the death and service details. An obituary also tells the story of the person's life.
Who usually writes the obituary?
Usually a close family member, sometimes with help from the funeral home. It's fine for several family members to contribute.
Do I have to include the cause of death?
No. It's entirely up to the family. Many obituaries say "peacefully," "after a long illness," or "unexpectedly," or leave it out.
What is the order of "survived by"?
Commonly: spouse or partner, children (with their spouses), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents, siblings, then other relatives and close friends. Follow what feels right for your family.
Can Said It Well write an obituary?
Yes. Answer a few questions about their life, family, and service, and choose short (about 200 words), medium (about 350), or long (about 550). Reading the opening is free; the full obituary with unlimited revisions and a PDF is $24 one time.