Executive Summary

Writing a compelling obituary is a skill that funeral directors must master. A well-crafted obituary honors the deceased, provides meaningful information to the community, generates referrals through visibility, and offers families a professional presentation of their loved one's life. This guide provides a complete framework for obituary writing, including a proven template, step-by-step process, and multiple examples.

Key Finding: Research by the Funeral Consumers Alliance shows that professionally written obituaries result in 34% higher family satisfaction compared to accepting family submissions as-is. Additionally, well-written obituaries receive 40% more views and generate 2.5x more referrals through visibility and word-of-mouth.

Understanding Obituary Structure and Purpose

Before writing, understand that obituaries serve multiple audiences simultaneously:

  • The Family: A permanent, public tribute to their loved one
  • The Community: Notification of death and information about services
  • Search Engines: Content that should rank for the deceased's name and location
  • Media Outlets: Information for press coverage and archival records
  • Historical Record: Content that will be indexed and referenced for decades

The Universal Obituary Template

Use this proven structure as your foundation. Adapt based on the deceased's life circumstances, but maintain this logical flow:

[First Name] [Middle Name] [Last Name], [age], of [city], passed away on [date] after [cause/time frame, if appropriate].

[CORE BIOGRAPHICAL PARAGRAPH: Born on [date] in [city/state], [he/she] was the [only child/eldest/middle/youngest] of [parents' names]. Graduated from [school name] in [year].]

[PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Career details, positions held, achievements, organizations led, professional recognitions.]

[PERSONAL QUALITIES & PASSIONS: Personality traits, hobbies, interests, volunteer work, community involvement, memberships.]

[FAMILY LEGACY: Spouse, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren with names. May include information about family traditions or values passed down.]

[SERVICE INFORMATION: Service date/time, location, any special instructions (flowers, donations, etc.). Funeral home name and website.]

Step-by-Step Obituary Writing Process

Step 1: Gather Comprehensive Information

Conduct a structured interview with family members, using these key questions:

  • Birth Information: Full legal name, maiden names, birth date, birth place
  • Parents: Full names (including parents' maiden names), occupations if notable
  • Education: Schools attended, degrees earned, academic honors
  • Career: Jobs held (with dates), positions, achievements, recognitions, retirement information
  • Military Service: Branch, years served, rank, honors (if applicable)
  • Volunteer Work: Organizations, roles, years of service
  • Interests/Hobbies: Specific activities the deceased enjoyed, any accomplishments in these areas
  • Family: Spouse's name, children (with birth years and accomplishments if notable), grandchildren count
  • Survivors: Who remains (specific names and relationships)
  • Predeceased: Who preceded them in death
  • Special Circumstances: Unique life events, challenges overcome, special traditions

Step 2: Identify the Headline & Opening Hook

The opening line must immediately establish the person's identity and significance. Rather than simply stating death, create an opening that reflects their life:

  • Professional Distinction: "Margaret Johnson, retired Chief Nursing Officer at County Hospital who transformed patient care protocols..."
  • Community Involvement: "Robert Chen, beloved volunteer firefighter and Little League coach for 35 years..."
  • Academic Achievement: "Dr. Patricia Williams, Professor Emerita of Biology who mentored three generations of scientists..."
  • Extraordinary Life: "James Morrison, who survived World War II, built three successful businesses, and never missed a grandchild's birthday..."

Step 3: Write the Core Narrative

After the opening line, develop chronologically through major life phases:

  • Early Life: Where they grew up, family context, early influences
  • Education: Schools, degrees, academic or athletic achievements
  • Career Path: First job through retirement, promotions, notable projects
  • Personal Passions: Hobbies, interests, volunteer commitments
  • Family Role: Spouse, children, grandchildren; family traditions or values they embodied

Step 4: Incorporate Specific, Concrete Details

Specific details bring obituaries to life. Compare these approaches:

GenericSpecific
"He had a successful career in business""He founded Morrison & Associates in 1982, growing the firm from 3 employees to 47 before his retirement in 2015"
"She loved gardening""She won the Riverside Garden Club's annual competition five consecutive years and maintained a perennial garden that bloomed from April through October"
"She was a devoted mother""She attended every school recital, soccer game, and science fair over 30 years, and established a scholarship fund in her children's names"

Step 5: Include Personality and Voice

Balance professional tone with authentic personality. Include a brief phrase that captures their essence:

  • "Known for his quick wit and terrible puns, he could make anyone laugh."
  • "She approached every task with meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to excellence."
  • "A voracious reader and lifelong learner, he spent Saturday mornings at the library and evening hours discussing philosophy with friends."
  • "She had an infectious enthusiasm for life and an uncanny ability to remember every birthday and special occasion."

Step 6: Format Service Information

Conclude with practical information families need:

Service Information Example:

A celebration of Margaret's life will be held Saturday, May 15th at 2:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church, 1245 Oak Street. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Children's Hospital Pediatric Care Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Complete Obituary Examples

Example 1: Professional With Community Leadership

William "Bill" James Patterson, 78, of Riverside passed away peacefully on April 10, 2025, surrounded by his family and 35 years of cherished memories in the home they built together.

Born January 14, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio, Bill was the oldest of four children born to Robert and Eleanor Patterson. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1964, where he was known for his leadership as class president and his devastating fastball on the baseball team. He attended Ohio University on a partial baseball scholarship, where he earned his degree in Business Administration in 1968.

After college, Bill joined Midwest Manufacturing, beginning as a production floor supervisor and advancing through a 42-year career to Vice President of Operations. He was instrumental in modernizing the company's supply chain, leading the successful transition to just-in-time manufacturing that increased efficiency by 34%. He mentored dozens of young managers and was known for his open-door policy and genuine interest in his employees' success.

Beyond his professional life, Bill was deeply committed to his community. He served on the Riverside Planning Commission for 18 years, helped establish the Riverside Youth Center, and coached Little League baseball for 22 consecutive seasons. His baseball teams won the district championship three times, though he was proudest of his 96% graduation rate among his players.

Bill met his wife, Susan, at a church social in 1969. Together they raised three children and welcomed nine grandchildren. He was famous among his grandchildren for his elaborate Fourth of July celebrations, his detailed model train layout in the basement, and his encyclopedic knowledge of baseball history.

A service celebrating Bill's life will be held Saturday, April 19, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 825 Riverside Drive. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Riverside Youth Center in Bill's name. Online condolences and memories may be shared at smithfuneralhome.com.

Example 2: Devoted Parent and Volunteer

Patricia "Patty" Marie Thompson, 82, of Maple Heights passed away on April 8, 2025, after a brief illness. She leaves behind a legacy of service, love, and the absolute certainty that you cannot have too many cookies.

Born August 22, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, Patty was the youngest of six children born to Michael and Anna Kowalski. After high school, she attended Mercy College, where she earned a nursing degree. She worked as a registered nurse at Riverside Hospital for 35 years, never missing an opportunity to comfort a frightened patient or hold the hand of someone facing difficult news.

Patty married David Thompson on June 15, 1963. Together they raised four children and, over the years, provided a second home for countless neighborhood kids. Her kitchen was always full of baking projects—she kept detailed recipe notebooks for each family member's favorite treats. She volunteered as a youth counselor at St. Catherine's Parish for 40 years, served on the hospital auxiliary board for 25 years, and was a Girl Scout leader for 18 consecutive years.

Though she battled arthritis for the last decade, Patty's spirit never wavered. She attended every grandchild's school event, kept a card calendar to ensure no family member's birthday went unacknowledged, and somehow found time to prepare elaborate holiday meals for 30+ family members year after year.

She is survived by her husband David, four children, twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Thomas.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Catherine's Church, 450 Church Street. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Smith Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Catherine's Youth Programs, continuing Patty's lifelong commitment to young people. Online condolences at smithfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Common Obituary Writing Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overly Vague Language: Avoid "he was a good man" in favor of specific examples showing goodness
  • Chronological Confusion: Maintain clear timeline progression; don't jump randomly between decades
  • Excluding Important Details: Don't leave out military service, significant achievements, or important relationships
  • Inappropriate Tone: Balance respect with personality; avoid either excessive sentimentality or coldness
  • Incomplete Family Information: Use full names, clarify relationships, include all survivors mentioned
  • Missing Search Optimization: Include full names, locations, and relevant keywords for search visibility

Optimizing Obituaries for Search Visibility

To maximize obituary visibility in search results:

  • Include the deceased's full legal name in the opening paragraph
  • Mention city/town prominently (appears in multiple searches)
  • Include key life achievements and roles in the first few sentences
  • Use natural language rather than abbreviations when first mentioned
  • Include relevant dates (birth year, service date) in proper format

Sacred Grounds obituary management features include professional templates, family interview guides, and built-in SEO optimization to ensure your obituaries reach the widest possible audience. Start creating professional obituaries today with our free tier.

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