An obituary is a notice of someone’s death, typically published in a newspaper. It often includes biographical information about the deceased person, as well as details about their family, funeral arrangements, and information on how to make memorial donations. Obituaries serve to inform the public about a person’s passing and can also be a way for friends and family to pay tribute to the deceased. Let’s have a look at all possible examples of obituaries you may ever need.
Obituary - Template
We include next a general template for an obituary:
Obituary for [Deceased's Name] [Deceased's Name], beloved [husband/wife/partner], [father/mother/parent], and [grandfather/grandmother/grandparent], passed away on [Date of Death], at the age of [Age]. [Deceased's Name] was born on [Date of Birth] in [City, State]. [Include any relevant biographical information, such as education and career achievements].
[Deceased's Name] is survived by [spouse/partner's name], [children's names], and [number] grandchildren. [Include any other surviving family members, such as siblings or extended family]. [Deceased's Name] will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved them.
A funeral service will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Place of funeral service]. [Include any details about the service, such as the officiant or special music]. Following the service, [Deceased's Name] will be laid to rest at [Place of burial].
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [Charity or organization] in [Deceased's Name]'s memory. [Include any other details or requests, such as a special dress code for the service or a time for friends to gather after the funeral].
Examples of Obituaries
If the above template didn’t quit hit the spot for you, please have a look at the following example.
Obituary for a father
Obituary for John Doe
John Doe, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on December 12, 2022, at the age of 75. John was born on June 12, 1947, in Boston, MA, to Mary and David Doe. He graduated from Boston College in 1969 and went on to have a successful career in finance.
John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jane Doe, his children, Mary and James, and his four grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 15, at St. Mary's Church in Boston, followed by a burial at Greenlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association in John's memory.
This is just an example of a general obituary for a father. You can of course use it as inspiration but what if you need something else?
Let’s have a look at more examples of obituaries for specific loved ones.
Obituary for a mother
Obituary for Jane Doe
Jane Doe, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on December 12, 2022, at the age of 74. Jane was born on May 12, 1948, in Chicago, IL, to Susan and Richard Smith. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1970 and went on to have a successful career in education.
Jane is survived by her husband of 50 years, John Doe, her children, Mary and James, and her four grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 15, at St. Mary's Church in Chicago, followed by a burial at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in Jane's memory.
Obituaries for religious people
An obituary for a particularly devout person would still mostly look like the ones above. It may also include small paragraphs like the following:
John was a devout Catholic and was active in his church community throughout his life. He was known for his strong faith and his kind, compassionate spirit.
Maryam was a devout Muslim and was active in her mosque community throughout her life. She was known for her strong faith and her passion for social justice.
Rachel was a devout Jew and was active in her synagogue community throughout her life. She was known for her love of learning and her dedication to her faith.
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, don’t worry: it can be challenging to write an obituary. But with these examples of obituaries, you have a great starting point for your own tribute to the deceased. Remember that this needs to be a personal expression of love and remembrance. For more tips you can always have a look here.
Writing an obituary is just a small part that of tasks that accompany a loved one’s passing. Why not make your family’s lives easier by creating notes for your own obituary?And with Myend you can. Sign up today for an account free of charge.
