Guide
How to write an obituary, with a fill-in template
An obituary tells people who died, what their life was like, and when and where to say goodbye. You don't need to be a writer. Start with a few facts and build from there.
Written by the designers at Mark My Life, who have made memorial booklets for families since 2015. Last updated October 9, 2026.
Six steps
Gather the facts
Full name (and any nickname), age, birth date and place, date of passing, where they lived, and the names of close family. Check each one with someone else.
Open with the essentials
The first sentence says who, when and, if you choose, where. Everything else can wait.
Tell a little of their life
Where they grew up, their work or calling, the people they loved, and what filled their days. One true detail, such as the song they always sang, says more than a list.
Name the family
Who they leave behind, and, if you wish, who went before them. Spell every name carefully.
Give the service details
Date, time, place, and whether there is a reception. If donations are welcome in their memory, say where to send them.
Read it aloud
If it sounds like them, it is finished. Ask someone who knew them to check the facts and the spelling.
A fill-in template
Copy this and replace the brackets. Cross out what doesn't apply.
[Full name], [age], of [town], passed away on [date]. Born on [date] in [place] to [parents' names], [he/she/they] [grew up / worked / served] [a short detail]. [He/She/They] loved [what they loved], and [a detail that shows who they were].
[Name] is survived by [spouse or partner], [children and grandchildren], and [others]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names].
A service will be held on [day, date] at [time] at [place]. [A reception will follow / In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [cause].]
An example
This is an invented example, to show the tone.
Walter Hayes, 82, of Springfield, passed away on March 3. Born in Chicago, Walter grew up in a house full of music. His father played the trumpet and his mother sang in the church choir. He spent forty years teaching music at Lincoln High School, where he led the marching band to six state titles.
Walter met his wife, Grace, at a dance in 1964. Together they raised three children in a home that was never quiet. He is survived by Grace; his children, Denise, Marcus and Paul; and seven grandchildren.
A service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Grace Church, with a reception to follow.
Where it goes in a funeral program
In a four-page booklet the obituary usually takes one of the two inside pages, next to the order of service or the photos. See what goes in a funeral program for the rest.
Common questions
How long should an obituary be?
Most are between 150 and 400 words: long enough for the main facts and a few details that make it personal. If the obituary will be printed in a booklet, check how much space the page has before you write.
What should I include in an obituary?
Their full name, age, and where they lived; the date and place of death if you wish; a short account of their life; the family they leave behind; and the service details. Add what they loved, because that is what people remember.
Do I have to say how they died?
No. Many families don't. It is your choice, and a sentence such as 'passed away peacefully' is enough if you want to say something.
Is there a credit line on the booklet?
Yes, a small one. New booklets carry a small "Made with markmylife.com" line on the back cover. You can remove it in one tap: in the editor, tap the line, then Delete (or use the three dots, then Delete from page). Undo brings it back.
Can I use old, faded family photos?
Yes. Add the photo, tap it, and choose Enhance photo. A faded print gets its color and contrast back, and any other photo gets balanced color, less grain and a little sharpening. It runs in your browser and your original is always kept. It does not repair tears, scratches or blur.
Can the Writing Tool write the obituary for me?
It can draft one from a few details you give it, check your spelling and grammar, or reword a passage in a warmer or more formal tone. Every suggestion is a draft for you to read and change, because only you know how they sounded.