How to write an obituary with template

Writing an obituary is a wonderful opportunity to honour the life of a loved one and share their story with others who may not have had the chance to know all that there is to know about them. However, like many people, the pressure of capturing someone's entire life into one notice can be a daunting one.  

In this article, we want to help guide you through the process of writing an obituary with a template and provide some helpful tips along the way.

What is an obituary?

An obituary is an opportunity to celebrate the life of the person who has passed away and share their life story with others. The notice is published in a newspaper or online and provides details about their life, achievements and interests as well as information about their funeral or memorial service.

Why should you write an obituary? 

An obituary serves as a notice to  inform friends, family and the wider community of a person's passing. It provides an opportunity to celebrate the person's life, share their story and can also help family and friends process their grief and remember their loved one in a positive way.

Honouring your loved one

Writing an obituary is a way to honour your loved one's life. It can also help you to process your grief and remember them in a positive way. As you write the obituary, take some time to reflect on their life and the impact they had on you and those around them. Think about their personality, achievements and their interests - what made them special. 

The importance of sharing your loved one's story

When you write an obituary, you're not only informing people of your loved one's passing,  you're also sharing their story and giving others a chance to celebrate their life. This can be especially important for those who may not have had the opportunity to know your loved one personally. By reading their obituary, they can learn about their achievements, interests and the impact they had on those around them. This can be a powerful way to honour their memory and keep their legacy alive.

Obituary template

When writing an obituary, it's helpful to use a template as a guide. This can help you include all the necessary information and that your obituary is well-structured. Here's an example obituary template:

Highlight their achievements

Share some of your loved one's achievements including their career, education or volunteer work. This can give those in attendance  a sense of your loved one's accomplishments and the impact they had on their community.

Share their interests

Include some details about your loved one's interests and hobbies. This can give people a sense of their personality and what they enjoyed in life.

Mention their surviving family members

Include the names of the person's surviving family members, including their spouse, children, siblings and grandchildren. You may also want to include the names of close friends too.

Be sincere and empathetic 

Writing an obituary can be an emotional task and it's important to approach it with sincerity and empathy. 

Use second person context 

When writing an obituary make sure that you're speaking to the reader. Use second person context to make the reader feel as though you're talking to them directly.

Provide information about the funeral or memorial service 

Include details about the funeral or memorial service including the date, time and location. This can give readers an opportunity to pay their respects and honour your loved one's memory.  

Coping with Grief

Writing an obituary can be a difficult task, especially when you're already coping with grief. It's important to take care of yourself and seek support from family and friends during this time. Don't be afraid to ask for help with writing the obituary if you need it.

Writing an obituary can be a meaningful way to honour your loved one's life and share their story with others. Your loved one's memory will live on through your words and the impact they had on the lives of those around them.