Essential Elements
What to Include in an Obituary
An obituary serves two purposes: it announces a death and celebrates a life. While there is no single required format, most obituaries include the following elements. Use this list as a starting point and include what feels appropriate for your loved one.
- Full legal name — including maiden name, nicknames in quotes (e.g., Robert "Bobby" James Miller)
- Age at time of death
- Date and place of death — city and state; cause of death is optional and a personal family decision
- Date and place of birth
- Names of survivors — spouse, children (and their spouses), grandchildren, siblings, and other significant family members. Use "survived by" phrasing.
- Names of predeceased family — use "preceded in death by" phrasing
- Education — high school, college, degrees earned
- Career and occupation — employer, years of service, notable achievements
- Military service — branch, rank, years of service, honors (if applicable)
- Church or religious affiliation
- Hobbies and interests — what made them who they were
- Organizations and memberships — clubs, lodges, volunteer work
- Funeral or memorial service details — date, time, location, officiant
- Burial or interment location — cemetery name and city
- Memorial contributions — "In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to..."
- Funeral home handling arrangements — name and city
Worth Knowing
There's no required format for an obituary. Some families write a single paragraph; others write several pages. Do what feels right for your loved one.
Fill-In Template
Obituary Template
Use this fill-in-the-blank template as a starting point. Replace the bracketed items with your loved one's information. You can rearrange sections, add paragraphs, or remove anything that does not apply.
[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away [peacefully / suddenly / after a courageous battle with illness] on [Date of Death] at [location — hospital name, home, care facility].
Born on [Date of Birth] in [City, State], [he/she] was the [son/daughter] of [parents' names].
[First Name] graduated from [School] in [Year] and [earned a degree in / went on to work at]... [He/She] retired from [Employer] after [X] years of dedicated service.
[If veteran:] [He/She] proudly served in the [Branch of Military] from [Years], [achieving the rank of / serving in].
[First Name] was a member of [Church/Organization] and enjoyed [hobbies/interests]. [He/She] was known for [personal quality — generosity, humor, warmth, etc.].
[He/She] is survived by [his/her] [spouse, Name]; [children: Name (spouse), Name (spouse)]; [X] grandchildren; [siblings: Name (spouse)]; and [other survivors].
[He/She] was preceded in death by [names and relationships].
A [funeral service / memorial service / celebration of life] will be held at [Time] on [Date] at [Location, Address]. Burial will follow at [Cemetery Name, City, State].
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to [Organization, Address or URL].
Arrangements are entrusted to [Funeral Home Name, City].
Feel free to adapt this template to your family's style. Some families add poems, scripture, or personal stories that capture who the person truly was.
Helpful Advice
Writing Tips
Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming, especially during grief. These practical tips can help you get started and create something meaningful.
- Write in third person — "John loved fishing" not "I loved fishing." The obituary tells someone's story to the community.
- Start with the basics, then add personality — get the facts down first (name, dates, survivors), then layer in the stories and details that made them unique.
- Include what made them special — not just achievements, but character. Were they the family cook? Did they coach Little League for 20 years? Did they never miss a grandchild's recital? These details bring an obituary to life.
- It's okay to mention cause of death — or not — this is entirely your family's choice. "After a long illness" or "unexpectedly" are common ways to acknowledge it without being specific.
- Ask family members for input — siblings, children, and close friends often remember different stories. A quick phone call can uncover memories you might not have thought to include.
- Read it aloud before publishing — hearing the words helps catch awkward phrasing and ensures it sounds like the person you're honoring.
- Keep newspaper length in mind — if publishing in print, length affects cost. Write the full version first, then trim for print if needed.
- Consider two versions — a shorter death notice for the newspaper (name, age, service details only) and a longer, more personal tribute for online publication or the funeral program.
Take Your Time
Don't feel rushed. Most newspapers will work with you on timing. It's better to take an extra day and get it right than to publish something you wish you'd said differently.
Examples
Sample Obituaries
The following are fictional examples written in three different styles. Use them as inspiration for tone, structure, and level of detail.
Traditional / Formal
[Fictional example]
Henry J. Winslow, 82, of Maplewood, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Maplewood General Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Born on June 3, 1943, in Ridgemont, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Arthur and Helen (Novak) Winslow. Henry was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served from 1961 to 1963. He retired from Ridgemont Steel Works after 34 years of dedicated service as a millwright.
Henry was a faithful member of St. Andrew's Catholic Church and a life member of VFW Post 200 in Maplewood, where he served as Post Commander from 1985 to 1988. He enjoyed fishing, tending his vegetable garden, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers every Sunday.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Mazur) Winslow; three children, Michael Winslow (Karen) of Elkdale, Linda Carver (Thomas) of Millbrook, and James Winslow (Deborah) of Birchwood; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Edward Winslow of Clearfield. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marie Aldridge.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Maplewood. Burial with military honors will follow at Evergreen Hills Memorial Park, Maplewood, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VFW Post 200, Maplewood, PA. Arrangements are entrusted to Harmon & Sons Funeral Home, Maplewood.
Personal / Celebration of Life
[Fictional example]
Eleanor "Ellie" Rose Ashford, 74, of Willowbrook, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 22, 2026, after a life filled with love, laughter, and the best chocolate chip cookies anyone ever tasted.
Ellie was born on March 15, 1951, in Cedarville, Ohio, to the late William and Ruth (Henderson) Campbell. She graduated from Cedarville High School in 1969 and earned her teaching degree from Willowbrook State University in 1973. For 31 years, she taught second grade at Brookside Elementary, where generations of children learned to love reading because Mrs. Ashford made it magical.
After retiring, Ellie volunteered three days a week at the Willowbrook Public Library and could often be found in her backyard rose garden, which the neighbors all agreed was the most beautiful on the street. She baked cookies for every new family on the block, remembered every birthday, and never let anyone leave her house hungry.
She is survived by her two children, David Ashford (Jennifer) of Lakeview and Susan Mercer (Mark) of Springdale; five grandchildren, Emily, Grace, Jack, Owen, and Sophie; and a sister, Carol Webber (Donald) of Cedarville. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Richard "Dick" Ashford, in 2019.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2026, at First Community Church, Willowbrook. In keeping with Ellie's wishes, cremation has taken place and her urn will be placed in the Garden of Remembrance at Willowbrook Memorial Park, Willowbrook, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Willowbrook Public Library Foundation.
Brief / Death Notice
[Fictional example]
Samuel R. Dalton, 68, of Haverford, Pennsylvania, passed away on March 1, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Janet Dalton; two sons, Patrick and Kevin; and four grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Haverford Memorial Park, Haverford, Pennsylvania. Arrangements by Goodwin Funeral Home, Haverford.
These are fictional examples for illustration only. All names, places, and details are invented. Every obituary should reflect the unique life it honors.
Publication Options
Where to Publish an Obituary
Once you have written the obituary, you will need to decide where to publish it. Most families use a combination of these options to reach different audiences.
- Local newspapers — Still the traditional choice. Most papers have an obituary desk — call or email. Many have online submission forms. The obituary typically appears in print and on the newspaper's website.
- Online obituary sites — Legacy.com, Tribute Archive, and other sites allow free or paid obituary posting with online guestbooks where friends and family can share memories and condolences.
- Funeral home website — Most funeral homes post obituaries for the families they serve at no extra charge. This is often one of the first places people look.
- Life Remembered obituaries — Life Remembered publishes obituaries for families at our memorial parks across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, South Carolina, and North Carolina. View existing obituaries on our site.
- Social media — Many families also share a tribute on Facebook or CaringBridge. This is informal but reaches a wide audience quickly and allows friends to share memories in the comments.
- Church or organization newsletters — If the person was active in a church, lodge, or club, let them know. They often include tributes in bulletins or newsletters and can help spread the word to the community.
View Obituaries on Life Remembered
Read and share memories of those who rest at Life Remembered memorial parks.
Publishing Costs
How Much Does It Cost to Publish an Obituary?
The cost of publishing an obituary varies widely depending on where and how you choose to publish. Here is a general overview of what to expect.
- Newspaper obituaries: Typically charged per line or per word. Costs vary widely — $100 to $500+ for a standard obituary in a metro paper, less in smaller community papers. Photos usually cost extra ($25-75). Sunday editions cost more than weekday editions.
- Online-only obituaries: Many sites offer free basic listings with paid upgrades for features like photo galleries, video tributes, longer durations, and enhanced guestbooks.
- Funeral home websites: Usually included at no charge for families they serve as part of the overall arrangement.
- Life Remembered: Published at no charge for families at our memorial parks.
Cost-Saving Tip
To save on newspaper costs, consider a shorter death notice in print (name, age, service details only) and a longer, more personal tribute online where length isn't an issue.
Key Takeaways
- Start with the essential facts (name, age, dates, survivors) then add personality and stories that capture who they truly were.
- Use the template as a starting point — adapt it to fit your loved one's unique life. There is no single correct format.
- Ask family members for their favorite memories and stories to include. Different people remember different things, and the best obituaries draw from many voices.
- Consider two versions: a shorter notice for the newspaper and a longer tribute for online publication or the funeral program.
- Read the obituary aloud before publishing to catch awkward phrasing and make sure it sounds like the person you are honoring.
- There's no wrong way to write an obituary — the goal is to honor the person you loved in a way that feels true to who they were.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
There's no set length. Newspaper obituaries are typically 200-400 words due to cost. Online obituaries can be any length. Write what feels right, then trim for print if needed.
No. Including the cause of death is entirely optional and a personal family decision. Common alternatives include "after a long illness," "unexpectedly," or simply stating the date of death without explanation.
Usually a close family member — the surviving spouse, an adult child, or a sibling. Some families ask the funeral director for help. Others hire a professional obituary writer (typically $200-500).
Most families publish the obituary 1-3 days after death, before the funeral service. But there's no deadline — some families publish a brief death notice immediately and follow up with a longer tribute later.
For safety reasons, many families choose NOT to include the home address. Published obituaries can alert burglars that a home may be empty. City and state are sufficient.
Yes. Many families include a favorite Bible verse, poem, song lyric, or personal quote. Common choices include Psalm 23, "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep," and "Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts."
Call the newspaper's obituary department or visit their website. Most papers have an online submission form. You'll need to provide the text, a photo (optional), and payment information. The paper will confirm the publication date.
Life Remembered publishes obituaries for families at our 26 memorial parks. Contact us at (800) 446-6696 or visit our obituaries page to view existing obituaries.