Guides, templates, and real examples for writing a meaningful obituary, from what to include and how to structure it to where to publish it.
18 guides
How to write an obituary for a sudden or unexpected death: what to say when the cause is still unknown, wording that avoids speculation, and opening lines.
Wondering how to word the cause of death in an obituary, or leave it out? Gentle phrasing options, what readers infer, and safe lines for when it's unknown.
A free death notice template you can fill in tonight: the minimum details to include, newspaper wording examples, word counts, and what it costs to run.
How to write an obituary for an aunt or uncle: what to include, how to list nieces and nephews as survivors, opening lines, and examples you can adapt.
How to write an obituary when you are not a writer: answer six plain questions, write it like you would tell a friend, and let a free tool draft the rest.
How to write an obituary the whole family agrees on: who to ask, one deadline for edits, and how to settle two versions of the same memory before it runs.
Best obituary phrases for every part of the notice: opening lines that work, personality wording, faith and comfort lines, and cliches worth replacing.
Obituary writing mistakes to avoid, from tired clichés and risky personal details to the factual errors families regret. Learn what to check before you submit.
How to list survivors in an obituary: the exact wording, the traditional order, who to include, and how to keep the list from doubling your printing cost.
Obituary format and structure, in order: what goes in the first paragraph, the five blocks that follow, how to format dates, and a skeleton you can fill in.
How to fact check an obituary before it runs: verify dates, spellings, survivors, and service times, and catch the small mistakes families notice too late.
How long should an obituary be? Most run 200 to 450 words. Learn the right word count for print, online, and cost limits, plus what to cut when you go over.