How to Write an Obituary: A Complete Guide for 2025

One of the most difficult moments of life is losing a loved one. And when you are telling the people about the person’s demise, it’s hard to write and know where to start. Writing an obituary is a heartfelt way to honour their memory and share the story of their life

It’s a chance to reflect on what they are in their life, how they spent their life and how good they are as human beings, reflect on what made them special, express your feelings of love and loss, and create a lasting tribute. An obituary serves as a public memorial. A way to bring together family, friends, and the community to remember the good times, their achievements, and the impact they had on those around them.

Your words show what makes them unique and deeply loved. If you are not sure where to start and what to write, don’t worry. This guide will walk you through every step. Let’s learn with us how to add the right words and give a personal touch to the obituary. Whether writing for your parents, siblings or the loved one close to your heart, this guide will help you craft a beautiful and meaningful tribute that truly reflects their life in words.

Remember, writing an obituary is more than the announcement; it’s your way of keeping their memories alive and sharing their story with the world.

Understanding the Purpose of an Obituary

An Obituary is not just a notice of the death of someone; it’s also a celebration of their life, along with the people who love that person. A very meaningful writing highlighting the details of who they are and what kind of personality they have. Also, their relationship with family, friends and loved ones. It’s a special way to honour their legacy and give friends and family a chance to remember good times and memories they share 

What Is the Proper Format for an Obituary?

You must create the right format for an obituary. A well-structured obituary will help write a clear, respectful, and meaningful tribute. Let’s discuss the details below that most of the obituaries include;

• Headline or Opening Line:

The heading or the opening line should be very well written with the proper details. 

For example
With deep pain and sorrow, we announce the passing of [Full Name], who left us at the age of [Age].

• Biographical Details:

When writing an Obituary, make sure that it always begins with some basic biographical details, which help draw a clear picture of your loved one’s life and background.

For example
[Full Name], born on [Date of Birth] in [Place of Birth], passed away peacefully on [Date of Death] at [Place of Death]. [First Name] was [Age] years old at the time of their passing.

• Highlights of Life:

Next, it’s meaningful to share highlights of your loved one’s life, also the things that made them truly special and the memories they leave behind 

For example
Throughout their life, [First Name] was known for their [kindness, resilience, and dedication]. As a [profession, occupation], they made a powerful impact in [field or community]. [First Name] was passionate about [pastimes or hobbies] and dedicated their time to [achievements, charitable causes, or special projects]. They were [mention any awards, recognitions, or milestones] and will be remembered for [specific contributions or qualities].

• Family Information:

Sharing the details about the close family members shows the deep connections they had throughout their lives.

For example

[First Name] is survived by [list living relatives: spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, etc.]. They were predeceased by [list deceased relatives: spouse, parents, siblings, etc.]. Their family remains forever grateful for the love, guidance, and joy they provided during their lifetime.

• Service Details:

Including the service details when writing the Obituary is important to bring the community, friends, and family together in remembrance of your loved one. 

For example
A funeral/memorial service to celebrate [First Name]’s life will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Location]. All are welcome to attend to honor their memory and legacy.
For those unable to attend, the service will be [live-streamed/available online].

Additional Details:
In place of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to [charity or organization] in [First Name]’s memory.
The family also expresses thanks to [individuals, institutions, or the caregivers] for the care and support given during this difficult time.

• Closing:

When closing, it’s important to share a loving message that will honour your loved one.

For example
[First Name] will be dearly missed by all who knew them. Their memory will live on in the hearts of their family and friends. As they always said, “[Favourite quote or personal saying].”

What Is the Best Opening Line for an Obituary?

The god and the heartfelt opening lines can set the tone of the obituary; this will help draw readers to understand the emotions and importance of the person being remembered.

For example

Our hearts are heavy as we share the news of our dear brother’s death.

When writing an obituary for someone very special, like a parent, sibling, husband or wife, the opening line should reflect their personality and role in life.

How Do You Write a Heartfelt Obituary?

When writing a heartfelt obituary, it means that you’re capturing the true colours of the departed spirit. Here are some tips that will be very helpful; 

• Use honest language that reflects who they are.
• Share personal stories and memories that show their unique personality.
• Highlight their passions, hobbies, and important achievements they have done.
• Mention their roles with their families, friends and community.
• Include quotes and favourite sayings.

For example, instead of writing a general statement, you should write in a more personal way.
“Sarah  was a loving mother, dedicated teacher, and an avid gardener who brought joy to everyone’s life whom she met.”

How to Write an Obituary for a Family Member

When writing an obituary for a family member like your parent, spouse or child. It’s very important to highlight their unique qualities and the love they gave to other people 

The tone of writing should be very respectful. 

Obituary for a Parent

David Michael, age 82, of Springfield, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, he dedicated his life to his family and community. His kindness, love, and support will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Obituary for a Sibling

Our beloved sister, Sarah, 45, of Springfield, left us on May 15, 2025. Sarah was a bright light, full of love and laughter, always there to help others. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Obituary for a Brother

With heavy hearts, we are announcing the passing of our dear brother, Michael, age 50. Michael was a caring brother, a loyal friend, and a passionate musician. His joyful spirit and generous heart touched everyone he met.”

Obituary for a Son

We are grieving the death of our beloved 22-year-old son, David Lee, who unexpectedly passed away on May 15, 2025. David was a kind person, a gifted athlete, and an intelligent student. We will always miss his warmth and fun.

Obituary for Husband and Father

James Robert Wilson, age 74, of Willow Creek, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2025. He was a loving husband to Margaret Wilson, a dedicated father, and a cherished member of our community. His love will be remembered forever.

What About Obituaries When There Is No Service?

Sometimes, families choose to write an obituary with no funeral service. In such cases, it’s still important to include essential details about the deceased and mention that no formal service will be held.

Example

“[Name], age [age], of [location], passed away peacefully on 2025. There will be no formal service. Family and friends are invited to remember [him/her] in their way.”

This allows for a respectful tribute without the expectation of a public ceremony.

They pay tribute to the deceased.

Final Tips for Writing a Heartfelt Obituary

• Be Honest and Respectful: Make sure to share genuine memories and qualities of a person.
• Keep It Clear and Concise: always focus on key details and meaningful stories happening in their life.
• Include Photos or Quotes: These personal touches create a more heartfelt tribute.
• Check Details Carefully: Make sure names, dates, and information are correct..
• Seek Input from Family: work together to make sure the obituary truly reflects your loved one’s life.

Conclusion

To sum up, writing an obituary is a very kind way to remember someone you love. You create a lasting memory by talking about what made them special, what they did, and how they made others feel. Using the right format and including important details makes the obituary clear and respectful. Adding personal stories helps show who they were, making the goodbye more meaningful. No matter for whom you are writing, it can be for a parent, sibling, or close friend, this guide gives you what you need to write a loving obituary that celebrates their life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main purpose of an obituary?

An obituary serves as both a death notice and a celebration of life. It honors the memory of a loved one by sharing their story, achievements, and the impact they had on family and community.

2. What should be included in a proper obituary format?

A well-written obituary typically includes:

• Opening line/announcement of passing
• Biographical details (birth, death, age, location)
• Life highlights and accomplishments
• Family information (survived by/predeceased by)
• Service details (if any)
• Closing tribute or personal message

3. How do I start writing an obituary?

Begin with a heartfelt opening line that announces the passing respectfully. For example: “With great sadness, we announce the passing of [Name], who left us on [Date] at the age of [Age].”

4. Can I write a personal message or memory in the obituary?

Yes, adding personal stories, quotes, or meaningful memories helps reflect the true personality of your loved one and makes the tribute more heartfelt.

5. What’s the best tone to use when writing an obituary?

Use a respectful, sincere, and loving tone. The obituary should reflect the character and spirit of the person while remaining appropriate for all people.

6. What if there is no funeral or memorial service?

You can still write a meaningful obituary and include a line such as:
“There will be no formal service. Family and friends are invited to remember [him/her] in their way.”

7. How can I personalize an obituary for different family members?

Focus on the unique role the person had in your life:

• For a parent: Highlight their love, guidance, and legacy.
• For a sibling: Mention shared childhood, closeness, and memories.
• For a spouse or partner: Speak of the love and life you built together.
• For a child: Share their personality, dreams, and the joy they brought.