The best examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples for every family

Let’s skip the theory and go straight to what most people actually need: real examples you can adapt. These examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples are written in a way that sounds like a real person, not a form letter.

You can:

• Borrow a full structure (intro, life details, survivors, service info)
• Lift a sentence or two you like
• Mix and match lines from different examples

Then we’ll break down why each example of obituary wording works, so you can adjust it for your own family, culture, or faith.

Short and simple: example of a basic obituary

This is for newspapers with tight word limits, or when you want something straightforward and to the point.

Example 1 – Short, traditional obituary

Maria Elena Lopez, 82, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, surrounded by her family. Maria was born on May 14, 1943, in El Paso, Texas. She married her high school sweetheart, Carlos, in 1964 and together they raised three children.

Maria is survived by her husband of 61 years, Carlos; her children, Daniel (Rebecca), Elena (James), and Rafael (Linda); seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luis and Rosa Martinez, and her sister, Ana.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Phoenix, on Friday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association.

Why this works:

• First sentence answers the big questions: who, where, when, how (gently)
• Clear list of survivors and those who have died before
• Service details are specific: date, time, place
• One short line about donations instead of flowers

When you look at examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples like this, notice how little “fancy” language there is. Simple, clear, kind—that’s enough.

Warm and personal: example of a life-story obituary

Maybe your loved one had a big, layered life and a short notice just doesn’t feel right. This style reads more like a short story than a form.

Example 2 – Story-focused obituary

Jonathan “Jon” Miller, 59, of Portland, Oregon, died on August 18, 2025, after a brief illness. Jon was born on January 9, 1966, in Seattle, Washington, to Thomas and Elaine Miller, the oldest of three brothers and the first to discover that a guitar could be louder than a lawn mower.

Jon spent his early years playing music in garages, basements, and any coffee shop that would let him plug in an amp. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in English, which he claimed was “the perfect major for a future barista and part-time rock star.” Eventually, he found his calling as a high school English teacher, where he spent 30 years convincing teenagers that poetry was just song lyrics without the guitar.

Jon met the love of his life, Rebecca, at a local concert in 1992. They married in 1995 and built a home filled with books, music, and an ever-rotating cast of rescue dogs. His greatest joy was being a dad to their two children, Emma and Lucas, cheering them on at every game, concert, and science fair.

Jon is survived by his wife, Rebecca; their children, Emma and Lucas; his mother, Elaine; his brothers, Mark and David; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss his terrible puns and generous heart.

A celebration of Jon’s life will be held on Saturday, August 30, at 2:00 p.m. at the Portland Community Center. Guests are encouraged to wear band T‑shirts and share a favorite song in his honor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local public school music program.

This is one of the best examples of how to weave personality into an obituary without turning it into a novel. Notice how:

• A few specific details (band T‑shirts, rescue dogs, bad puns) make him feel real
• The tone is warm and slightly humorous, but still respectful
• The structure is still clear: basic facts, life story, survivors, service

If you’re looking for examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples that feel human and modern, this style is a good fit.

Faith-based example of an obituary

If faith was central to your loved one’s life, it’s completely appropriate to reflect that. You can keep it gentle and welcoming, even if not everyone reading shares the same beliefs.

Example 3 – Christian faith-centered obituary

Pastor Evelyn Grace Thompson, 74, of Atlanta, Georgia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 6, 2025. Born on October 21, 1950, in Birmingham, Alabama, Evelyn devoted her life to serving others through ministry, music, and mentorship.

Evelyn earned her degree in theology from Emory University and spent more than 40 years in ministry, most recently as senior pastor at New Hope Community Church. She was known for her powerful sermons, her open-door counseling, and her habit of showing up on doorsteps with casseroles and prayers.

She is survived by her children, Michael (Tanya) and Rachel (David); her grandchildren, Isaiah, Naomi, and Caleb; her sister, Lorraine; and a church family that spans generations. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Samuel.

A homegoing service will be held at New Hope Community Church on Saturday, May 10, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family asks that, instead of flowers, donations be made to the church’s food pantry ministry.

When you look at faith-based examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples, you’ll see phrases like “went home to be with the Lord” or “entered eternal rest.” Use language that matches your loved one’s beliefs and your community’s traditions.

Lighthearted and humorous example of an obituary

Some people make it very clear: “Don’t make it sad. Make them laugh.” If that sounds like your person, a lighter tone can be a beautiful tribute.

Example 4 – Funny, but still respectful obituary

If you’re reading this, it means that Barbara “Barb” Jenkins finally decided it was time to stop organizing the world and let someone else take a turn. Barb, 68, of Des Moines, Iowa, left this life on her own terms on June 12, 2025, after telling the doctors, “I’ve had enough Jell‑O, thank you.”

Born on April 2, 1957, in Omaha, Nebraska, Barb was a master list-maker, thrift-store treasure hunter, and undefeated Scrabble champion. She married her college roommate’s brother, Tom, in 1980 because, as she liked to say, “He laughed at all my jokes and could reach the top shelf.”

Barb is survived by Tom, her husband of 45 years; their children, Megan and Chris; her beloved grandchildren, Lily and Jack; and a small army of friends who will forever wonder how she managed to remember everyone’s birthday.

A casual gathering will be held at the Jenkins home on Saturday, June 21, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. Guests are invited to wear bright colors, bring a favorite Barb story, and leave with at least one piece of Tupperware (she insisted).

This is one of the best examples of using humor without losing respect. If you’re collecting examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples for a big personality, notice how:

• The opening line sounds like her
• Jokes are kind, not mean
• The facts are still there: dates, survivors, gathering details

Very short online notice: example for social media or funeral home sites

Many families now post a shorter notice online and link to a longer obituary. Here’s a modern-style example.

Example 5 – Short online obituary

With deep sadness, we share that David Chen, 44, of San Diego, California, passed away unexpectedly on September 9, 2025. David was a devoted husband, father, son, and friend whose kindness and quiet humor touched many lives.

He is survived by his wife, Angela; their children, Maya and Ethan; his parents, Li and Mei; and his sister, Grace. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20, at 3:00 p.m. at Coastal View Memorial Chapel, followed by a reception.

In honor of David’s love of the ocean, the family encourages donations to the Surfrider Foundation instead of flowers.

Many funeral homes now provide online memorial pages where you can post something like this and invite guests to share memories. When you look at current 2024–2025 examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples on these sites, you’ll notice a trend toward shorter, more conversational language and links to charities or causes.

Child or teen example of an obituary (gentle tone)

Writing for a young person is heartbreaking. The tone usually leans soft, loving, and focused on the joy they brought.

Example 6 – Obituary for a teenager

Sofia “Sofi” Ramirez, 16, of Austin, Texas, passed away on April 4, 2025, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with leukemia. Born on July 19, 2008, Sofi filled every room with her bright smile, quick wit, and fierce determination.

Sofi was a junior at Austin High School, where she played violin in the orchestra and served as co-captain of the debate team. She loved painting, baking elaborate cupcakes, and making her friends laugh with spot-on impressions.

She is survived by her parents, Carlos and Elena; her brother, Mateo; her grandparents; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, teachers, and friends who will carry her memory in their hearts.

A celebration of Sofi’s life will be held on Saturday, April 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Sunrise Community Church. The family encourages guests to wear Sofi’s favorite color, yellow, in her honor. Donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

If you need more support around the language of illness or cause of death for a child, organizations like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and resources from NIH often share family stories that can give you gentle, real examples.

Breaking down the structure: how to use these examples

Now that you’ve seen several examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples, let’s quickly unpack the pattern they almost all follow. Think of it as four short sections you can write in any order:

Opening facts.
Most obituaries start with:

• Full name (and nickname, if you use it)
• Age
• City and state
• Date of death
• One short phrase about the manner of death, if you choose to include it ("peacefully,” “after a long illness,” “unexpectedly")

Life story highlights.
This is where you pick a few things that mattered most:

• Where they grew up
• Education or work
• Military service, caregiving, or community roles
• Hobbies, passions, quirks, and favorite things

Family and survivors.
You’ll usually list:

• Spouse or partner
• Children and their spouses
• Grandchildren, parents, siblings
• Anyone they were especially close to

Service and memorial details.
Include:

• Type of service (funeral, memorial, celebration of life)
• Date, time, and location
• Dress requests (casual, favorite color, team jerseys)
• Donation information instead of flowers, if desired

When you compare different examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples, you’ll see this same backbone, just dressed up in different words.

Sensitive topics: examples include addiction, suicide, and overdose

A lot of families now choose more honest language around mental health and substance use. There is no single right way to do this. Some keep it private; others speak openly to reduce stigma.

Here’s a gentle example of wording that acknowledges overdose without going into painful detail:

Example 7 – Obituary mentioning addiction with care

After years of living with the disease of addiction, James “Jamie” Collins, 32, of Cleveland, Ohio, died on March 1, 2025. Jamie was so much more than his struggles. He was a talented mechanic, a loyal friend, and a loving son and brother with a laugh that could fill a room.

Jamie is survived by his parents, Robert and Denise; his sister, Kayla; his grandparents; and many friends who never stopped believing in his goodness.

In honor of Jamie’s life, the family encourages donations to local recovery programs that support individuals and families affected by addiction.

For guidance on language around mental health and substance use, you can look at resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the CDC. Their materials can inspire respectful, non-stigmatizing phrases you can adapt. These real examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples show that you can be honest and compassionate at the same time.

2024–2025 trends in obituary writing

If you browse current online memorials and newspaper notices, a few patterns stand out:

• More online memorials. Many funeral homes host digital guestbooks and longer obituaries, while newspapers run shorter, paid versions that link to the full text.
• Storytelling over formality. Families increasingly choose conversational language, inside jokes, and specific stories rather than stiff, generic lines.
• Mentioning causes and communities. Obituaries often point to charities, support groups, or movements that mattered to the person’s life, whether that’s a health charity like Mayo Clinic–affiliated foundations, environmental groups, or local shelters.
• Inclusive family language. You’ll see more acknowledgment of partners, chosen family, stepchildren, and blended families.
• Flexible services. Instead of only church funerals, many notices now mention “celebrations of life,” backyard gatherings, or scattering ashes at a meaningful place.

Looking at these modern examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples can give you permission to write something that actually sounds like your loved one, not like a template from 1950.

FAQ: common questions with real examples

How long should an obituary be?

Most newspaper obituaries are between 100–300 words because you pay by the line. Online obituaries can be longer—anywhere from a short paragraph (like the online example of David Chen above) to a full page like Jon Miller’s story-focused obituary. A good guideline is: long enough to say what matters, short enough that people will read it.

Do I have to list the cause of death?

No. Many families use soft phrases like “passed away peacefully,” “after a brief illness,” or “unexpectedly.” Some choose to be specific, especially when they want to raise awareness about cancer, mental health, or overdose. When you study different examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples, you’ll see both approaches. Choose what feels right for your family.

Can I use humor in an obituary?

Yes, if it fits the person. The obituary for Barbara “Barb” Jenkins above is a good example of how to add humor without being disrespectful. The key is to keep the jokes kind, rooted in who they really were, and balanced with sincere appreciation.

Are there examples of wording for donations instead of flowers?

Common phrases include:

• “In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to…”
• “Those wishing to honor [Name]’s memory may donate to…”
• “Memorial contributions may be made to…”

You can see these lines sprinkled throughout the examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples in this article.

What’s the best way to start if I’m completely stuck?

Start with one simple sentence:

“[Full name], [age], of [city, state], passed away on [date] surrounded by [who was there].”

Then add one sentence about what they loved most, one about family, and one about the service. After that, you can go back through the examples of obituary writing guide: practical examples here and borrow any lines or structures that feel close to what you want to say.

Writing an obituary is not a writing contest. It’s a love letter written on a hard day. Use these real examples, adjust the details, ignore anything that doesn’t fit, and remember: the fact that you’re trying at all already honors the person you lost.