Obituary Template: Copy-and-Fill Examples for Every Situation

By Susan Jackson · Published 2026-08-17 · Updated 2026-08-17 · 8 min read

Free obituary templates you can copy, paste, and fill in — traditional, short newspaper-style, cremation/celebration of life, and veteran versions — plus word count and cost guidance.

Writing an obituary while grieving is hard. You're trying to summarize a whole life in a few paragraphs, often on a tight deadline for the funeral home or newspaper. These templates are meant to make that easier — copy one, fill in the blanks, and adjust the tone to fit the person you're writing about.

Before You Start

A few quick decisions will shape which template fits best:

• Length — most funeral home websites allow unlimited length, but newspapers often charge by the line or word, which is why a short version is useful to have on hand.
• Tone — formal and traditional, warm and conversational, or brief and factual are all appropriate; there's no single "right" way.
• Where it will run — newspaper, funeral home website, social media, or all three. You may need more than one version.

Template 1: Traditional Obituary

This is the classic structure most families recognize, suitable for a newspaper or funeral home website.

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date of Death] at [location, e.g., "home surrounded by family" or a hospital/hospice name].

[He/She/They] was born on [Date of Birth] in [Birthplace] to [Parents' names].

[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse's name], [children's names], [grandchildren's names/number], and [siblings, if applicable]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names of predeceased family members].

[Name] graduated from [school] and worked as a [occupation] for [company/years]. [He/She/They] was a member of [church, club, or organization]. [He/She/They] enjoyed [hobbies, interests].

A visitation will be held on [date] from [time] at [location]. A funeral service will follow on [date] at [time] at [location]. Burial will take place at [cemetery name].

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to [charity name and address/website].

Template 2: Short / Newspaper-Style

Newspapers often bill per line, so a compact version can save money while still covering the essentials.

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], died [Day of Week], [Date]. [He/She/They] is survived by [spouse, children — first names only if space is tight]. Services will be held [date/time] at [location]. Memorial donations may be made to [charity].

Template 3: Cremation / Celebration of Life

When there's no traditional funeral, the language shifts to reflect a memorial gathering instead.

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away peacefully on [Date]. [He/She/They] was born on [Date of Birth] in [Birthplace].

[Name] is remembered for [a few personal details — sense of humor, generosity, favorite pastime, love of family]. [He/She/They] is survived by [family members].

A celebration of life will be held on [date] at [time] at [location], where family and friends are welcome to share memories. Cremation has taken place privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to [charity].

Template 4: Veteran Obituary

Veterans' obituaries often include service branch, rank, and conflict era, and may reference military honors at the service.

[Full Name], [age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date]. [He/She/They] proudly served in the [Branch of Service] from [years], including [conflict/deployment, if known], and was honorably discharged as a [rank].

[He/She/They] later worked as a [occupation] and is survived by [family members].

A funeral service with military honors will be held on [date] at [time] at [location]. Burial will follow at [cemetery, noting if it is a veterans' cemetery].

The family thanks [VFW post, American Legion chapter, or VA office] for their support.

How Long Should an Obituary Be?

• Newspaper obituaries are often priced by the line or by the word, so families frequently keep them to 150-250 words.
• Funeral home website obituaries are usually free to post and can run 300-600 words comfortably without feeling padded.
• Social media posts work well anywhere from a few sentences to a few paragraphs.

A Note on Cost

Newspaper obituary pricing varies significantly by publication and region — some charge a flat fee, others by column inch or word count, and photos often add an extra charge. It's worth calling the newspaper directly or checking their online submission portal for current rates before finalizing your wording, since editing after submission can sometimes cost more.

Final Tips

• Read it aloud before submitting — awkward phrasing is easier to catch that way.
• Ask a family member to proofread names, dates, and spellings, since errors are hard to correct once published.
• Save a copy for your own records; you may need to reference details later for estate or benefits paperwork.

Published by Afterly Plan. This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.