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How to write an obituary: a formula, templates and examples
A seven-part formula, six fill-in-the-blank templates and the real cost of publishing, plus a fillable PDF kit to gather the facts with your family.
Reviewed by the Linkora editorial teamUpdated October 20268 cited sources9 min read
- Part formula
- 7
- Part formula
- Templates
- 6
- Templates
- Page PDF
- 13
- Page PDF
Start here
Obituary or death notice: which are you writing?
The word “obituary” covers two different things. Knowing which one you're writing tells you who writes it, who pays, and how much room you have.
| News obituary | Paid death notice | |
|---|---|---|
| Who writes it | Newspaper staff [6] | The family or the funeral home [6] |
| Who pays | No one: it's a newsroom decision | The family, usually by the line or column inch [4],[5] |
| Will it run? | Only if the paper chooses to cover it | Yes, once it's placed and paid for |
| Wording | AP style: “died” [7] | Your family's choice of words |
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A 13-page fillable PDF: fact-gathering and family worksheets, a service-details page, a word-budget and price-quote planner, print-safe templates and a proofreading checklist.
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Structure
The seven-part obituary formula
1 · Announcement
Name, age, city, and that they died
“Ruth Ann (Ruthie) Morales, 84, of Dayton, died March 3 at home.”2 · Origin
Where they came from, without the full birth date
“Born in 1941 to Luis and Elena…” Keep the full birth date and maiden names out of the public version [2].3 · Life arc
Education, work and service in two or three sentences
Keep it short. The next part matters more.4 · The story
One specific detail only they could have lived
NFDA suggests telling how their accomplishments touched other people, not just listing them [1].5 · Family
Survived by and preceded in death by
First names and cities. Never street addresses [2].6 · Service
Date, time and place, or “private”
Ask someone to stay at the house during the service [2].7 · Requests
Flowers or donations, and where to read more
Name the charity, and end with a link to the full version online.
Fill in the blanks
Six obituary templates
General Template
A versatile template suitable for any loved one
[First Name] built a career in [profession/industry], where [he/she/they] was known for [professional accomplishment or reputation]. Outside of work, [he/she/they] was known for [characteristic traits — e.g., a warm smile, a generous spirit, a quick wit that could light up any room].
[He/She/They] enjoyed [hobbies and interests — e.g., tending the garden, weekend fishing trips, reading mystery novels, and cheering on the home team]. [First Name] was also deeply involved in [community or faith activities — e.g., volunteering at the local food bank, serving as a deacon at First Baptist Church].
[First Name] is survived by [his/her/their] [spouse/partner], [Spouse Name]; [children], [Children Names]; [siblings], [Sibling Names]; and [number] grandchildren. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names and relationships].
A [funeral service/celebration of life/memorial service] will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Place]. The family will receive visitors on [Visitation Date] from [Time] to [Time]. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to [Charity Name and website].
[Optional: Include a favorite quote, scripture, or personal message — e.g., "As [First Name] always said, 'Never leave the house without telling someone you love them.'"]
How to use this template
Replace each [bracketed placeholder] with your own information. Where you see options separated by slashes (e.g., he/she/they), choose the one that applies. Delete any sections that are not relevant, and add details that feel important to your family.
Privacy: these templates use a birth year and hometown instead of a full birth date and birthplace, and they leave out maiden names and home addresses. AARP warns that identity thieves look for those details in obituaries.
Word budgets
How long should an obituary be?
There's no official length. What limits you is the format, and in print, the price. These are rules of thumb, not requirements:
Prices
What it costs to publish an obituary
Prices vary widely by paper. Most charge by the line or the column inch [4],[5], and photos often raise the price [4]. These are real published examples, not averages:
- New York Times, first four lines (2014) [4]$263
- Washington Post, online-only notice [5]$475
- Washington Post, 4-inch print notice [5]$725
- Half-column notice, Bay Area paper (2014) [4]~$1,000
Prices change. Always ask the paper for a written quote and a proof before you approve.
Before you publish
Protect the family: privacy and scam safety
Criminals gather information about people who have died from obituaries [3]. A few small changes make a notice much safer without making it less personal.
| Leave out | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Full date of birth [2] | Birth year, or just the age |
| Place of birth [2] | The city where they grew up or lived |
| Middle name, maiden name, mother's maiden name [2] | The name everyone knew them by, with a nickname in quotes |
| Home address [2] | City only |
| Signals that the house will be empty [2] | Service details, plus someone staying at the house |
Wording
Style notes newspapers use
- “Died” or “passed away”? AP style avoids euphemisms like “passed away” outside a direct quote [7], and NFDA's guidance for journalists says to use “died” [8]. In a family notice, either is fine. Choose the words your family is comfortable with.
- Third person. “She taught third grade for 31 years,” not “Mom taught.” It's newspaper convention, and it reads well for people who knew them in different ways.
- Names. Use the same form every time. Give a nickname once, in quotes, after the first name.
- Numbers. Ages as numerals: “84,” not “eighty-four.”
- Stories over lists. One specific detail, like the pie they brought to every new neighbor, does more than five adjectives [1].
- Humor is welcome if it was part of who they were.
Proofreading
Before you submit: a checklist
- Every name spelled correctly, and checked with each branch of the family
- Every date and age reconciled
- Full birth date, birthplace, maiden names and home address removed from the public version
- Service times confirmed with the funeral home
- The paper's deadline, price quote and photo specifications confirmed
- Proof received from the paper and read twice, by two people
- Online version posted and the link tested
FAQ
Questions about writing an obituary
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Read all FAQs or ask us directly.
Important Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Last reviewed: October 7, 2026
Sources
Where these facts come from
- [1]Writing an Obituary/Death Notice · National Funeral Directors Association (Remembering A Life)
- [2]Grieving Loved Ones Targeted in Obituary Scams · AARP
- [3]Identity Theft: Deceased Victims · Michigan Department of Attorney General
- [4]Obituaries: A Time-Honored, Expensive Tradition · CBS San Francisco (KPIX), 2014
- [5]Rates for Paid Death Notices · The Washington Post
- [6]By Law, What Is Required and Forbidden in an Obituary? · CBS Philadelphia (KYW), 2015
- [7]A million ways to die online, at least in the language of obits · Duke Reporters' Lab, 2015
- [8]Media Center: statistics and guidance for journalists · National Funeral Directors Association
Reviewed by the Linkora editorial team against the sources above. Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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