Free Obituary Templates

Writing an obituary during grief is one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do. These templates give you a starting point — just fill in the details and make it your own.

Want it written for you? Our free AI obituary writer creates a personalized tribute in minutes — just answer a few questions about your loved one.

How to Use These Templates

Replace everything in [brackets] with your loved one's information. Delete any sections that don't apply. Add personal details, stories, and memories that make it uniquely theirs. There's no wrong way to do this — the best obituary is the one that feels true.

Standard Obituary Template

The classic format used by most newspapers and funeral homes. Works for anyone.

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away [peacefully / suddenly / surrounded by family] on [date of death] at [location].

Born on [birth date] in [birth city, state] to [parent names], [First Name] grew up in [city/area] and graduated from [school/university]. [He/She/They] went on to [career or life's work], where [he/she/they] [notable achievement or what they were known for].

[First Name] was known for [personality traits — e.g., "a warm laugh that could fill any room," "unwavering dedication to family," "a quiet generosity that touched everyone who knew them"]. [He/She/They] loved [hobbies and interests — e.g., "tending the garden," "Sunday morning fishing trips," "cooking elaborate meals for anyone who walked through the door"].

[First Name] is survived by [spouse/partner name]; [children and their spouses]; [number] grandchildren; [siblings]; and [other important family or friends]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [predeceased family members].

A [funeral/memorial service/celebration of life] will be held on [date] at [time] at [location, address]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [charity name and link].

Obituary Template for a Mother

Captures the warmth, love, and legacy a mother leaves behind. See our full guide for writing a mother's obituary →

[Full Name], beloved mother, [grandmother], and [friend to all who knew her], passed away on [date] at the age of [age].

Born [birth date] in [birthplace], [First Name] was the [daughter/oldest child/youngest] of [parent names]. She [met her husband / married] [spouse name] in [year], and together they built a life filled with [love, laughter, faith — whatever fits].

Above all else, [First Name] was a devoted mother. She raised [number] children with [describe her parenting — e.g., "equal parts tenderness and strength," "a fierce love that never wavered," "the kind of patience that made every child feel like the most important person in the world"]. Her home was [describe — e.g., "always open," "filled with the smell of fresh bread," "where everyone gathered for holidays"].

[First Name] also [career/volunteer work/community involvement]. She was passionate about [interests] and could often be found [favorite activity]. Those who knew her remember [a specific quality or habit — e.g., "her handwritten birthday cards that always arrived on time," "the way she could make anyone feel welcome within five minutes"].

She is survived by her [children: names]; [grandchildren: number or names]; [siblings]; and [others]. She was preceded in death by [names].

[Service details]. The family asks that you honor her memory by [something she would have wanted — e.g., "calling someone you love," "sharing a meal with a neighbor," "donating to (charity)"].

Obituary Template for a Father

Honors a father's strength, guidance, and the mark he left on his family. See our full guide →

[Full Name], [age], a devoted [father / husband / grandfather / friend], passed away on [date] in [city, state].

Born on [birth date] in [birthplace], [First Name] was raised by [parent names]. After graduating from [school], he [career path — e.g., "spent 35 years as a carpenter, building homes with the same care he built his family," "served his community as a firefighter for three decades"]. He married [spouse name] in [year], and together they [describe their life together].

As a father, [First Name] was [describe — e.g., "the steady hand that guided his children through every storm," "the one who showed up to every game, every recital, every moment that mattered," "a man of few words whose actions said everything"]. He taught his children [values or lessons — e.g., "to work hard, treat people fairly, and never take themselves too seriously"].

[First Name] loved [hobbies — e.g., "spending Saturdays in the workshop," "grilling for the whole neighborhood," "early morning fishing trips with his sons"]. He was also known for [a trait or habit that made him unique].

He leaves behind his [wife/partner name]; children [names]; [grandchildren]; [siblings]; and [others]. He was preceded in death by [names].

[Service details]. In lieu of flowers, [memorial donation or personal request].

Obituary Template for a Veteran

Honors military service while celebrating the full life lived.

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], [veteran rank] of the United States [Branch], passed away on [date].

Born [birth date] in [birthplace], [First Name] answered the call to serve his country in [year], enlisting in the [branch of service]. He served [duration] including [deployments, stations, or notable service — e.g., "two tours in Vietnam," "stationed in Germany during the Cold War," "aboard the USS (ship name)"]. He earned [medals/commendations — e.g., "the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Medal"] and was honorably discharged as a [final rank] in [year].

After his service, [First Name] [post-military life — career, education, community involvement]. He carried the values of [duty, honor, service] into everything he did, from [specific examples].

[Family paragraph — spouse, children, etc.]

A [funeral service with military honors] will be held on [date] at [location]. [Burial at national cemetery or other details]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [veterans organization — e.g., "the Wounded Warrior Project," "the local VFW Post"].

Obituary Template for a Grandparent

Celebrates the legacy of someone who shaped multiple generations.

[Full Name], [age], passed away [peacefully] on [date], surrounded by the family [he/she] loved so deeply.

Born on [birth date] in [birthplace], [First Name] lived a life that spanned [number] years of [history/change/growth]. [He/She] married [spouse] in [year] and together they raised [number] children in [city].

To [his/her] [number] grandchildren and [number] great-grandchildren, [he/she] was simply "[Grandma/Grandpa/Nana/Pop/etc.]" — [describe their role as grandparent — e.g., "the one who always had candy in the pocket," "who told the best stories," "whose kitchen was the center of every holiday," "who never missed a birthday"]. [He/She] had a gift for [making each grandchild feel special / remembering every detail of their lives / turning ordinary afternoons into adventures].

[Life story — career, community, hobbies, church, etc.]

[He/She] is survived by [children], [grandchildren — names or number], [great-grandchildren], and [others]. [He/She] was preceded in death by [spouse if applicable] and [others].

[Service details].

Obituary Template for a Young Person

For when a life ends far too soon. Focuses on who they were and the light they brought.

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], left this world far too soon on [date].

[First Name] was born on [birth date] to [parent names] and from the very beginning, [he/she/they] [describe their spirit — e.g., "brought light into every room," "had a smile that was absolutely contagious," "lived with a passion that made every day count"].

[He/She/They] attended [school] where [he/she/they] [academics, activities, friendships — e.g., "was a star on the soccer field," "performed in every school play," "was the friend everyone could count on"]. [First Name] dreamed of [aspirations] and was [working toward / just beginning] that journey.

[First Name] loved [interests and hobbies]. [He/She/They] had a talent for [specific gift] and [a personal detail that captures who they were]. Those who knew [him/her/them] will remember [a specific memory or quality].

[First Name] is deeply missed by [parents], [siblings], [grandparents], [friends], and [all who had the privilege of knowing them]. [He/She/They] touched more lives in [age] years than most do in a lifetime.

[Service details]. In [First Name]'s memory, the family asks that you [something meaningful — e.g., "hug your children a little tighter," "be kind to someone today," or memorial fund details].

Short Obituary Template

For newspaper listings or when brevity is preferred. See more short obituary examples →

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away on [date]. Born [birth date] in [birthplace] to [parent names], [he/she] [brief career/life summary]. [First Name] is survived by [key survivors]. A [service type] will be held [date/time] at [location]. In lieu of flowers, [memorial request].

Religious / Faith-Based Obituary Template

Incorporates faith and spiritual comfort for families of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or other faith traditions.

[Full Name], [age], was called home to be with the Lord on [date], [surrounded by loving family / peacefully in his/her sleep].

Born on [birth date] in [birthplace], [First Name] accepted Christ at an early age and was a [lifelong / devoted / faithful] member of [Church Name] where [he/she] served as [roles — e.g., "a deacon for 20 years," "choir member," "Sunday school teacher"]. [His/Her] faith was not just something [he/she] practiced on Sundays — it was the foundation of [his/her] entire life.

[First Name] [career and life details]. [He/She] married [spouse] in [year] at [church] and together they [life together].

[He/She] is survived by [family]. [He/She] was preceded in death by [names] and is now reunited with them in glory.

A [homegoing celebration / funeral mass / memorial service] will be held on [date] at [time] at [Church Name, address]. [Burial details]. The family finds comfort in [scripture verse — e.g., "John 14:2: 'In my Father's house are many rooms.'"]

Celebratory / Uplifting Obituary Template

For when the family wants to celebrate the life lived rather than mourn the loss.

[Full Name] lived [age] extraordinary years, and on [date], [he/she] set off on [his/her] greatest adventure yet.

If you knew [First Name], you knew [his/her signature quality — e.g., "the laugh — loud, genuine, and absolutely impossible not to join," "that nobody left the house without a full stomach and a to-go plate"]. [He/She] was the kind of person who [specific trait that captures their spirit].

Born [birth date] in [birthplace], [First Name] [life story told with warmth and humor where appropriate]. [He/She] was proudest of [family/achievement/legacy].

[First Name] leaves behind [family] and [a community / countless friends / everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting them]. [He/She] would want you to know that [something in their voice — e.g., "life is too short for bad coffee," "always bet on yourself," "family isn't just blood — it's anyone you choose to love"].

A celebration of [his/her] incredible life will be held on [date] at [location]. [Dress code if applicable — e.g., "Wear bright colors — [First Name] would have wanted it that way"]. In lieu of flowers, [fun memorial request or charity].

Obituary Template for a Spouse

When you've lost your partner and need to put their life into words.

[Full Name], [age], the [beloved husband/wife/partner] of [your name], passed away on [date] after [circumstances — e.g., "a courageous battle with cancer," "a life fully lived," "a brief illness"].

[First Name] was born on [birth date] in [birthplace]. [He/She] and [spouse name] met in [year/location/how you met] and were married on [wedding date] in [location]. For [number] years, they [shared / built / navigated] a life together that was [describe your life together — e.g., "full of laughter, adventure, and an ever-growing family"].

[Career, achievements, community involvement]. But [First Name]'s greatest role was [as a spouse/parent/grandparent]. [He/She] [specific ways they showed love — e.g., "never forgot an anniversary," "left love notes in lunch bags after 30 years of marriage," "made every house feel like home"].

[First Name] is survived by [spouse], [children], [grandchildren], [siblings], and [others].

[Service details].

Skip the Template — Let AI Write It For You

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write an obituary from a template?

Choose the template that best fits your situation, then replace everything in [brackets] with your loved one's real information. Delete sections that don't apply, and add personal details, stories, and memories. There's no wrong way — the best obituary is the one that feels true to who they were. If you'd rather not start from a template, our free AI obituary writer can create one for you from scratch.

How long should an obituary be?

There's no required length. Newspaper obituaries are typically 150-300 words. Online obituaries can be longer — 500 to 1,000 words is common. What matters is that it captures who they were. See our short obituary examples if you prefer brevity.

What should I include in an obituary?

At minimum: full name, age, date of death, and survivors. Most obituaries also include birth date, place of birth, career, hobbies, personality, and service details. See our complete obituary checklist for a full breakdown.

Are these templates really free?

Yes. Everything on OfficialObituary.com is free — the templates, the AI writer, and publishing a memorial page. No hidden fees, no premium tiers, no credit card required.

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