After the death of a loved one, family members are frequently overwhelmed by the number of decisions that must be made in the middle of their grief. Drafting an obituary is one of the things that must be addressed. Preparing to write an obituary is a sobering task that cannot be completed effectively until the person has died. It is a way to pay tribute to someone while also providing a record of their life for loved ones and the general public.

In this article, we’ll go over some things you should know before writing an obituary, such as how to get started, who is grieving, how much detail should be shared about someone’s life or death, how it will appear, and so on. We’ve also included obituary samples to use as inspiration when writing obituaries for your loved ones.

What is an Obituary?

An obituary is a written statement that someone has passed away. This announcement typically includes at least one photo of the subject and highlights their accomplishments and personality, in addition to the birth and death dates. If there will be public services, include that information in the obituary.

Obituaries were traditionally published in newspapers as public notices. Obituary announcements are now available on digital news sites. Alternatively, you may wish to have the obituary published through a funeral home or memorial website.

How to Write an Obituary

Where do you begin writing an obituary for someone who meant a lot to you? Finding the appropriate words on a blank page can take time and effort.

Fortunately, our digital age provides you with instant access to high-quality resources. The most straightforward way is to find an obituary format that describes the most vital details to include in this tribute. Also, go through previous obituaries to obtain some more ideas.

If you’re having problems getting started, follow the obituary form below and begin with the portion that is the easiest. Then, without judging yourself, write until you have a first draft. You can then go back and arrange and edit.

Basic Information Collection

You will need to gather and prepare some basic information and details. In most cases, you must know the deceased’s full name. This could include:

• The first name
• Maiden name or middle name (s)
• The last name
• The date of death and birth are usually included in an obituary. There are some instances where the birthday is not mentioned (Eg. Birth date and birthplace not known, family members wish not to disclose, etc.).

You may also need to include information about the funeral program. So, you can specify whether or not there will be no funeral services, as well as the date and location. All of this is standard fill information that would be included in any standard obituary.

Passing/Death Information

Following that, you must state unequivocally that the person has died. After all, this is what an obituary is all about.

You can choose whether to reveal or withhold specific information about the death here. This can include the date, location, age, cause of death, etc. However, anyone writing an obituary should remember that these details are not required in any way.

You can communicate the person’s death in a variety of ways. Here are some phrases that can be used in a variety of situations:

• • ‘died,’ 
  • ‘left for heavenly abode,’ 
  • ‘left this world,’ 
  • ‘completed his/her journey,’
  •  ‘run the race,” met an untimely demise,’ and so on.

Biographical Data and Life Events

While obituaries are frequently heartbreaking announcements, they can also be meaningful tributes. A comprehensive biography of the deceased person’s life is an excellent way to accomplish this.

Anything that brings back fond memories of the deceased can be placed here. Here are a few examples of obituary biographical information:

• Childhood and early life.
• Qualifications in education
• Job title, occupation(s), and occupation(s) (s).
• Retirement and marriage
• Small anecdotes, memorable moments, and significant life events
• Awards for the community, social, or military service, etc.
• Things that moved or delighted the deceased while they were alive.

As you might expect, this is an illimitable list that can grow based on how you want to remember and celebrate the person’s life. However, you are not required to include these details in the obituary.

Funeral and Memorial Service Information

Finally, whether or not there will be a funeral program is appropriate to mention. If the deceased or their family requested it, you can use the obituary to announce that there will be no funeral service.

If a funeral program exists, you can choose which important details to include. Depending on the circumstances, you can include the following funeral information:

• The funeral home (if specific location must be informed to attendees).
• Times of funeral services
• Memorial Service Schedule
• Website for the Memorial (if further details to be announced)
• If necessary, provide additional information about the planned funeral.

That’s all there is to it! This simple yet comprehensive set of steps can be used as a starting point for creating your own obituary. It may be helpful to go over a few things to avoid in order to ensure that you get the words right.

Give General Biographical Details

Include some biographical information, such as their birth date, upbringing, schooling, marital status, accomplishments, and job history. Use concise and precise language. Try to pack as much information as possible into as few words as feasible.

Information about Family Members and Relatives

Jane Doe was born in New York on April 20, 1943, to Bob and Jane (Smith) Doe. He earned his law degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975 and practiced commercial law in Houston for 35 years. He married Grace Ann Lewis on July 30, 1979. They brought up two sons, Nick and Joel, as well as two daughters, Alice and Lisa.

While you do not need to name every nephew and cousin, it is necessary to provide a basic summary of the family members who died before the loved one as well as the remaining family. Close relatives might be named by name, while other relatives can be referred to more broadly.

If you want to keep it short and simple, only mention the deceased’s family members. (For instance, ‘He is now survived by his wonderful wife and three children.’)

You can include the names of family members who preceded or succeeded the deceased in life for a longer and more detailed obituary. You can also mention the surviving spouse and children here. Obituaries frequently include information about both immediate and extended family members.

Although not exhaustive, here are some examples of family ties and relationships that may be mentioned in obituaries.

• Names of immediate family members, including spouses and children.
• Stepchildren or adopted children
• Names of parents and grandchildren
• Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren (If the family size is exceptionally large).

Great grandparents, paternal and maternal grandparents, and so on (If of notable lineage)

Many of these family ties and relationships, as you can see, aren’t entirely necessary. However, if you wish, you may mention the deceased’s notable relationships. ‘…Mr. A was the great-grandson of author and patriot Mr. B (Notable personality),’ for example.

Make it Personal

It is critical to capture the spirit of the loved one who has died when writing an obituary. Write a paragraph that describes not only what your loved one did, but also who he or she was. Consider hobbies, passions, and personal characteristics. Keep in mind that newspapers will charge you by the line, word, or inch (depending on the publication), so don’t write more than you can afford. A brief, factual obituary may be all that is required. However, if you want to write a unique, personalized obituary, include information like this:

John had a strong desire to paint. He also enjoyed bird watching, and he combined his two passions to create extraordinary art. His paintings of various birds were highly regarded not only by friends and family, but also by those who frequented the coffee shops where his works were displayed. He was also a big music fan and a Beatles memorabilia collector. He was well-known for his quick wit, infectious smile, and kind and compassionate nature.

Obituary and Format

Sample for a Death Announcement

Look through any collection of obituaries, and you’ll likely come across the following details:

• Total Name
• Birth Date
• Death Age Reason for Death (if desired)
• Career and education background
• Relationships between individuals (spouses, children, etc.)
• Hobbies
• Family tree with those still alive
• The names of your deceased relatives
• Facts about the Happening
• Adding touches of your own personality to the obituary can help readers remember the deceased as more than a name and date.

Great Obituary Examples

Example 1:

Sarah Jones, a musician and former principal of a primary school, kept her zest for life even after she passed away. Sarah, age 79, lost her valiant battle with cancer on July 6, 2020. She was surrounded by loving family and friends who will carry on her legacy by making the most of their own lives.

Sarah graduated with a BA from the State University of New York. After ten years in the classroom, she decided to earn her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. Sarah’s pride was in her school and students, and she shared her passion for learning with thousands of children over the years.

Sarah found great happiness in the little things in life. She was happiest when she could relax with friends over a bottle of wine. Sarah would frequently go hiking during her school breaks, and she especially enjoyed the springtime when the wildflowers were in bloom. Her ability to find joy in the simplest of tasks was remarkable. Everyone she met caught happy vibes from her cheerful disposition. Sarah is survived by her husband, Frank; a son, Calvin; a sister, Jenny; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Example 2: 

Mr. Richard “Rick” Lopez, 74, passed away on July 6, 2020, in Miami, Florida, where he had lived all his life. In recent years, he has fought through some serious health issues, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. Rick overcame his suffering and persevered to the end, earning the title of hero.

In his youth, Rick announced that he intended to live the life of a “beach bum” in adulthood. In order to realize this goal, he opened a paddleboard rental business and began selling custom boards to the local surf crowd.

Rick fell in love with Mariana while waiting tables to fund the launch of his business. It was instantaneous attraction, and her unwavering enthusiasm for the company’s success helped it flourish. They had one child together, and his name is Mateo.

On July 15, 2020, there will be a beachside memorial for Rick. The wake is open from 6 to 9 pm, and there will be a brief ash scattering ceremony at sundown.

Example 3:

Aaron Joseph Purmort, age 35

The villainous criminal named Cancer, who has plagued our society for far too long, finally met his end on November 25 after years of fighting crime and a radioactive spider bite caused his death.

Known to the public as Spider-Man, he will be honored for his long history of service to the city as a hero.

His loved ones only knew him as a gentle Art Director who designed websites, t-shirts, and concert posters and who always said the right thing (even if it was wildly inappropriate). Aaron loved to tell the same long, hilarious stories over and over again.

He was a member of the high school band The Asparagus Children, which became popular in the upscale northern suburbs during his time there. After finishing up at the College of Visual Arts (another institution that met an untimely end not too long ago), he worked at a few different agencies in the Minneapolis area before landing his current position as Interactive Associate Creative Director at Colle + McVoy. Aaron was the life of the party, a pop-culture encyclopedia, and a huge comic book fan.

His children, Patricia, Autumn, and Aly Purmort, Erika Kuhlmeyer, and Nicole Kuhlmeyer, as well as his parents, Bill and Kim Kuhlmeyer, his first wife Gwen Stefani, and his current wife Nora and their son Ralph, will carry on without him.

Bottom Line

You can use any of the steps and formats presented here as a free obituary template that can be further customized. An obituary program isn’t a legal document, nor is it a eulogy. A good obituary combines honesty, decency, and, occasionally, a little levity to inform and announce the death of a loved one. Neither more nor less!