Obituary template
A gentle, guided way to write an obituary for someone you love. Fill in their details and the words come together for you, ready to download in Word or PDF. Free, and no sign-up.
Choose a template
About your loved one
Family
Service details
- Writing an obituary is hard. This tool is here to make it a little easier, one field at a time.
- There is no wrong way to do this. Fill in what you can, and leave the rest for now.
- An obituary shares the news, honors a life, and lets people know about the service.
- Take your time. You can save your work as a Word file and come back to it.
On this page
What is an obituary?
An obituary is a short written notice that announces a person’s death and celebrates their life. It shares the news with the community, tells the story of who the person was, names the family they leave behind, and gives details of the funeral or memorial service. It is sometimes called a death notice, though a death notice is usually just the brief announcement, while an obituary includes the life story as well.
More than a formality, an obituary is often the first tribute a family writes. It is a way to honor a life, to let friends and distant relatives know, and to invite people to gather and say goodbye. There is no single correct length or style. A good obituary simply reflects the person it is written for, and this template is here to help you shape one gently, without staring at a blank page.
What to include in an obituary
Most obituaries cover the same handful of things. Include what feels right for your loved one, and do not worry about any part you want to leave out.
- The announcement. Their name, age, town, and the date they passed away.
- A short biography. Where and when they were born, and the story of their life.
- What they loved. Their work, passions, faith, and the things that made them who they were.
- Family. Those who preceded them in death, and those who survive them.
- Service details. The date, time, and place of the funeral, memorial, or celebration of life.
- A final note. Where to send donations in lieu of flowers, and any closing message from the family.
How to write an obituary, step by step
The generator above walks you through it. Choose a style at the top, then:
- Start with their name, age, town, and the date they passed.
- Add when and where they were born.
- Write a few sentences about their life, in your own words.
- List the family members who came before them and those who survive them.
- Add the service details when you have them.
- Add a closing line or a place for donations, if you wish.
- Choose a design, and download it in Word or PDF to share or send to the funeral home.
Writing the life story
The heart of an obituary is the life story, and it is the part people worry about most. It does not need to be long or polished. The most moving obituaries are simply honest. Think about what made your loved one themselves: the work they were proud of, the people and places they loved, the small habits everyone will remember, a favorite saying, a passion they never let go of. A single true detail, the way they always had coffee ready, or how they never missed a grandchild’s game, says more than a page of grand words.
Write it the way you would tell a friend about them. You can always start with a few plain facts and add warmth as it comes to you. If the words are hard to find today, save what you have and return to it tomorrow. There is no deadline that matters more than getting it right for them.
Listing family members
Obituaries traditionally name family in two groups: those who “preceded in death,” meaning family who passed before, and those who “survive,” meaning the living family left behind. The usual order for survivors is spouse, then children and their spouses, then grandchildren, then siblings, and then extended family and close friends. You can name people individually or in groups, whichever feels right.
Take care with this part, as families notice who is included. When in doubt, be generous and inclusive, and it can help to have another family member read it over before you publish. There is no rule that everyone must be named, but a kind, thoughtful list honors the person and the family they built.
Where to publish an obituary
Once your obituary is written, there are a few common places to share it. Your funeral home will usually publish it on their website and can place it in the local newspaper for you, and many families also post it on Legacy.com, which many newspapers use for their online obituaries. You can also share it directly with friends and family by email or on social media.
Newspapers often charge by the word or the line for a printed obituary, so if cost is a concern, the Short notice style above gives you a briefer version for print while you share the fuller obituary online for free. Download the Word file to send to the funeral director, who can guide you on their process and any deadlines.
Download in Word, PDF, or copy the text
The generator gives you three ways to keep and share what you have written:
Word (.doc)
Editable in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Send it to the funeral home.
Ready to print for the service or share. Choose “Save as PDF”.
Copy text
Paste into an email, a message, or an online form.
Tip: save the Word version so you can come back and add to it gently over the next day or two.
Gentle tips
- You do not have to do it alone. Ask family for memories and details. It helps them too.
- Read the names aloud. It is the surest way to catch a spelling or a missing person.
- Keep a fuller version for online. Print can be brief; the web version can hold the whole story.
- Double-check the service details. Confirm the date, time, and place with the funeral home.
- Let it be imperfect. A heartfelt obituary in plain words is always enough.
Frequently asked questions
What should an obituary include?
The person’s name, age, town, and date of passing; when and where they were born; a short account of their life and what they loved; family who preceded them and who survive them; the service details; and any closing message or donation request. The template above guides you through each part.
What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?
A death notice is a brief announcement of a death, often just the name, dates, and service details. An obituary includes all of that plus the person’s life story and family. The Short notice style above gives you the briefer version if that is what you need.
How long should an obituary be?
There is no set length. A short notice can be a few lines, while a full obituary might run several paragraphs. If you are publishing in a newspaper that charges by the word, a shorter version keeps the cost down, and you can share a longer one online for free.
What does “preceded in death” and “survived by” mean?
“Preceded in death by” names family members who passed away before your loved one. “Survived by” names the living family they leave behind. Listing both is a traditional and gentle way to honor the whole family.
Where do I publish an obituary?
Most families publish through the funeral home, which can place it in the local newspaper and on their website, and often on Legacy.com. You can also share it by email or social media. Your funeral director can guide you on deadlines and cost.
How do I download the obituary in Word or PDF?
Fill in the details, choose a design, then use the Word, PDF or Copy buttons above the preview. The Word file opens in Microsoft Word or Google Docs and stays editable, so you can keep adding to it. No account or email is required.
Is this obituary template really free?
Yes. Every design and download on this page is free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Take all the time you need.