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How to write an obituary: structure, tips and examples

May 5, 20262 min readEVERMIRA

An obituary is a short notice of a person’s passing and a tribute to their memory. Writing it can be hard, especially in the first days, so below is a clear structure, the right tone and ready examples.

Contents
  1. What an obituary is and why it matters
  2. What an obituary consists of
  3. What tone to choose
  4. Common mistakes

What an obituary is and why it matters

An obituary announces a person’s death and at the same time pays them respect. It informs relatives and acquaintances about what happened and about the time of the farewell, and helps express who the person was and how they will be remembered. Today an obituary is published not only in a newspaper but also in social networks, messengers and on a memorial page.

What an obituary consists of

A classic obituary includes the name and years of life, a brief notice of the passing, a few words about the personality and achievements, a mention of the family and, if needed, details of the farewell and ceremony. The length can range from two or three sentences to a short text — it depends on where it is published.

What tone to choose

The tone of an obituary is restrained, warm and respectful. Avoid dry bureaucratic wording and, on the other hand, excessive pathos. Simple, sincere words work best: one precise detail about the person touches more than a long list of merits.

Common mistakes

The most common mistakes are impersonality (text that would suit anyone), factual errors in dates and names, and overly formal language. Before publishing, reread the text and let someone close read it — a fresh eye helps catch inaccuracies.

  • State the full name and the years of life.
  • Add one or two living details about the person.
  • Check dates, names and the time of the farewell.
  • Read the text aloud — extra words become audible.

Frequently asked questions

How is an obituary different from an epitaph?
An obituary is a notice of passing and remembrance, written in the first days. An epitaph is a short inscription on the headstone, usually one or two lines.
Where to publish an obituary today?
In social networks, messengers, on funeral-service websites and on a digital memorial page, where the obituary is enriched with photos, stories and voice.

Create a memorial page

Create a memorial page in a few minutes — gently, beautifully and with respect for your loved ones. Free forever for the text version.

Create a memorial
If it is hard right now — you are not alone. In case of danger to life, call your local emergency number. Reach out to a crisis helpline in your country. More resources are on the support page.
EVERMIRA editors

We help families gently preserve the memory of their loved ones. The materials are written with respect for the subject of loss and are regularly updated. About · Support resources

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