How to write an obituary
For many people, writing an obituary is something they are unlikely to have done before. In this blog, we’ll answer commonly asked questions about the process, provide a step-by-step guide to make the task of writing one more manageable, and offer an example obituary that you can use for inspiration.
What is an obituary?
An obituary, or obit for short, is a newspaper article that announces a person’s death, provides a brief account of their life and gives details of their funeral.
What’s the difference between a eulogy and an obituary?
The biggest difference between a eulogy and an obituary is that one is spoken, and one is written. An obituary is written before the funeral takes place, notifying people of someone’s death and the details of their funeral. The eulogy is written as a speech and will be spoken on the day during the funeral service.
How long should an obituary be?
Obituaries are generally only a few paragraphs long, so 200 to 300 words is a good length to aim for. Remember, obituaries should only contain the necessary information about the person dying, a brief overview of their life and details of their funeral. The eulogy at the funeral service will be your chance to share more detailed memories of your loved one’s life.
Who writes an obituary?
Obituaries are typically written by the people who knew the person best, like a close family member or friend. However, most funeral directors will offer assistance in writing obituaries as part of their services.
In some cases, a professional writer may help write the obituary, due to their close relationship with the person that died and their writing ability. In very rare cases, some people may choose to write their own obituary before they die.
What should I include in an obituary?
If you’re unsure of what information to include in an obituary, we’ve broken this down into manageable steps to help you.
1. Announce the death
Start by collecting all the facts about your loved one. During such a difficult time it’s far easier to gather facts than it is crafting something personal about their life.
Use the checklist below to make sure you don’t miss anything:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Date of death
- Place of death
- Their age at the time of death
You don’t have to include the cause of death in the obituary if you don’t want to. But if you do include the cause of death, please check with the rest of your family beforehand to avoid upsetting anyone further during this time.
2. Tell their story
Every single life is unique, and an obituary should reflect this. If you were close to the person that died, ask yourself these questions:
- How did they touch the lives of others?
- How will they be remembered by their family and friends?
- What career milestones did they achieve?
- Outside of work, what were their interests?
- Who did they spend most of their time with?
Remember, you will only have a limited word count to work with, so this biography will have to be brief.
3. Mention their close family members
It’s customary to include the family members who have survived your loved one, as well as those who died before they did.
4. Details of the funeral service
List the time, date and location of where the funeral service will be held, as well as any information about a wake or memorial service. This is also a good opportunity to state whether the family would prefer flowers or for a donation to be made in their loved one’s name.
5. Choose an appropriate photo to include
If photos are accepted, then you may want to include one. Make sure the photo clearly shows their face and it’s just them in the photo. If you chose a family photo, for example, it might be difficult to pick out who the obituary is for.
6. Proofread before sending
As with any piece of writing, it’s essential that you proofread the obituary you’ve written. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes, making sure names and places are spelt right, as well as double-checking the dates you’ve mentioned throughout are accurate.
You can take this opportunity to check in with other family members and make sure they are happy with what has been written about your loved one’s life.
An obituary example
If you’re still unsure of how to write an obituary, below is short and longer example obituary to give you some inspiration.
Short example
Alison Smith (1955 – 2025)
Alison Smith passed away peacefully with her husband David by her side on April 2nd 2025, aged 70. Born on March 1st 1955 in London, Alison was a keen gardener and loved to spend as much time as possible outdoors.
She met her beloved husband David at 16, and together they shared a lifetime of love and laughter. A devoted animal lover, Alison cherished her three cats – Percy, Jackie and Monty – who brought her constant joy.
A service to honour Alison’s life will be held on April 21st at 10:00 a.m. at Moss Bank Crematorium on Vicar Lane. All are welcome.
Longer example
John Clark (1951–2025)
John Clark, a lifelong resident of Brighton, passed away peacefully on March 29th 2025, at the age of 74. Born on January 15th 1951, John spent his entire life in the town he loved, building a life rooted in family, routine, and community.
In 1973, John married his beloved wife Martha, with whom he shared over five decades of love, laughter, and companionship. Together they raised two sons, James and Harry, who were the pride of his life.
John dedicated his working years to the Royal Mail, serving as a postman across Brighton with a smile for everyone on his route. Known for his kind heart and never missing a day of work, he became a familiar and welcome face to many.
In his free time, John enjoyed long walks along the coast with his loyal dog, Bertie, and rarely missed a Brighton home game.
He will be remembered for his gentle humour and deep love for his family and community. John is survived by his wife Martha, sons James and Harry, and his faithful companion, Bertie. He will be dearly missed.
A service to celebrate John’s life will be held on April 17th at 11:00 a.m. in St Edmund’s church on School Lane. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shelter, a charity close to John’s heart.
If you’d like more guidance on how to write an obituary, speak to your local funeral director who will be able to advise you.
