Free Obituary Templates

An obituary is a notice or announcement, usually written in a newspaper, of a person’s death, often with a short account of their life. It may be the first thing many people read in the news each day and may be the last word written about a person’s life. You may also wish to use the newspaper obituary on the back of your funeral program.

An obituary can chart the life of your loved in chronological order and can focus on their accomplishments and impact that person had on his or her family, friends, and community. Writing an obituary is no easy task, especially if you are currently going through the emotions of a loss of a loved one.

Below is an outline on how to write an obituary or how to create an obituary. Included are suggested items for inclusion to help guide you in writing an obituary. Keep in mind the length of words you are allotted if writing it for the newspaper or printed publication. If you need to shorten the obituary for the publication, perhaps a longer version can be placed in the funeral program for those who attend the funeral service.

You may also consider created a Memorial Webpage that gets into more detail without the restrictions of word count. Make sure you time the publication of the obituary so that it runs a few days or a week before the memorial service.

Download Free Obituary Outline Form

Before you begin writing an obituary, you may want to download our Free Obituary Outline Form (PDF format) to help you in gathering and formulating the content of your obituary.

Obituary Template

1. Begin with the person’s full name, date of birth, date of death.

2. In chronological form, indicate the account of the person’s life starting from place of birth, where they grew up, received their education and place of residency. Include a list of schools attended, degrees received, vocation and hobbies.

3. Make acknowledge to any survivors, including parents, spouse and children. The surviving relatives can be listed by name if you desire.4. Announce when and where the funeral, burial, wake and/or memorial service will take place.

4. Conclude with a statement regarding where memorial contributions can be sent, if applicable. The initial words can include “In lieu of flowers…” or “Memorial donations may be made to…”

Make your obituary sound positive and celebrate the life that was lived by including facts about the person’s interest, hobbies, and joys. The people who read your obituary will read it as if walking down memory lane in reflection to his or her life.

Example of an obituary outline and template that you are free to use:

James Anthony Madison September 1945 - December 2000 Resident of Santa Ramon After a courageous 7 year battle with cancer, James passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Ramon. James was born and raised in Sun Valley and graduated from Sun Valley High School. He held a teaching credential and was a 4th grade teacher at Sydney Elementary.

He was one of four children born to the late John and Debbie Smithen and was the beloved husband of Stacy Madison for over 30 years. Jack will forever be remembered by his devoted brothers Timothy, Richard, and the John Madison, loving sisters Carole Cainenes and Kristal Lawrence, beloved children Daniel Madison, Christina Reeder and Melanie Brandon, treasured grandchildren Rickie and Morgan Madison, Carol Ann, Brady and Billy Reed, caring in-laws Ingrid Mallmain, Kip Hanna, Catherina Jackson, Michele Reed, Chadwick Reed and Marilyn Broderick, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him.

James loved listening to classical music, playing the piano, laughing, being with his family, having fun with friends and teaching elementary school children. James touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, December 19th, 2000, at 10am at St. Dominics Funeral Home, 11555 Shamrock Avenue, Dublin, CA 94568.

The family requests all donations be sent to the wonderful people who gave such wonderful care for James in his time of need at Kaiser Hospice, 200 Muir Rd., Martinez, CA. Wilson & Kratzer - Danville (925) 555-1111