Writing an Obituary (2024)

FAQs

What is the proper way to write an obituary? ›

An obituary tends to have three distinct parts: the beginning (name, age, date of death, cause of death [if possible to include], work, education); the middle (anecdotes that celebrate the person's life); and the end (so-and-so is survived by, which Chang calls “a very efficient way of saying who's grieving.”)

In most cases, obituaries do not include the names or nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws unless they were close to the deceased. Grandchildren are sometimes listed but often numbered instead (…he leaves behind 5 grandchildren).

A Simple Short Obituary Example Template

[Full name], [age], of [where they lived], passed away on [date of death] from [cause of death]. Preceded in death by [list of predeceased family members], and survived by [list of surviving family members].

You may choose to list grandchildren and great grandchildren individually by name, or simply include the number of each. Typically siblings and their spouses names are also included. Survivors are generally listed first, followed by any preceded in death names you would like to include.

[Full Name], aged [age of the deceased], passed away peacefully on [date of death], at [location of death]. He/she was born on [date of birth], in [birthplace], to [names of parents]. He/she was a proud resident of [city of residence] and was a 1975 graduate of Holy Cross High School.

Obituaries should not be written in the first person. This means you should not use "I" language. Remember that an obituary is not a personal tribute, like a sympathy card or condolence letter. You should also exclude personal addresses and phone numbers.

How do you write a quick obituary? ›

Start with the basics: Begin by writing down the deceased person's name, age, and date of birth and death. Also, include information about where they lived, worked, and their family members. Write a brief biography: Write a short biography that highlights the person's accomplishments, passions, hobbies, and interests.

Example eulogy:

My dad was my hero. No matter how busy things got, he always made time for the people he cared about, and showed us that family always comes first – no matter what. Everyone who knew him knew how proud he was of the people he loved, of his dog, Buddy, and of his car… of course.

The order should go as followed: spouse, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents, and siblings. It should be noted that nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws are typically unmentioned unless they were especially close to the deceased.

If you like to be technical, names should be listed as follows: first name, spouse's first name in parenthesis, then surname (ex: Tom (Sarah) Johnson). If the spouse or partner's surname is different, include their surname in the parenthesis along with their first name (ex: Tom (Sarah Williams) Johnson).

If you like to be technical, names should be listed as follows: first name, spouse's first name in parenthesis, then surname (ex: Tom (Sarah) Johnson). If the spouse or partner's surname is different, include their surname in the parenthesis along with their first name (ex: Tom (Sarah Williams) Johnson).

Write in the present tense.

An obituary will always convey a somber and impactful message to its readers. As a form of connection and sympathy toward your audience, always write as if you were communicating the news yourself, emphasizing the present tense.