Free Obituary Template — Fill in the Blanks
Writing an obituary during grief is one of the hardest tasks a family faces. These free, fill-in-the-blank templates take the guesswork out of the process — just replace the brackets with your loved one's details.
How to Use These Templates
Each template below uses bracketed placeholders like [FULL NAME], [AGE], and [CITY, STATE]. Simply replace each bracket with the correct information for your loved one. If a section doesn't apply — for example, military service or a specific hobby — simply remove that sentence.
These templates are designed to be flexible. You can mix and match sections from different templates, add your own sentences, or shorten them to fit a newspaper's word limit. There's no single "right" way to write an obituary — the best one is the one that feels true to the person you're honoring.
We recommend gathering all the information you'll need before you start filling in the template. Use the checklist at the bottom of this page to make sure you don't miss anything important.
Template 1: Traditional Obituary
This is the most widely used obituary format. It follows a classic structure that newspapers, funeral homes, and online memorial sites all recognize. It's respectful, thorough, and appropriate for any situation.
[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [peacefully / unexpectedly / after a courageous battle with ILLNESS] on [DATE OF DEATH], at [LOCATION OF DEATH — e.g., home, hospital name].
[FIRST NAME] was born on [DATE OF BIRTH] in [BIRTH CITY, STATE] to [PARENT 1 NAME] and [PARENT 2 NAME]. [He/She/They] grew up in [CHILDHOOD CITY] and graduated from [HIGH SCHOOL NAME] in [YEAR]. [He/She/They] went on to [attend COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY NAME, where he/she studied MAJOR / enter the workforce at COMPANY NAME].
On [WEDDING DATE], [FIRST NAME] married [SPOUSE NAME] in [WEDDING CITY]. Together, they [built a life in CITY / raised NUMBER children / shared NUMBER years of marriage]. [FIRST NAME] worked as a [JOB TITLE] at [COMPANY/ORGANIZATION] for [NUMBER] years, where [he/she/they] was known for [PROFESSIONAL QUALITY OR ACHIEVEMENT].
[FIRST NAME] was a [devoted/loving/dedicated] [husband/wife/partner], [father/mother/parent], and [grandfather/grandmother/grandparent]. [He/She/They] enjoyed [HOBBY 1], [HOBBY 2], and [HOBBY 3]. [He/She/They] was a member of [CHURCH/ORGANIZATION/CLUB] and was known for [PERSONALITY TRAIT OR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT].
[FIRST NAME] is survived by [his/her/their] [spouse, SPOUSE NAME]; [children, CHILD 1 NAME (SPOUSE NAME), CHILD 2 NAME (SPOUSE NAME)]; [NUMBER] grandchildren; [NUMBER] great-grandchildren; and [siblings, SIBLING NAMES]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS].
[Funeral/Memorial] services will be held on [SERVICE DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION NAME, ADDRESS]. Visitation will be [DATE] from [TIME] to [TIME] at [LOCATION]. Burial will follow at [CEMETERY NAME].
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to [CHARITY NAME, ADDRESS or WEBSITE]. Condolences may be shared at [FUNERAL HOME WEBSITE].
When to Use This Template
The traditional template works for virtually any situation. It's the safest choice when you're unsure of the tone, when multiple family members need to agree on the wording, or when the obituary will be published in a newspaper with specific formatting expectations. It provides a complete picture of the person's life while remaining respectful and dignified.
Template 2: Modern / Casual Obituary
This template uses a warmer, more conversational tone. It reads less like a formal announcement and more like a letter to friends and family. It's ideal for someone who valued authenticity over formality, or for obituaries that will primarily be shared online or at a celebration of life.
The world lost one of the good ones on [DATE OF DEATH]. [FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [at home / at HOSPITAL / surrounded by family].
If you knew [FIRST NAME/NICKNAME], you knew [his/her/their] [DEFINING TRAIT — e.g., laugh, generosity, stubborn streak, love of a good story]. Born on [DATE OF BIRTH] in [BIRTH CITY], [FIRST NAME] spent [his/her/their] early years [BRIEF CHILDHOOD DETAIL]. [He/She/They] [attended SCHOOL / learned the trade of PROFESSION / found their calling in FIELD] and never looked back.
[FIRST NAME] and [SPOUSE NAME/NICKNAME] met [HOW THEY MET — e.g., at a dance, through mutual friends, at work] in [YEAR], and it was [love at first sight / the beginning of a beautiful partnership / the start of NUMBER years of adventures]. Together, they raised [NUMBER] [kids/children] who inherited [his/her/their] [TRAIT — e.g., sense of humor, work ethic, love of music].
When [FIRST NAME] wasn't [OCCUPATION/DAILY ACTIVITY], you could find [him/her/them] [HOBBY/ACTIVITY 1], [HOBBY/ACTIVITY 2], or [HOBBY/ACTIVITY 3]. [He/She/They] was the kind of person who [CHARACTERISTIC BEHAVIOR — e.g., never let you leave hungry, always had a joke ready, would give you the shirt off their back].
[FIRST NAME] leaves behind [his/her/their] [RELATIONSHIP], [SPOUSE NAME]; [children, NAMES]; [NUMBER] grandchildren who called [him/her/them] [GRANDPARENT NICKNAME]; and more friends than anyone could count. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS].
A [celebration of life / gathering of friends and family] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. Come as you are — [FIRST NAME] would have wanted it that way.
[Optional: In lieu of flowers, please [DONATION REQUEST / HUMOROUS ALTERNATIVE — e.g., enjoy a cold beer, hug someone you love, adopt a rescue dog].]
When to Use This Template
Choose the modern template when the person you're honoring had a casual, down-to-earth personality. It works beautifully for online sharing, social media posts, and celebrations of life. It's also a great choice when the family wants the obituary to feel personal rather than formulaic. This template gives you room to include personality and humor without sacrificing the essential information.
Template 3: Short Newspaper Death Notice
Newspaper space is expensive, and many publications charge by the word or by the line. This template gives you a complete, respectful death notice in under 100 words — enough to convey the essentials while keeping costs down. It follows the inverted-name format that most newspapers prefer.
[LAST NAME], [FIRST NAME] [MIDDLE NAME/INITIAL] — Age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [DATE OF DEATH]. [Beloved/Loving/Devoted] [RELATIONSHIP] of [SPOUSE NAME]. [Loving/Dear] [RELATIONSHIP] of [CHILDREN'S NAMES]. [Also survived by NUMBER grandchildren.] [Retired OCCUPATION / Member of ORGANIZATION]. Services [DATE] at [TIME], [LOCATION NAME]. [Burial at CEMETERY NAME.] [In lieu of flowers, donations to CHARITY NAME.] Arrangements by [FUNERAL HOME NAME]. [FUNERAL HOME WEBSITE].
Expanded Newspaper Version
If your budget allows for a slightly longer notice (150-200 words), you can expand the template above with one or two personal sentences:
[LAST NAME], [FIRST NAME] [MIDDLE NAME/INITIAL] — Age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [peacefully / unexpectedly] on [DATE OF DEATH]. Born [DATE OF BIRTH] in [BIRTH CITY] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. [FIRST NAME] was a [JOB TITLE] for [NUMBER] years and a [devoted member of CHURCH/ORGANIZATION]. [He/She/They] loved [HOBBY] and [HOBBY], and [his/her/their] [PERSONALITY TRAIT] touched everyone who knew [him/her/them]. [Beloved/Devoted] [RELATIONSHIP] of [SPOUSE]. [Loving] [RELATIONSHIP] of [CHILDREN]. [Proud grandparent of NUMBER grandchildren.] [Preceded in death by NAMES.] Services [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. Visitation [DATE, TIME, LOCATION]. In lieu of flowers, [DONATION INFO]. [FUNERAL HOME NAME, WEBSITE].
When to Use This Template
Use this template when submitting to newspapers with strict word limits or high per-word costs. It's also useful as a quick announcement for community bulletin boards, church newsletters, or workplace notifications. Despite its brevity, it covers all the essential information readers need.
Template 4: Celebration of Life
This template is designed for families who want to focus on how their loved one lived rather than how they died. It emphasizes joy, gratitude, and the lasting impact of a life well lived. The tone is uplifting and warm, making it ideal for memorial services, tribute walls, and keepsake programs.
Celebrating the Life of [FULL NAME]
[DATE OF BIRTH] — [DATE OF DEATH]
[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], left this world on [DATE OF DEATH], but the love [he/she/they] built will last forever.
Born on [DATE OF BIRTH] in [BIRTH CITY, STATE], [FIRST NAME] was the [BIRTH ORDER — e.g., eldest, youngest, middle] child of [PARENT NAMES]. From an early age, [he/she/they] showed a gift for [EARLY TALENT OR INTEREST], a passion that would follow [him/her/them] throughout life.
[FIRST NAME] built a career as a [OCCUPATION] at [COMPANY/ORGANIZATION], but [his/her/their] greatest accomplishment was the family [he/she/they] created. [He/She/They] married [SPOUSE NAME] on [WEDDING DATE], and together they shared [NUMBER] years of [love, laughter, adventure — choose what fits]. They raised [NUMBER] children — [CHILDREN'S NAMES] — each of whom carries a piece of [FIRST NAME]'s [TRAIT — e.g., kindness, determination, humor, curiosity].
Those who knew [FIRST NAME] will remember [him/her/them] for [MEMORY/TRAIT 1]. They'll remember [MEMORY/TRAIT 2]. And they'll never forget [MEMORY/TRAIT 3 — e.g., the way he could make an entire room laugh, her incredible holiday dinners, the stories they told on the front porch].
[FIRST NAME] found joy in [HOBBY 1], [HOBBY 2], and [HOBBY 3]. [He/She/They] was a [proud/active/lifelong] member of [ORGANIZATION/CHURCH/COMMUNITY GROUP], where [he/she/they] [CONTRIBUTION — e.g., volunteered weekly, served on the board, coached youth sports].
[FIRST NAME]'s legacy lives on through [his/her/their] [SPOUSE NAME]; [his/her/their] children, [NAMES]; [his/her/their] [NUMBER] grandchildren; and the countless friends, neighbors, and colleagues whose lives [he/she/they] touched.
[He/She/They] was preceded in death by [DECEASED FAMILY MEMBERS], who we trust are welcoming [him/her/them] with open arms.
A celebration of [FIRST NAME]'s life will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. All who knew and loved [him/her/them] are welcome. [Please wear COLOR / casual attire / your favorite team jersey — whatever fits the person].
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you [MEANINGFUL REQUEST — e.g., perform a random act of kindness, spend time with someone you love, donate to CHARITY NAME at WEBSITE].
[Optional closing quote or personal motto — e.g., "As [FIRST NAME] always said, '[FAVORITE SAYING].'"]
When to Use This Template
The celebration of life template is perfect for memorial services held days or weeks after death, where the focus is on remembering and honoring the person's life. It's also excellent for printed keepsake programs, memorial websites, and tribute videos. The uplifting tone helps shift the focus from loss to gratitude, which many families find healing.
Obituary Information Checklist
Before you start filling in any template, gather the following information. Having everything ready will make the process faster and less stressful.
Essential Information:
☐ Full legal name (including maiden name, if applicable)
☐ Nickname(s)
☐ Age at time of death
☐ Date of death
☐ Place of death (city, state)
☐ Date of birth
☐ Place of birth
☐ Parents' names
Life Details:
☐ Education (schools, degrees, years)
☐ Career (job titles, companies, years, achievements)
☐ Military service (branch, rank, years, honors)
☐ Marriage details (spouse name, date, location)
☐ Church/religious affiliation
☐ Organizations, clubs, or volunteer work
☐ Hobbies and interests
☐ Personality traits or memorable habits
Family:
☐ Surviving spouse/partner
☐ Surviving children (and their spouses)
☐ Number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren
☐ Surviving siblings
☐ Other significant survivors (close friends, caregivers)
☐ Family members who preceded in death
Service Details:
☐ Type of service (funeral, memorial, celebration of life, graveside)
☐ Date, time, and location of service
☐ Visitation/viewing details
☐ Burial or cremation details
☐ Funeral home name and website
☐ Memorial donation information (charity name, address, website)
☐ Special requests (attire, flowers, etc.)
Formatting and Submission Tips
For Newspaper Submission
Most newspapers have specific guidelines for obituary submissions. Call or visit the newspaper's website to check their requirements before submitting. Common rules include: maximum word count, required format (inverted last name first), photo specifications (high-resolution, head-and-shoulders), and submission deadlines (usually 24-48 hours before publication).
Ask about pricing upfront. Many newspapers charge per line, per word, or offer package rates. Adding a photo usually costs extra. Some papers offer discounted rates for shorter notices or online-only publication.
For Funeral Home Websites
Funeral homes typically publish obituaries on their websites at no additional charge. They may also distribute them to legacy.com or other memorial networks. Provide the funeral home with your finalized text and a high-quality photo. Most funeral homes have staff who can help you edit and format the obituary if needed.
For Social Media
When posting an obituary on Facebook or other social media platforms, consider a shorter version with a link to the full obituary on a funeral home or memorial site. Social media posts tend to perform better when they're personal and conversational. You might start with a sentence about your relationship to the person before sharing the formal obituary text.
Printable Version
Need to print these templates? Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to create a clean printable version of this page. The templates are formatted to print clearly on standard letter paper.
Tip: Before printing, you can copy any template into a word processor like Google Docs or Microsoft Word. This makes it easier to fill in the blanks, adjust formatting, and share drafts with family members for review. Save your work frequently — you don't want to lose your progress during an already difficult time.
For a faster alternative, our AI obituary writer can generate a complete, personalized obituary based on your answers to a few simple questions — no template filling required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard format for an obituary?
The standard obituary format includes: full name and age, date and place of death, biographical information (birth, education, career), personality and hobbies, list of survivors and those who preceded in death, and service details with memorial donation information. Our Traditional Template (Template 1) follows this standard format exactly.
How do I fill in an obituary template?
Replace each bracketed placeholder with the appropriate information. For example, replace [FULL NAME] with the person's complete name, [AGE] with their age at death, and [CITY, STATE] with their place of residence. If a section doesn't apply — like military service — simply delete that sentence. Read the completed obituary aloud to make sure it flows naturally.
Can I use these templates for free?
Yes, all templates on this page are completely free to use. You can copy, customize, print, and publish them for any purpose — newspaper submissions, funeral programs, online memorials, social media posts, or church bulletins. No attribution or credit is needed.
How long should an obituary be?
There is no required length. Newspaper obituaries are typically 150-300 words due to cost constraints. Online obituaries can be any length you choose. Our templates range from short newspaper notices (under 100 words) to detailed celebration of life tributes (400+ words). Write what feels right for your family and the person you're honoring.
Should I have someone proofread the obituary before publishing?
Absolutely. Have at least one other family member review the obituary for accuracy — names, dates, and spelling are especially important. Errors in published obituaries can be distressing and difficult to correct. It's easy to make mistakes during a difficult time, and a second pair of eyes catches things you might miss.
What if I don't know all the information for the template?
It's perfectly fine to leave out details you're unsure about. An obituary doesn't need to include every piece of information in the template. Focus on what you know to be accurate, and reach out to other family members for missing details like birth dates, maiden names, or military service information. It's better to omit something than to publish incorrect information.
Can I combine elements from different templates?
Yes! These templates are meant to be flexible starting points, not rigid formats. Feel free to use the opening from the Modern template with the survivor list format from the Traditional template, or add a Celebration of Life closing to a Newspaper notice. Mix and match until it feels right.
Skip the Template — Let AI Write It for You
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