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How To Write An Obituary Template

By Emily Hutton
  • Last Updated: Jun 14, 2023

The passing of a loved one is never an easy experience, and writing an obituary can be a challenging task for those left behind. An obituary is a tribute to the deceased, providing a glimpse into their life and achievements and announcing their passing to the community. 

Crafting an obituary can seem overwhelming, but having a template to follow can make the process more manageable. Whether you’re a family member or a close friend of the deceased, this guide will help you create a thoughtful and simple obituary template that captures the essence of the person you loved and lost.

Steps For Writing A Sample Obituary Template

How you write an obituary template may vary depending on your relationship with the family. For instance, an obituary for a loved one may feel personal, whereas one by a funeral home may be more factual and informative. 

Whatever the case, writing an obituary template may look something like this.

writing

Basic Information

Include details like the deceased’s:

  • Name
  • Date and place of birth
  • Date and place of death

Information About The Death

Some obituaries may include the manner of death, whereas others may not disclose it for personal or privacy reasons. Should you decide to include information about the person’s death, you can use the following euphemisms to keep the tone respectful:

  • Passed away
  • Completed their journey on earth
  • Met an untimely demise
  • Lost their battle
  • Left this earth

You can learn a lot about a person’s cause of death through death records.

Biographical Information

A blank obituary template shouldn’t be robotic – it should be a meaningful tribute. When writing a fill-in-the-blank obituary template, leave space for the following information:

  • Early life and childhood
  • Education
  • Occupation
  • Marriage
  • Lifetime achievements
  • Charitable activities

Information About Family Members

Most obituaries contain basic information about the deceased’s immediate family members, but others may also name the following relatives:

  • Step or adopted children
  • Parents and grandparents
  • Great or great-great-grandchildren

In cases where divorcees are on amicable terms or want to contact a former spouse for more information, you can search Ancestry divorce records.

Funeral Information & Memorial Service

If there is a funeral service for the deceased, you can mention these details:

  • Name and location of the funeral home
  • Date and time of memorial
  • Order of memorial service
  • Memorial website and contact details of the funeral home

Alternatively, you can use an obituary to announce the lack of a funeral service if the deceased wished not to have one.

memorial

Free Printable Obituary Templates

Obituary templates can vary in style and content depending on the preferences of the person or family writing them and the guidelines provided by the newspaper or publication in which they will be published. Here are a few free, edible obituary templates you can use.

If you want inspiration from an existing obituary, use our guide to learn how to find an obituary for a specific person.

Simple Obituary Template

[Name], [age], passed away on [date] at [location]. [Name] was born in [birthplace] on [birthdate] to [parents’ names]. [Name] is survived by [list of surviving family members]. 

A [funeral/memorial service] will be held on [date] at [location]. [Optional: Instead of flowers or gift baskets, we encourage donations to a charity of your choice in [Name]’s memory.]

Funeral Program Obituary Template

[Funeral home name] announces the passing of [Name], [age], who passed away on [date] at [location]. [Name] was born in [birthplace] on [birthdate] to [parents’ names]. [Name] is survived by [list of surviving family members]. A [funeral/memorial service] will be held on [date] at [location]. 

[Funeral home name] is honored to assist the family during this difficult time. For more information, please contact [Funeral home name] at [Funeral home phone number/email] or visit [Funeral home website].

Newspaper Obituary Template

[Name], [age], passed away on [date] at [location]. [Name] was born in [birthplace] on [birthdate] to [parents’ names]. [Name] is survived by [list of surviving family members].

[Name] graduated from [educational institution] in [year] and went on to have a successful career in [career field]. [Name] was known for [list of accomplishments, awards, and contributions].

[Name] was a beloved community member and will be deeply missed by [list of friends, family, and other loved ones]. The [funeral/memorial service] is open to the public and will occur on [date] at [location]. Donating to [Name’s] charity of choice will be much appreciated by the family. 

You may send condolences to [mailing address or online memorial page].

Obituary Template For A Mother Or Father

[Name], [age], passed away on [date] at [location]. [Name] was born in [birthplace] on [birthdate] to [parents’ names]. [Name] is survived by [spouse’s name], [list of children and their spouses/partners], and [number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren].

[Name] was a devoted [mother/father] who dedicated [his/her] life to raising [his/her] family. [Name] enjoyed [list of hobbies or interests] and was known for [list of personality traits]. [Name] will be deeply missed by [list of friends, family, and other loved ones].

If you would like to pay your respects, the [funeral/memorial service] is on [date] at [location]. The family requests that attendees donate to [charity] to honor [Name’s] dedication to their cause.

Obituary Template For Religious Community Members

[Name], [age], passed away on [date] at [location]. [Name] was born in [birthplace] on [birthdate] to [parents’ names]. [Name] is survived by [list of surviving family members].

[Name] was a devout [religious denomination or faith], and [their] faith was an essential part of [their] life. [Name] [list of religious activities or accomplishments, if applicable].

[Name]’s family takes comfort in the knowledge that [Name] is now in the loving arms of [God/Allah/Buddha, etc.]. A [funeral/memorial service] will be held on [date] at [location], which will include [religious rituals or traditions].

funeral

The Bottom Line

Writing an obituary can be difficult and emotional, but it is a critical way to honor and celebrate the life of a loved one. By following these steps for creating a free, editable obituary template, you can ensure that you capture the essential information and convey the personality and spirit of the person who has passed away. 

Whether you are writing an obituary template for free for a funeral home, a newspaper, or a personal memorial, these guidelines can help you create a meaningful tribute that honors the memory of the person you are writing about.

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