1. Gather the facts before shaping the story
Write down the person’s full name, the name they commonly used, their city, and the date of death. Age and birth details are optional unless the publisher requires them. Confirm spelling and dates with someone who can verify them.
Gather family names, meaningful work or community roles, interests, and one or two specific memories. Keep service information in a separate note until the organizer confirms it.
- Confirm names and pronouns.
- Check any dates, job titles, or military details.
- Ask which information the family wants public.
2. Write a clear opening
A factual opening can be enough: “Full name, age, of city, died on date.” You can use “passed away” if the family prefers. A story-led opening is also possible, especially for a personal memorial, but readers should still be able to find the essential facts.
Do not add a cause of death, “peacefully,” or “surrounded by family” merely because those phrases appear in other obituaries. Include them only when accurate and agreed.
3. Choose the details that feel like them
Instead of filling the page with adjectives, describe something recognizable: the neighbor who repaired everyone’s bicycles, the friend who sent postcards, or the parent who loved learning a new language. A concrete detail helps readers remember a person rather than a formula.
Work and education can be included, but they are not required. A person’s relationships, interests, values, and ordinary routines can be just as meaningful. If the relationship was difficult, neutral facts and respectful wording are enough.
4. List family and loved ones thoughtfully
“Survived by” introduces people who are still living. “Preceded in death by” introduces people who died earlier. Keep the two groups clear, and ask another person to verify names and relationships.
There is no universal order that every family must follow. Include partners, blended families, close friends, and chosen family where appropriate. Do not publish sensitive family history merely to explain the list.
5. Add confirmed service and remembrance details
For a public event, include its type, date, time, location, and relevant attendance instructions. Include a time zone for online participation. Check any donation link with the intended organization before publishing it.
If plans are undecided, say so. If the family is gathering privately, state that clearly. Avoid private home addresses or private meeting links unless the hosts explicitly want them shared.
6. Review it with someone you trust
Read the text aloud to find awkward wording. Ask a second reader to check facts rather than only style. It is easier to catch a misspelled name or incorrect time before the obituary has been distributed.
Check the publication’s word limit, submission process, deadlines, fees, and proofing policy. This site creates a draft; it does not submit or publish it on your behalf.
- Remove every bracketed template prompt.
- Confirm the public/private status of the memorial.
- Review privacy choices and obtain appropriate agreement.
- Save a local copy of the final version.