Obituary Examples: 15 Samples for a Mom, Dad, Grandparent and More (2026)
These obituary examples are here to help you write one for someone you love: a mother, a father, a grandparent, a husband or wife, a brother or sister, or a friend. Each sample is short enough to model line by line, and each comes with a note on what makes it work.
Quick answer
A good obituary gives the facts (full name, age, hometown, date of death), a few lines about the person’s life, the people they loved, the service details, and any request, like donations in lieu of flowers. What makes it good rather than just correct is one true detail that sounds exactly like them: the dish they always brought, the thing they always said, the chair nobody else sat in.
If you only have ten minutes, scroll to the fill-in template and the opening lines below it.
About these examples
I’m Arthur Cho, founder of Memoirji, a tool that interviews people about their lives and writes up what they say. More than 250 people have finished a memoir with it, so I read a lot of life stories, and an obituary is the shortest life story most families ever write.
Every example on this page is invented. The names, towns and details are made up, so you can borrow the shapes freely. Where a date, place or charity would go, I’ve left a placeholder like [DATE] or [PLACE] so you can see exactly what to fill in.
What to include in an obituary
- Opening: full name (and nickname), age, hometown, date of death.
- Life in a few lines: where they grew up, work, military service, a move that mattered.
- Family: spouse or partner, children, grandchildren, siblings. Optional: people who died before them (“preceded in death by”).
- What they loved: faith, hobbies, causes, places, habits.
- Service details: type of service, place, and how to get details.
- Request: donations in lieu of flowers, or a small ask in their spirit.
15 obituary examples
1. Obituary for a mother
Linda Marie Kowalczyk, 81, of Toledo, Ohio, died peacefully on [DATE], with her three children beside her. Born in Detroit and raised above her parents’ bakery, she could still braid a loaf of challah faster than anyone in the family. She married Ed Kowalczyk in 1964 and spent 30 years as the school secretary at St. Clement’s, where she knew every child’s name and most of their excuses. She was a fierce euchre player, a faithful letter writer and the person everyone called first. She is survived by her children, Karen, Paul and Michelle; seven grandchildren; and her brother Richard. She was preceded in death by Ed, her husband of 49 years. A funeral Mass will be held at [PLACE] on [DATE]. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you write someone a letter.
Why it works: the bakery and the school secretary give her a whole life in two sentences, and the closing request sounds like her.
2. Obituary for a father
James “Jim” Whitaker, 78, of Asheville, North Carolina, died on [DATE] after a short illness. He grew up on a tobacco farm in Madison County, joined the Army at 18, and came home to spend 38 years as a lineman for the power company, climbing poles in ice storms so the rest of us had heat. He married Donna Reese in 1968. Jim believed every problem could be solved with duct tape, a level and a pot of coffee, and he was usually right. He is survived by Donna; his sons, Mark and Brian; his daughter, Amy; and six grandchildren who all know how to change a tire because he made sure of it. A memorial service will be held at [PLACE]. Donations may be made to [CHARITY].
Why it works: the work is specific (ice storms, poles), and the grandchildren line turns a habit into love without saying the word.
3. Obituary for a grandmother
Rosa Elena Martinez, 92, of San Antonio, Texas, died on [DATE], surrounded by family and, she would want us to say, far too many tamales. She came from Monterrey in 1956 with her husband, Ernesto, and two suitcases, and built a life that now spans four generations. She worked at a dry cleaner for 25 years and ran her household like a general. Her Sunday table had room for anyone who showed up. She is survived by her five children, 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, who will argue for years about whose turn it is to make the Christmas tamales. She was preceded in death by Ernesto. A rosary will be prayed at [PLACE] on [DATE], followed by a funeral Mass.
Why it works: four generations, one move, one table. The tamales open and close it.
4. Obituary for a grandfather
Harold Eugene “Gene” Lindqvist, 88, of Duluth, Minnesota, died on [DATE]. He was born in a farmhouse near Two Harbors, served in the U.S. Navy, and spent 35 years at the paper mill. He married Betty Olson in 1957, and they were married 61 years. Gene was happiest in a fishing boat on Lake Superior at 5 a.m., and he took every grandchild out at least once, whether they wanted to go or not. He could not sing, and he sang anyway. He is survived by his children, Karen and Steve; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Betty. Services will be held at [PLACE].
Why it works: “He could not sing, and he sang anyway” says more about him than a list of virtues would.
5. Obituary for a husband
David Allen Brooks, 74, of Sacramento, California, died at home on [DATE]. David and I met at a bus stop in 1972 when he lent me his umbrella and then walked me home in the rain without one. He spent 33 years as a civil engineer for the state, designing bridges he would point out on every road trip. He loved jazz records, bad puns and our dog, in roughly that order. He is survived by me, his wife of 51 years, Susan; our daughters, Rachel and Emily; four grandchildren; and his brother Tom. We will celebrate his life at [PLACE] on [DATE]. Wear something comfortable. He always did.
Why it works: writing in the first person (“David and I met”) is allowed, and from a spouse it can be the most moving choice.
6. Obituary for a wife
Patricia Ann “Pat” O’Neill, 76, of Worcester, Massachusetts, died on [DATE] after a long illness she faced with more grace than any of us. She was a pediatric nurse for 40 years and, by her count, held more than a thousand newborns. She married Kevin O’Neill in 1971 and kept him in line for 55 years. Pat gardened, quilted and never once let a birthday in the family go by without a card that arrived on the day. She is survived by Kevin; her sons, Brendan and Sean; five grandchildren; and her sisters, Mary and Eileen. A funeral Mass will be held at [PLACE] on [DATE]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [HOSPICE].
Why it works: “by her count” keeps it in her voice, and the birthday cards are the kind of detail people remember.
7. Short obituary example (about 60 words)
Margaret “Peggy” Doyle, 84, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on [DATE]. A retired school nurse, she raised four children, never missed a grandchild’s game, and made the best soda bread on her street. She is survived by her children, nine grandchildren and her sister Anne. A funeral Mass will be held at [PLACE] on [DATE].
Why it works: when the newspaper charges by the line, three facts and one detail are enough.
8. Long obituary example (a life story, about 350 words)
Walter Thomas Greene, 86, of Columbus, Ohio, died on [DATE], at home, in the chair by the window where he did the crossword every morning for 40 years.
Walt was born in a small house in Chillicothe, the fourth of six children of Ruth and Clarence Greene. He delivered newspapers at nine, worked summers at his uncle’s hardware store, and after two years in the Army in Germany became the first in his family to finish college, at Ohio State.
He met Dorothy “Dot” Harper at a church picnic in 1961. He proposed three weeks later and liked to say it was the slowest decision he ever made. They were married for 58 years.
Walt taught high school chemistry for 34 years. Former students still stop the family in the grocery store to tell them about the day Mr. Greene set his eyebrows on fire on purpose to make a point about safety goggles. He coached the science team, ran the school’s blood drive for two decades and never once took a sick day he didn’t need.
At home he was the fixer, the reader and the one who drove anyone anywhere. He built a treehouse that outlasted two roofs. He read every book his grandchildren recommended and sent them a letter about each one. In retirement he volunteered at the food pantry every Tuesday, learned to bake bread badly and then well, and walked two miles a day until this summer.
He is survived by his children, Susan (Mark) Bell, David (Lori) Greene and Kathy Greene; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and his sister, Mary Ellen. He was preceded in death by Dot, his parents and four of his siblings.
Visitation will be held at [PLACE] on [DATE], with a funeral service the following morning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [FOOD PANTRY]. Or do what Walt would have done: finish a crossword, and then call someone you haven’t called in a while.
Why it works: it follows his life in order, gives each chapter one story, and ends with something the reader can do.
9. Obituary for a veteran
Raymond Curtis Bell, 83, of Pensacola, Florida, died on [DATE]. Ray enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at 18 and served 22 years as an aircraft mechanic, including two tours in Vietnam, retiring as a master sergeant. He then spent 15 years teaching aviation mechanics at the community college, where he was known for his patience and his terrible jokes. He married Gloria Simmons in 1963. He is survived by Gloria; his children, Curtis and Denise; and four grandchildren. Ray was proud of his service and prouder of his family. A funeral service with military honors will be held at [PLACE], with burial at [CEMETERY].
Why it works: branch, years, role and rank, said plainly, then a second career that shows who he was.
10. Religious obituary example
Dorothy Mae Jenkins, 89, of Birmingham, Alabama, went home to be with the Lord on [DATE]. A member of Greater New Hope Baptist Church for 65 years, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and never let a new family leave the church without a covered dish. She worked 30 years as a seamstress and made every choir robe the church owned. She is survived by her children, Charles, Loretta and Michael; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a church family too large to count. A homegoing service will be held at [PLACE] on [DATE]. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
Why it works: the faith language is hers, the church is named, and the robes make her service concrete.
11. Funny obituary example
Eleanor “Ellie” Fischer, 87, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has died, which she would want you to know was against medical advice. Ellie married Gene Fischer in 1958 and spent 41 years as a bank teller, where she noticed counterfeit twenties and bad haircuts with equal accuracy. She raised three children who all turned out fine, she said, “considering.” She played bridge on Thursdays, cheated at Scrabble on Sundays and never once paid full price for anything. She is survived by Gene, who will now have to learn where the coffee filters are; her children, Ann, Jim and Laura; and six grandchildren who learned from her that dessert is never optional. Services at [PLACE]. In lieu of flowers, buy something on sale and think of her.
Why it works: every joke is a true habit, and the facts are all still there.
12. Obituary for someone who lived with dementia
George William Patel, 82, of Edison, New Jersey, died on [DATE] after living with Alzheimer’s disease for seven years. Before the illness took his memory, George was an accountant for 35 years, a cricket fan who explained the rules to anyone who stood still long enough, and a grandfather who kept toffees in every coat pocket. Even near the end he hummed the songs his mother sang to him in Gujarati. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Meena; his children, Ravi and Priya; and five grandchildren. The family thanks the staff of [CARE HOME] for their kindness. A memorial service will be held at [PLACE]. Donations may be made to [ALZHEIMER’S CHARITY].
Why it works: it names the illness honestly, then spends most of its words on the man before it.
13. Obituary for a brother or sister
Thomas “Tommy” Russo, 69, of Providence, Rhode Island, died on [DATE]. The youngest of five, Tommy spent his life as everyone’s little brother, which he took as permission to tease us forever. He drove a city bus for 31 years and knew every regular by name and stop. He never married, but he was the uncle every kid wanted: the one with the boat, the bad advice and the good snacks. He is survived by his sisters, Angela and Theresa; his brothers, Frank and Joe; and 11 nieces and nephews, who are already telling his stories. Services will be held at [PLACE].
Why it works: a life without children or a spouse is still full, and this one shows it through the family around him.
14. Obituary for a friend
Barbara “Babs” Cohen, 77, of Tucson, Arizona, died on [DATE]. Babs moved to Tucson from Brooklyn in 1985 “for the dry heat” and stayed for the people. She ran the library’s book club for 20 years, walked the same trail every morning at six, and remembered everyone’s grandchildren’s names, including ours. She is survived by her cousin, Ruth, and by more friends than she would ever admit to having. A gathering in her memory will be held at [PLACE]. Bring a book you think she would have hated. She’d love the argument.
Why it works: when a friend writes it, the friendships become the family section.
15. Death notice example (facts only)
SULLIVAN, Michael J., 80, of Albany, New York, died [DATE]. Beloved husband of Kathleen; father of Brian and Erin; grandfather of four. Visitation at [FUNERAL HOME] on [DATE]; funeral Mass at [CHURCH] on [DATE]. In lieu of flowers, donations to [CHARITY].
Why it works: this is the short, paid notice many papers print. Pair it with a full obituary online.
Obituary template (fill in the blanks)
[FULL NAME] ("[NICKNAME]"), [AGE], of [TOWN, STATE], died [peacefully / at home /
after a short illness] on [DATE].
Born in [PLACE] to [PARENTS' FIRST NAMES], [he/she/they] [grew up ... one detail].
[He/She/They] worked as [JOB] for [YEARS], [one detail about the work].
[He/She/They] married [SPOUSE] in [YEAR].
[One or two sentences about what they loved: faith, hobbies, habits, a saying.]
[He/She/They] is survived by [SPOUSE]; [CHILDREN]; [NUMBER] grandchildren;
and [SIBLINGS]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [NAMES].
A [funeral / memorial / celebration of life] will be held at [PLACE] on [DATE].
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [CHARITY].10 obituary opening lines
- “Robert Lee Hayes, 79, of Tulsa, who could fix anything with a coat hanger and patience, died on [DATE].”
- “Mary Catherine Flynn, 91, died on [DATE] in the same house where she raised seven children and one very spoiled cat.”
- “After 86 years, three countries and more than a thousand loaves of bread, Anna Petrova died peacefully on [DATE].”
- “Frank Delgado taught us how to throw a curveball, change a tire and apologize properly. He died on [DATE] at 77.”
- “Our mother, Joan Elizabeth Price, died on [DATE], one week after her 88th birthday and one day after beating us all at cards.”
- “Charles ‘Chuck’ Weaver, 84, a farmer who never missed a sunrise, died on [DATE].”
- “Evelyn Rose Carter, 95, retired teacher, church pianist and the best listener we ever knew, died on [DATE].”
- “Sam Okafor, 72, of Houston, died on [DATE], leaving behind a family he loved loudly and a garden he loved quietly.”
- “With her family around her and her favorite hymn playing, Grace Ann Miller, 89, died on [DATE].”
- “Leonard ‘Len’ Fisher, 81, has gone fishing for the last time.”
How to write an obituary in 6 steps
- Get the facts from the funeral home or the paperwork. Full legal name, age, dates, places of birth and death, and the service details. The funeral director will usually have these, and will know the newspaper’s deadline and format.
- Ask the family for three stories. Text siblings, cousins and old friends one question: “What’s one thing about [NAME] you never want us to forget?” You’ll get your detail.
- Choose the tone. Traditional, warm, religious or funny. Ask the closest family before you write a funny one.
- Write it long, then cut. Follow the template above in order: opening, life, family, what they loved, service, request. Then cut to the length the paper allows, and keep the long version for the funeral home website.
- Check every name and spelling. Spouses of children in parentheses, step-relatives, people who died earlier. Read the list of survivors out loud to one other family member.
- Decide where it goes. Newspaper, funeral home site, an online memorial, social media. See below.
What to leave out of an obituary
Obituaries are public, and scammers read them. Leave out:
- The full date of birth. Give the age, or the year.
- The mother’s maiden name. Banks still use it as a security question.
- The home address. The town and state are enough.
- Anything that announces an empty house. Many families share exact service times privately or through the funeral home.
And for kindness: skip family feuds, causes of death the person kept private, and long lists of every second cousin.
Where to publish an obituary
- The local newspaper. Most papers charge for obituaries, usually by length, and often extra for a photo. The funeral home can tell you the price and the deadline, and will often send it for you.
- The funeral home’s website. Usually included with the funeral, with no length limit, and friends can leave messages.
- An online memorial page or social media, which is free and easy to share with people who live far away.
Many families do both: a short notice in the paper and the full obituary online.
When you wish you’d asked more
Almost everyone writing an obituary hits the same wall: the details you want most are the ones only that person could have told you. How they met. What their first job paid. The story behind the scar, the nickname, the move across the country.
If your other parent, a grandparent or an older relative is still here, this is the moment to ask them. Here’s how to interview elderly parents about their life stories, with the questions that open people up. Or let them tell it themselves: Memoirji asks them questions about their life one at a time, in their browser, on WhatsApp or on LINE, and writes their spoken answers up as chapters. It’s free to start. If you’re the one thinking ahead, here’s how to write your own obituary, and how to plan your own funeral so your family doesn’t have to guess.
For a longer record of a family’s lives, a family history book holds what an obituary can’t, and our end-of-life planning checklist covers the paperwork that comes with it.
Frequently asked questions
What should an obituary say?
Most obituaries cover six things: the person’s full name, age and hometown with the date of death; a few lines about their life (where they grew up, work, service); the people they loved; what they loved doing; the service details; and any request, like donations in lieu of flowers. The best ones add one true detail that sounds exactly like them.
What is a good example of a short obituary?
Something like: “Margaret ‘Peggy’ Doyle, 84, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on [DATE]. A retired school nurse, she raised four children, never missed a grandchild’s game, and made the best soda bread on her street. She is survived by her children, nine grandchildren and her sister Anne. A funeral Mass will be held at [PLACE].” That’s about 60 words and still sounds like a person.
How do you start an obituary?
The standard opening is name, age, hometown and date of death: “Robert Lee Hayes, 79, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died on [DATE].” To make it warmer, add one detail in the same sentence: “Robert Lee Hayes, 79, of Tulsa, who could fix anything with a coat hanger and patience, died on [DATE].”
How long should an obituary be?
Most newspaper obituaries run about 150 to 400 words, partly because many papers charge by length. An obituary on a funeral home website or memorial page can be as long as you like, and many families post a short version in the paper and a longer one online.
What should you not put in an obituary?
Leave out the full date of birth, the mother’s maiden name, the home address and anything that could help someone steal the person’s identity or know when a house will be empty. Give the age or birth year instead, and the town and state rather than the street.
What’s the difference between an obituary and a death notice?
A death notice is a short, paid announcement with the facts: name, age, date of death and service details. An obituary tells something of the person’s life: their work, family, character and the things they loved. Some families publish only a death notice in the paper and a full obituary online.
Who usually writes the obituary?
Usually a close family member: a spouse, a son or daughter, or a grandchild who writes well. Funeral directors help with the facts, the format and sending it to newspapers, and some will draft it from a short interview with the family.
How do you write an obituary for your mother?
Start with the facts (full name, age, hometown, date of death), then write two or three sentences about her life in the order she lived it, name the people she loved, and add one detail only her family would know: a saying, a habit, a dish. Example 1 on this page is an obituary for a mother you can model yours on.
Can an obituary be funny?
Yes, if the person was funny and the family agrees. A funny obituary still needs the facts and the service details. The humor works best when it’s true and affectionate, like “She is survived by her husband Gene, who will now have to learn where the coffee filters are.”
Do you have to put an obituary in the newspaper?
No. It’s a choice, not a legal requirement. Many families now publish only on the funeral home’s website, a memorial site or social media, which is free or included in the funeral package. A newspaper notice still makes sense if the person was well known in the community or if older friends read the paper.
What does “in lieu of flowers” mean in an obituary?
It means “instead of flowers”. The family is asking people who want to do something to give to a named cause, such as a hospice, a church or a charity the person cared about, rather than sending flowers.
Can I write my own obituary in advance?
Yes, and more people do it than you’d think. You get the facts right, you choose the tone, and your family has one less thing to do. Our guide on how to write your own obituary has a seven-step method and a fill-in template.
Before you write
Take ten minutes, fill in the template, and add the one detail that only your family would know. That detail is the whole obituary. The rest is facts.
And if there’s someone in your family whose story you don’t want to have to piece together later, Memoirji lets them tell it in their own words, by talking. Nothing to download. No password. No credit card.
