To write an obituary, start with the announcement of the death (full name, age, city and date of death), add a short life story, list the close family members, and finish with the service details and any request for donations. Most obituaries run from about 200 to 600 words, and a clear, simple structure matters more than polished writing.
An obituary does two jobs: it tells the community that someone has died and when to gather, and it gives a brief portrait of the person's life. Many funeral homes help families draft one and publish it on their website at no extra charge, while newspaper placement is usually a separate cost.
Obituary vs death notice
| Death notice | Obituary | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Short, a few lines | Longer, from a few paragraphs up |
| Content | Name, date of death, service details | Life story, family, personality, service details |
| Who writes it | Family or funeral home | Family or funeral home, sometimes a newspaper reporter |
| Cost in newspapers | Usually paid | Usually paid, often priced by line or word, with extra for a photo |
Many families publish a full obituary on the funeral home's website and online memorial pages, and a shorter death notice in the print newspaper to manage cost.
What to include: a checklist
Gather these facts before you begin:
- Full name, including nickname or maiden name if commonly used
- Age and city of residence
- Date and place of death (cause of death is optional)
- Birthplace and year of birth
- Parents' names (optional)
- Education, military service, career highlights
- Marriage and long-term partners
- Faith community, clubs, volunteer work, hobbies
- Surviving family: spouse or partner, children, grandchildren, siblings, others close to the person
- Family members who died earlier ("preceded in death by")
- Service details: visitation, funeral or memorial service, burial, with dates, times and places
- Livestream link, if the service will be broadcast
- Memorial donations in lieu of flowers, with the charity's full name
- A thank you to caregivers or hospice staff, if the family wishes
- A recent, clear photo
A simple structure
1. The announcement. One or two sentences: "Margaret Ann Lee, 82, of Dayton, Ohio, died peacefully on September 30, 2026, surrounded by her family."
2. Life story. Two to four short paragraphs, roughly in time order. Where she grew up, school, work, marriage, what she cared about. Specific details make an obituary feel personal: the garden she kept for forty years, the Friday fish fry she never missed, the students who still wrote to her.
3. Family. List survivors, usually starting with spouse, then children (with their spouses), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings and others. Then name those who died before. Many families list grandchildren by number rather than by name to save space.
4. Service details. Include the funeral home's name, which is helpful for out-of-town readers, along with times and addresses of the visitation, service and burial. If the service is private, say so.
5. Closing. Memorial donation instructions and, if desired, a short thank you.
Writing tips
- Write in the third person and in plain language. Short sentences read well both in print and on a phone.
- Check every name and date. Ask a second family member to read the draft. Misspelled names are the most common error.
- Be careful with family wording. Blended families, estranged relatives and former spouses can be sensitive. Agree on the list before publishing.
- Decide how much to say about the cause of death. It is entirely optional. Some families mention it to raise awareness or to explain a donation request; others prefer phrases such as "after a long illness" or nothing at all.
- Let personality show. Humor is fine if it fits the person.
- Read it aloud. This catches awkward phrasing quickly.
Protect the family's privacy
Obituaries are public and are sometimes used by identity thieves and burglars. Some practical precautions:
- Do not include the full date of birth. A birth year or age is usually enough.
- Do not include the mother's maiden name, a common security question.
- Do not publish the home address.
- Consider having someone stay at the home during the visitation and funeral, since service times are published.
After the death, the executor or family can also take steps to protect the person's credit, such as notifying the credit bureaus. See what to do when someone dies.
Where obituaries are published
- Funeral home website. Most funeral homes post obituaries online with a guest book for condolences. This is often included in the funeral home's basic services, but ask, since the General Price List shows what is included. See what is a general price list.
- Local newspapers. Prices vary widely by paper and by length, and a photo often adds to the cost. Ask the newspaper or funeral director for a quote before submitting. If you pay through the funeral home, it may appear on your statement as a cash advance item.
- Online memorial sites and social media. Many newspapers syndicate obituaries to online platforms. Family members often share a link on social media.
- Faith community, alumni and professional newsletters. These reach people who may not see the newspaper.
Newspaper deadlines can be a day or more before publication, so check timing if the service is soon. See how long after death is a funeral.
Sample obituary
John Robert Alvarez, 74, of Tucson, Arizona, died on October 2, 2026, at home after a long illness.
John was born in 1952 in El Paso, Texas. After serving in the U.S. Army, he worked for 35 years as an electrician and later taught apprentices at the local trade school. He married Linda Ortiz in 1978. John loved fishing at Patagonia Lake, coaching Little League and grilling for anyone who stopped by on a Sunday.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Linda; his children, Maria (David) Chen and Michael Alvarez; four grandchildren; and his sister, Rosa Martinez. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Daniel.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, with a funeral Mass Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Church, followed by burial with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the local hospice that cared for him.