Free Obituary Template & Writing Guide

Overview

An obituary announces a death and celebrates the life of the deceased. It provides essential information about funeral services while honoring the person's legacy, accomplishments, and relationships. Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming during grief, but following a simple structure helps families create meaningful tributes. This guide provides templates, examples, and step-by-step instructions for writing obituaries that truly capture a loved one's life.

Essential Elements of an Obituary

1. Announcement Statement

Open with essential information:

Full name (including maiden name if applicable)
Age at death
City and state of residence
Date of death

Example: "John Michael Smith, 68, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, surrounded by family."

2. Biographical Information

Birth date and place
Parents' names (especially if well-known)
Education and degrees
Career and professional accomplishments
Military service (if applicable)
Community involvement and volunteer work
Hobbies, interests, and passions

3. Family Information

Survivors: spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings (include names and cities)
Preceded in death by: parents, siblings, spouse (if applicable)

Example: "John is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Mary Smith; children Sarah Johnson (Mark) of Austin and Michael Smith Jr. (Lisa) of Houston; five grandchildren; and sister Patricia Williams of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Helen Smith."

4. Service Information

Viewing/visitation details (date, time, location)
Funeral/memorial service (date, time, location)
Burial or cremation details
Reception information (if applicable)
Livestream link (if virtual attendance available)

5. Memorial Contributions

If the family prefers donations over flowers, include:

Charity name and purpose
Donation address or website
Specific fund or program (if applicable)

Example: "In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 300 Convent St., San Antonio, TX 78205."

Basic Obituary Template

[Full Name], [Age], of [City, State], passed away [peacefully/suddenly/after a brief illness] on [Date], [location/circumstances if desired]. [He/She] was born on [Birth Date] in [Birth City, State] to [Parent Names]. [Brief sentence about childhood or early life]. [Education paragraph: schools attended, degrees earned, notable achievements] [Career paragraph: professional accomplishments, years of service, meaningful work] [Personal interests paragraph: hobbies, passions, personality traits, what made them special] [Family paragraph: marriage date and spouse name, followed by survivors with relationships and locations] [He/She] was preceded in death by [list family members]. [Service details paragraph: viewing, funeral, burial information] In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to [Charity Name and Address]. Arrangements are under the direction of [Funeral Home Name], [City, State].

Writing Tips

•Length: Newspaper obituaries typically run 200-500 words; online can be longer
•Tone: Respectful and celebratory, focus on positive memories
•Accuracy: Double-check all names, dates, locations, and relationships
•Proofreading: Have multiple family members review before publishing
•Nicknames: Include well-known nicknames in quotes after full name
•Photos: Most online obituaries include a recent portrait photo

Where to Publish

Local Newspapers

San Antonio Express-News: Most widely read, costs $300-$800 depending on length

Funeral Home Websites

Usually included free with funeral services, posted for 6-12 months

Online Memorial Sites

Legacy.com, Memorial.com, and similar platforms (free to $100 for premium features)

Social Media

Free sharing on Facebook, share link to full obituary hosted elsewhere