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A step-by-step guide to writing an obituary. Includes what to include, how long it should be, where to publish it, and a free template you can use.
Writing an obituary is one of the first tasks many families face after a death — and one of the most emotionally difficult. You are trying to summarize a person's life in a few paragraphs while grieving. This guide walks you through exactly what to include, how to structure it, and where to publish it.
A complete obituary typically covers the following information. Not every element is required — include what is meaningful and relevant.
For a newspaper obituary, length matters because you are typically charged by the word or line. A standard obituary runs 150–300 words. A longer "tribute" obituary can run 500+ words but costs significantly more to publish in print.
For online obituaries (free on most platforms), length is not restricted. Many families write a longer tribute for online publication and a shorter version for the newspaper.
[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away [peacefully/unexpectedly/after a brief illness] on [Date] at [location].
[He/She/They] was born on [Date] in [City, State] to [Parents' Names].
[He/She/They] graduated from [School] and went on to [career/military service/major life chapter]. [He/She/They] worked as a [profession] for [X years] and was known for [notable quality or achievement].
[Full Name] was deeply devoted to [family/church/community]. [He/She/They] enjoyed [hobbies and interests]. [He/She/They] was a member of [organizations].
[He/She/They] is survived by [list surviving family]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [list predeceased family].
A [funeral service/memorial service/celebration of life] will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Location]. [Burial/Interment] will follow at [Cemetery Name].
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [Charity Name] at [address or website].
Local newspaper: The most traditional outlet. Most newspapers charge by the word or column inch. Expect to pay $100–$600 for a standard obituary. Contact the newspaper's obituary desk directly.
Legacy.com: The largest obituary website in the US, used by thousands of newspapers. If you publish in a newspaper, it often automatically appears on Legacy.com.
Funeral home website: Most funeral homes post obituaries on their website for free. They will help you write and publish it.
Social media: Many families post a tribute on the deceased's Facebook page or create a separate memorial page.
Find A Grave (findagrave.com): A free genealogical database where you can post a permanent memorial.
Write it before you are overwhelmed. Even a rough draft helps. Gather information from family members while everyone is together.
Include a specific, concrete detail or story — a favorite phrase the person used, something they built, a way they made people feel. A specific detail makes an obituary memorable.
Avoid clichés. "Passed away peacefully," "never met a stranger," "will be dearly missed" are all used in almost every obituary. Try to write something that sounds like this specific person.
Ask family for input. Other family members may know details you do not — military service, professional accomplishments, or early life stories.
Have someone else proofread it. Grief makes it easy to miss typos or omit information.
Newspaper obituaries typically cost $100–$600 depending on length and the newspaper's circulation. Large metropolitan newspapers charge more than local papers. Online-only obituaries are free on most platforms.
Usually a close family member — often a spouse, adult child, or sibling. The funeral home can also help write it or provide a template. Some families hire a professional writer for a longer tribute.
No. An obituary is not legally required. It is a tradition and a way to notify the community and preserve a record of the person's life. Some families choose not to publish one for privacy reasons.
A death notice is a brief announcement (typically under 100 words) that simply states the name, date of death, and service details. An obituary is a longer tribute that includes biographical information. Death notices cost less to publish.
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