Obituary Examples: Good, Simple, and Meaningful Templates

Writing an obituary for someone you love is one of the most difficult writing tasks you will ever face. It helps to see examples. Below are three complete sample obituaries in different styles, along with guidance on what makes each one work.

What Makes a Good Obituary

A good obituary does more than list facts. It captures something true about the person. The best obituaries include specific details that bring the person to life on the page: a hobby they loved, a phrase they always said, the way they made people feel. These details are what readers remember.

Structure helps too. Most obituaries follow a familiar pattern: full name and age, date and place of death, a summary of their life, surviving family members, and service details. Within that structure, you have room to make it personal. The examples below show how different families approached the same basic format in their own way.

There is no wrong way to write an obituary as long as it is honest and respectful. A short, simple obituary can be just as meaningful as a long, detailed one. What matters is that it sounds like the person it describes.

Short Obituary Example

"Margaret Ann Sullivan, 82, of Portland, Oregon, passed away on February 18, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born in Spokane, Washington, Margaret was a retired schoolteacher who spent 35 years shaping young minds at Lincoln Elementary."

"She loved crossword puzzles, hummingbirds, and her legendary banana bread, which she baked for every neighbor who moved onto her street. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Sullivan of Portland; her son, Michael Sullivan of Boise; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, in 2019."

"A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Portland Public Library."

This obituary is approximately 130 words. It is concise but includes personal details (crossword puzzles, banana bread) that make Margaret feel real to anyone reading it.

Traditional Full Obituary Example

"James Edward Carter, 71, of Nashville, Tennessee, died on March 3, 2026, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on June 14, 1954, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Edward and Dorothy Carter, James grew up on his family's farm in Shelby County before attending the University of Tennessee, where he earned a degree in civil engineering."

"James spent his career building bridges, both literally and figuratively. He worked for 38 years with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, overseeing the construction and maintenance of dozens of bridges and highways across the state. His colleagues knew him as a man who showed up early, left late, and never asked anyone to do something he was not willing to do himself."

"Outside of work, James was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He coached Little League for 12 years, served as a deacon at First Baptist Church, and could be found most Saturday mornings at his workbench in the garage, building something for someone. He made rocking chairs for each of his grandchildren and a porch swing for every neighbor who asked."

"He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Carter; his children, Sarah Carter Thompson (David) of Knoxville and James Carter Jr. (Emily) of Nashville; and five grandchildren: Lily, Owen, Grace, Ethan, and Sophie. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, William Carter."

"A celebration of life service will be held on March 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church, 108 Main Street, Nashville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network."

This obituary is approximately 280 words. It follows a traditional structure while including personal details that make James memorable: the bridges, the rocking chairs, the early mornings.

Celebration of Life Obituary Example

"If you knew Diane Reeves, you knew her laugh. It was the kind that started in her belly and filled every room she walked into. Diane, 64, of San Diego, California, died on January 22, 2026, doing what she always did best: making plans. She had just booked a trip to Portugal with her best friend when she suffered a sudden cardiac event at home."

"Diane was born on August 3, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. She moved to California in 1985 and never looked back, though she never stopped talking about deep dish pizza. She worked in real estate for 30 years, not because she loved houses but because she loved people and their stories. Every open house was a chance to meet someone new."

"She was a terrible cook and a great dancer. She read three books a week. She called her mother every single day until her mother passed in 2020. She believed that dessert should always come first and that there was no problem that could not be improved by a walk on the beach."

"She is survived by her daughter, Emma Reeves; her son, Jack Reeves; her sister, Laura Reeves Finch; and a wide circle of friends who all believed they were her best friend, because she made every person feel that way."

"A celebration of life will be held on February 1, 2026, at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego. Wear something colorful. Bring a story. No black allowed."

This obituary is approximately 260 words. It breaks from the traditional format by leading with personality rather than facts, which is appropriate for a celebration of life style tribute.

Tips for Personalizing Any Obituary

• Start with a specific detail or story rather than a generic statement. "Margaret loved crossword puzzles" is better than "Margaret was a wonderful person."
• Include at least one thing the person was known for, whether it was a skill, a habit, a phrase, or a quality
• Mention relationships by name when possible, as it personalizes the obituary and acknowledges specific people who mattered
• Read it out loud before publishing. If it sounds like it could describe anyone, add more specific details
• Do not feel pressured to include the cause of death. That is the family's choice and either approach is appropriate
• If the person had a sense of humor, let that come through. A warm, funny obituary can be a beautiful tribute