What is an obituary template?
An obituary template is a fill-in-the-blank framework that gives you the structure of a finished obituary — the sections, the order, the standard phrasing — so you can focus on the personal details instead of starting from a blank page. It handles the scaffolding. You fill in what made the person irreplaceable.
A good obituary template is not a rigid script. It's more like a floor plan — you can move walls, add rooms, leave some things out. The five free obituary templates on this page are designed to be adapted, not followed word for word. If a section doesn't fit the person you're writing about, skip it. If you want to add something, add it.
The templates below cover the most common situations: a general-purpose version, a short version for simple announcements, a simple version with minimal structure, a traditional formal version for newspaper submission, and a religious version for faith-based services. Jump to the one that fits using the links at the top of the page.
What to include in an obituary
There's no official rulebook. No one is grading you. But most obituaries include the same core elements, and knowing them ahead of time makes the writing a lot less daunting.
The essentials — don't skip these
- Full name — and any nickname they were actually known by
- Age at time of death
- Date of passing (and location, if relevant)
- Where they lived most recently
- Surviving family members — spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings
- Predeceased family members — "preceded in death by" is the traditional phrasing
- Funeral or memorial service details — date, time, location
The good stuff — add what feels right
- Career highlights or places they worked
- Education and military service
- Hobbies, passions, and interests
- Organizations or community involvement
- A short personal story or memory that captures who they were
- A favorite quote or saying of theirs
- Donation requests in lieu of flowers
Free Obituary Templates — Copy, Fill In, and Use Today
All five templates below are free to copy and use. Click the fill-in fields, replace them with the real details, and adapt any phrasing that doesn't sound like the person you're writing about. The green italic text marks the places to fill in.
General-purpose obituary template
The most versatile of the five. Works for newspaper submission, online publishing, or a memorial program. Covers all the essentials with room for personality.
[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away [peacefully / unexpectedly / after a long illness] on [date][, surrounded by family / at home / at (location)].
[First name] was born on [date] in [city] to [parents' names]. [He/She/They] attended [school] and later [career highlights, military service, or other major life events].
Known for [a defining personality trait or something they were famous for], [first name] had a deep love for [hobbies, interests, or passions]. [Optional: one brief personal story or memory — even a single sentence makes the obituary feel real].
[First name] is survived by [spouse's name and relationship]; [children's names]; [grandchildren, if applicable]; and [siblings or other close family]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names and relationships].
A [funeral / memorial service / celebration of life] will be held on [date] at [time] at [location and address]. [Optional: visitation details].
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to [charity name] at [website or address].
Short obituary template
For families who want something brief, or need to fit within a newspaper's word limit. Around 80–120 words when filled in. Gets the essential information across without pressure to write more than feels right.
[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away [peacefully / unexpectedly] on [date].
Born on [date] in [city], [first name] was [one sentence about who they were — their work, their defining quality, or what they loved].
[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse or partner], [children or other immediate family]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names].
A [service / celebration of life] will be held [date, time, and location]. [Optional donation line].
Simple obituary template
The most stripped-down version. Just the facts, clearly laid out. Works well when the family is overwhelmed, when time is short, or when the person themselves preferred simplicity.
It is with deep sadness that the family of [Full Name] announces [his/her/their] passing on [date], at the age of [age].
[First name] is lovingly remembered by [spouse or partner], [children's names], [grandchildren], and [other close family].
A [service / gathering / celebration] will take place on [date] at [time] at [location].
[Optional: one sentence about donations or flowers].
Traditional obituary template
Follows the formal conventions most newspapers expect. Chronological biography, full family listing, complete service details. Use this one when submitting to a print publication or when the family prefers a more formal tone.
[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away on [date] at [location]. [He/She/They] was born on [date] in [city] to [parents' full names].
[First name] was educated at [school(s)] and [served in the military / went on to study / began a career] in [year]. [He/She/They] dedicated [number] years to [career or profession] and was [a respected member of / a longtime volunteer at / known throughout (community) for].
On [wedding date], [first name] was united in marriage to [spouse's full name], with whom [he/she/they] shared [number] years. [He/She/They] was a devoted [parent / spouse / community member] who [one defining quality or contribution].
[First name] is survived by [spouse's full name]; [children's full names and their spouses]; [grandchildren — names or number]; [siblings — names]; and [other surviving family]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names and relationships].
Funeral services will be held on [day], [date], at [time], at [name and address of church, funeral home, or other location]. Visitation will take place on [day] from [time] to [time] at [location]. Interment will follow at [cemetery name].
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to [charity name], [address or website].
Religious obituary template
For families whose faith was central to the person's life and the service. Language reflects Christian tradition but can be adapted for other faiths — swap the specific phrases for whatever fits the person's beliefs.
[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], was called home to be with [the Lord / God / his/her Creator] on [date]. [He/She/They] was born on [date] in [city] to [parents' names].
A faithful [member of (church name) / follower of (faith)] for [number] years, [first name] lived [his/her/their] life guided by [faith / service / love for family and community]. [He/She/They] served as [church role, community role, or other faith-related contribution] and was known for [a quality rooted in their faith — generosity, compassion, steadfast presence].
[First name] is survived by [spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names and relationships]. [He/She/They] is now reunited with [name(s) of those who preceded them] in [Heaven / eternal rest / God's care].
A [funeral Mass / memorial service / celebration of life] will be held on [date] at [time] at [church name and address]. [He/She/They] will be laid to rest at [cemetery name].
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [charity or church fund] in [first name]'s memory.
Give the obituary a permanent home online
An Eternal Obituary memorial page keeps the obituary, photos, and family memories together — somewhere people can return to on anniversaries and the days grief shows up unexpectedly.
Create a memorial page →How to write an obituary, step by step
The templates above give you the structure. This section helps you fill them in — especially the parts that feel harder to put into words.
Gather the information first
Before you write a single sentence, collect what you need — dates, full names and spellings, service details, and a few specific memories or facts about the person. Sitting down to write without this in front of you is a recipe for frustration. Give yourself 20 minutes to pull it together from family members if needed. The writing goes much faster once you're not also trying to remember when someone was born.
Open with the death announcement
Lead with the person's full name, age, and when they passed. This is how most obituaries open, and it tells readers immediately what they need to know. Traditional phrasing: "[Full name], age [X], of [City], passed away on [date]." Keep it simple. The opening isn't the place to be poetic — save that for the middle.
Write the biographical section
Where were they born? Who were their parents? Where did they go to school, and what did they do for work? Military service? You don't need every fact — just the ones that meant something. A sentence or two is enough. Think of it as the "here's who this person was in the world" section. The goal is context, not a resume.
Add one specific personal detail
This is the part most people skip because it feels harder. Don't skip it. What were they known for among the people who loved them? Did they never miss a grandkid's soccer game? Did they make the same terrible joke every single Thanksgiving for 30 years and somehow everyone still laughed? One specific detail makes the obituary feel like a person instead of a form. Grammarly's obituary guide puts it well — ask yourself what you'll miss most, and start there.
List surviving and predeceased family
Name the immediate family members who survive them — spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, and their spouses if you'd like. Use first names and relationships. "She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Tom, her three children, and six grandchildren." Then list those who preceded them in death. Double-check every name spelling before publishing — family members notice, and a misspelled name stings.
Include service details
Date, time, and location — all three, every time. If there's a visitation or calling hours, include that too. If the service is private, write "a private service will be held." If you're collecting RSVPs, an online memorial page with RSVP functionality keeps everything organized in one place and lets you update details if anything changes.
Close with a donation note (optional)
If the family prefers donations to flowers, name the charity and include a way to give. "In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [charity name] at [website]." One sentence. That's all it needs.
Read it out loud before you finalize
Every time. Reading it out loud catches awkward phrasing you'd never notice on a screen. It also helps you feel whether the tone is right. If it sounds stiff and strange when spoken, it'll read that way too. Have a family member read it with you — they may catch something important you left out, or remember a detail that changes the whole thing.
Short obituary examples
Sometimes you need to see one before you can write one. Here are three complete obituary examples in different styles — traditional, warm and personal, and short. For obituary examples organized by relationship — mother, father, husband, and wife — see our full obituary examples guide.
Traditional style
Robert James Callahan, 81, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born June 2, 1943, to James and Dorothy Callahan, he spent 35 years as a high school history teacher before retiring in 2008. Robert is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol; his two sons, Daniel and Mark; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Thomas. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lincoln Land Community College scholarship fund are welcome.
Warm and personal style
Eleanor Mae Hutchins, 74, of Portland, Oregon, left this world on April 3, 2025, the same way she lived in it — quietly, gracefully, and with everyone she loved nearby. Eleanor was the kind of person who remembered every birthday, kept homemade jam in the cupboard at all times, and somehow always knew when you needed a phone call. She worked as a school librarian for 30 years and believed, deeply, that the right book could change a life. She is survived by her husband, Gerald; her daughters, Lisa and Karen; and seven grandchildren who will forever use her as the gold standard for what a grandmother should be. Services will be held privately. The family will host a celebration of life in June — details to follow.
Short and simple style
Margaret Ann Torres, 68, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on February 19, 2025. She is survived by her three children and eight grandchildren, who were the joy of her life. A private service will be held with family. A public celebration of her life is planned for spring.
Notice how the short one still works. You don't need 500 words to honor someone. You need the right words — whatever number that turns out to be.
Tone, length, and what not to include
How long should an obituary be?
For a newspaper, most obituaries run 200 to 300 words. Papers charge by the word or line, so length affects cost directly. Find out the word limit and pricing before you write — it saves you from having to trim something that felt finished.
For an online obituary, there's no restriction. Write as much or as little as feels right. Beyond the Dash suggests most people reading online expect to finish in 5 to 10 minutes — around 500 to 1,500 words. A shorter, well-written tribute almost always beats a long one that rambles.
Getting the tone right
Aim for warm and human over formal and stiff. You're writing for people who loved this person — they don't need impressive vocabulary, they need to feel like you understood who the person was. Some families include humor. That's fine. Others keep it reserved. Follow what feels true to the person, not what you think an obituary "should" sound like.
What not to include
- Family drama, estrangements, or complicated relationships
- Financial details or estate information
- Anything the deceased would have strongly objected to being public
- Information that could embarrass surviving family members
- Filler phrases — "words cannot express" and "gone too soon" have been used so many times they've stopped meaning anything
Where to publish an obituary
You have more options than most people realize, and they're not mutually exclusive.
Local newspaper
The traditional route. Most papers have an online submission process. Prices vary — expect $50 to several hundred dollars depending on length and the publication. A shorter print notice paired with a fuller online version is a practical way to manage costs while reaching both audiences.
Funeral home website
Most funeral homes publish an obituary on their website as part of their service package, usually at no extra charge. Ask your funeral director early in the process — it's often one less thing to coordinate yourself.
Online memorial page
An online memorial page lets you go further than any printed obituary. No word limits. Unlimited photos. A memory wall where family and friends share stories. RSVP functionality for the service. And a permanent home the family can return to on anniversaries and birthdays — not just in the first week. You can browse memorial page designs here to see what's possible.
Social media
Many families share the obituary on Facebook or in a private group. It reaches people quickly and allows immediate responses. A link to an online memorial page works well alongside it — gives people somewhere to go once they've seen the post, rather than a dead end.
People also ask
The obituary template gets you started. The writing gets the person on the page. And if you want to give their story a permanent home — with photos, family memories, and a place people can return to — the free obituary templates here are just the beginning. Eternal Obituary makes it simple to set up a memorial page in about five minutes. Browse memorial designs here, or check the FAQ if you have questions.