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Understanding the Purpose and Importance of an Obituary

An obituary is a published notice that announces someone's death and shares information about their life. It serves several important purposes for families and communities. Obituaries appear in newspapers, online news sites, funeral home websites, and social media platforms. They inform the public about a person's passing and provide details about funeral services, memorial events, and surviving family members.

Obituaries have been published for centuries as a way to honor people who have died and help communities acknowledge their loss. Today, they remain one of the most read sections of newspapers. According to the Pew Research Center, obituary sections are among the most-visited parts of news websites, with readers spending significant time reading about local community members.

Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming, especially when you're grieving. Many families struggle with deciding what to include, how much detail is appropriate, and how to capture someone's essence in a few paragraphs. Some people worry about making mistakes or leaving out important information. Others aren't sure about the tone—whether to be formal or personal, serious or warm.

An informational guide to writing obituaries can walk you through the process step-by-step. It can help you understand what information is typically included, how to organize your thoughts, and ways to express your feelings about the person who died. The guide can also explain different styles of obituaries and show examples of how other families have written about their loved ones.

Practical takeaway: Before writing, think about the main purpose of your obituary—is it primarily to announce the death and funeral details, or do you want it to be a celebration of the person's life and accomplishments? This decision will help guide what you include and how you write it.

Essential Information to Include in an Obituary

A well-written obituary contains specific factual information that readers expect to find. The basic elements include the person's full name, age at death, date of death, and place of death. You should also include the date and place of birth. This biographical information forms the foundation of any obituary and helps readers understand who the person was and when they lived.

Beyond the basics, obituaries typically include information about the person's family. This usually means listing surviving family members such as spouse, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Many obituaries also mention family members who died before the person, called "preceded in death" information. For example: "He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Smith, and his brother Thomas."

Career and educational background are common elements in obituaries. This might include the person's profession, major employers, years of work, or significant career achievements. For someone who didn't work outside the home, you might mention their role as a homemaker, volunteer, or caregiver. Educational details such as college degrees or specialized training can also be included if relevant.

Obituaries frequently highlight hobbies, interests, and passions. These personal details help paint a picture of who the person was beyond their job or family role. For example, you might mention that someone loved gardening, was an avid reader, enjoyed fishing, or volunteered at the local animal shelter. These details make obituaries feel more personal and memorable.

Practical information about services is essential. Include the date, time, and location of any funeral service, memorial service, or celebration of life. Add details about visitation hours if applicable. If the family is asking for memorial contributions to a charity or organization instead of flowers, include that information. Also include the name of the funeral home handling arrangements, along with their phone number or website if readers need more details.

Practical takeaway: Create a checklist of all the factual information you need to gather before you start writing. Contact family members to confirm dates, correct spellings of names, and gather details about the person's life. Having accurate information organized before you begin writing will make the process smoother and help you avoid errors.

Different Styles and Lengths of Obituaries

Obituaries come in many different lengths and styles, and the right choice depends on your family's wishes, budget, and the publication where it will appear. Understanding these options helps you decide what works best for your situation.

Brief obituaries are short announcements, usually 50 to 150 words. These typically include just the essential information: the person's name, age, date of death, immediate family members, and funeral service details. Brief obituaries are common in newspapers where families pay by the word or line. They're straightforward and factual, announcing the death without much personal detail. Many newspapers offer a basic obituary format as part of funeral home services.

Standard obituaries are longer, typically 300 to 500 words. These include the basic information plus details about the person's life, career, education, hobbies, and personality. Standard obituaries tell more of the person's story while remaining reasonably concise. They're common in most newspapers and are often what families choose when they want to honor someone's life while keeping costs reasonable.

Full-length or life stories are the longest format, sometimes running 800 to 2,000 words or more. These read more like biographical articles than announcements. They include extensive personal history, anecdotes, details about relationships, memorable moments, and the person's impact on family and community. Some families publish these on funeral home websites or in online obituary platforms where word count isn't limited by printing costs. These lengthy obituaries often become treasured family documents.

Themed or creative obituaries take a different approach. Some families write in first person, as if the deceased person is speaking. Others use humor, poetry, or a narrative story structure. These unique approaches can reflect the person's personality or wishes. For example, a person who loved puns might appreciate an obituary written with clever wordplay. However, creative approaches require careful balance—they should still be respectful while reflecting the person's spirit.

Practical takeaway: Consider where the obituary will be published and whether there are word limits or costs involved. Check with your newspaper or funeral home about their obituary options and pricing. This will help you decide what length and style makes sense for your family and budget.

How to Organize and Structure Your Obituary

A well-organized obituary flows logically and reads smoothly. Most obituaries follow a similar structure, which helps readers find the information they expect. Understanding this typical structure makes writing your own obituary easier.

The opening, called the lede in journalism, usually contains the person's name, age, location where they died, and the date of death. This answers the basic "who, what, where, and when" questions immediately. For example: "Jane Marie Thompson, 84, of Springfield, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2024, at Riverside Hospital." Some obituaries add a cause of death here, while others mention it later or leave it out entirely—this is a family choice.

The next section typically includes information about surviving family members and sometimes those who preceded the person in death. This section establishes family relationships and helps community members who knew the person understand their family structure. It might read: "She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert Thompson; three children; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother William."

The middle sections provide the narrative of the person's life. This is where you include educational background, career history, military service, community involvement, hobbies, and personality traits. Rather than listing everything randomly, organize these sections chronologically (childhood through later life) or by importance (career achievements, then hobbies, then volunteer work). This helps the obituary tell a coherent story rather than feeling like a disconnected list.

Near the end, include service information: dates, times, locations, and any special requests. This might include: "A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on March 25 at First Methodist Church, 450 Oak Street. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association." Include the funeral home name and contact information if readers need details.

The closing often includes a brief final thought—a summary statement, favorite quote, or simple closing. Some families end with a quote the person loved, a line about their life philosophy, or a warm closing like "She will be greatly missed" or "We celebrate a life well-lived."

Practical takeaway: Write down the major sections of information you want to include, then arrange them in a logical order before you start writing full sentences