Writing an obituary is one of the most meaningful – and most difficult – things you may ever do.
If you’re here because you’re asking, “How do I write an obituary?”, know this: there is no perfect format. But there is a structure that makes it easier.
Whether you’re writing an obituary for a parent, a partner, a grandparent, or even preparing your own in advance, the task carries emotional weight. You want to honor a life properly. You want to find the right words. And at the same time, you may feel overwhelmed, grieving, or simply unsure where to begin.
We’ll walk you through what to include in an obituary, how to phrase it naturally, and provide obituary examples you can adapt.
What Is an Obituary?
An obituary is a written notice of someone’s death that shares key details about their life, family, and funeral arrangements.
Traditionally published in newspapers, obituaries are now also shared online, on memorial pages, and with extended family and friends. But beyond that, an obituary is something more personal. A way to say: This life mattered.
What to Include in an Obituary
You can include anything you find relevant or interesting about the person in an obituary.
Most obituaries follow a simple flow. You don’t need to write something elaborate. Clear and sincere is enough.
1) Start with basic information: the person’s full name, age, place of residence, and date of death. Many families include the cause of death, but this is optional and entirely personal.
2) Move into their life story. Where were they born? What did they do professionally? What did they love? What defined them as a person? This is the heart of the obituary – not a résumé, but a glimpse into who they truly were.
3) After that, mention close family members. Traditionally, you list surviving relatives first, followed by those who passed before them.
4) Finally, include funeral or memorial details if relevant: date, location, and any requests such as donations in lieu of flowers.
That’s it. Simple. Honest. Human. 💜
How to Write an Obituary for a Parent
Writing an obituary for a mother or father can feel especially overwhelming. You are not just writing a formal announcement. You are writing about someone who shaped your entire life.
If you’re unsure where to begin, start with this question:
What will I miss most about them?
Was it their humor? Their steady advice? The way they made Sunday mornings feel safe? Personal touches make an obituary feel alive.
For example:
Emilie Bloom, 72, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, surrounded by her family in Toronto.
Born in Huntsville, Emilie dedicated her life to caring for others, first as a nurse, later as the heart of her family. She was known for her warm kitchen, her strong coffee, and her unwavering support of everyone she loved.
Notice how this doesn’t try too hard. It simply tells the truth about who she was.
Short Obituary Example
If you need something concise, e.g. for a newspaper announcement or funeral program, here is a shorter format:
Thomas Weber, 58, of Hamburg, passed away on February 12, 2026.
Thomas was a devoted husband, father, and friend who loved sailing and long conversations by the sea. He is survived by his wife Anna and his children Lukas and Marie.
A memorial service will be held on February 20 at St. Michael’s Church.
Short is not lesser. It can still be deeply meaningful.
Writing an Obituary in Advance
More people are now choosing to write their own obituary as part of end-of-life planning. This can feel unusual at first, but it offers something powerful: clarity.
Writing your own obituary allows you to decide how your life will be remembered. It also relieves your family of the pressure of finding the right words during grief.
If you are preparing your obituary in advance, you might reflect on:
What values defined your life?
What relationships mattered most?
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Many families now choose to store these reflections privately, alongside funeral wishes, digital legacy information, and memory archives, so everything is accessible when needed.
Many families now choose Meolea to prepare important documents in advance and keep them securely organized in one place. An obituary draft is often part of a broader end-of-life plan that includes funeral wishes, digital accounts, and legacy instructions.
How Meolea Helps You Write and Preserve an Obituary
Writing an obituary is not only about finding the right words. It is also about knowing that those words are stored safely, accessible when needed, and connected to the rest of your wishes.
Meolea provides a private space where you can:
Draft and edit an obituary at your own pace
Reflect on life story chapters and key memories
Store funeral wishes alongside the obituary
Keep everything secure and accessible for trusted family members
Instead of starting from a blank page during grief, families can rely on structured guidance and preserved reflections.
Whether you are preparing in advance or writing during a difficult time, having everything organized in one place can make an overwhelming moment feel more manageable.
[Create your private space in Meolea →]
Where to Publish an Obituary
Today, obituaries can be published in several places:
Newspapers remain common, especially for local communities. Funeral homes often host online memorial pages. Families may create private or public digital memorial spaces.
Increasingly, people want more than a short announcement. They want a place to preserve photos, stories, voice recordings, and life chapters — not just a paragraph.
That’s why many families combine a traditional obituary with a digital memory archive, so future generations can access more than just a printed notice.
💡 You can create a secure space in Meolea and begin drafting privately, at your own pace.
If You’re Feeling Stuck
Grief can make writing difficult. If you find yourself staring at a blank page, try speaking instead of typing. Record yourself talking about the person. Then transcribe it. Often, the most natural words come when you speak from memory.
You can also begin with a simple sentence:
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of…”
From there, let the rest follow gently.
Meolea Makes Obituary Writing Simple
Meolea allows you to write and store your obituary privately, update it whenever you wish, and keep it safe for the people who matter most. You can start quietly. No pressure. Just a place to preserve what matters.
