Obituary Examples and Writing Tips

Use vivid, specific language

Vague language makes an obituary feel generic, while specific details make it memorable.

Avoid: "He was a good person who loved his family and enjoyed outdoor activities."

Better: "He was the first one up on Sunday mornings, making pancakes for whoever showed up: his kids, grandkids, their friends. He taught them all to fish before they could read."

Show, don't tell

Instead of saying someone was generous or funny, give an example that demonstrates it.

Avoid: "Margaret was known for her generosity and kindness."

Better: "Margaret would show up unannounced at friends' homes when she heard they were struggling, armed with home-cooked meals and a willingness to listen for hours."

Include a favorite saying or bit of dialogue

If your loved one had a catchphrase or a witty way of putting things, include it. It brings them back to life on the page.

"When anyone asked how he was doing, Frank would say, 'Better than I deserve,' and he meant it."

"Watching a sunset over the ocean, Mom would say, 'This is the good stuff right here.' She lived like she believed it."

Structural approaches to try

There is more than one way to organize a tribute; pick whichever fits how you think about the person.

• The timeline approach: organize by decades or life phases, from childhood through career to retirement
• The passion-centered approach: organize by what they cared about, jumping between family, career, and hobbies
• The relationship approach: lead with "wife," "father," "mentor," or "friend," then expand outward from there
• The accomplishments arc: start with major achievements, then show the person behind them

Example passages for different life stories

The devoted parent and grandparent:

"Mary's greatest pride was her four children and nine grandchildren. She attended every recital, every game, every graduation. Sunday dinners at her table were loud, chaotic, and full of laughter."

The career pioneer:

"Dr. James Chen was the first in his family to attend university, then medical school, then to establish a research lab. Colleagues remembered him most for his accessibility: his office door was always open."

The community volunteer:

"For 25 years, Betty ran the church food bank from her garage. Neighbors received her genuine interest in their lives along with their groceries."

The devoted spouse:

"For 62 years, Margaret and George were inseparable. When asked how she managed the hard days, she would say, 'He'd do the same for me. That's what love is.'"

Handling sensitive topics gracefully

Death is difficult, and an obituary sometimes needs to handle sensitive topics with care, without going into detail that does not feel right for the family.

• Mental health struggles: "She struggled with depression throughout her life, but she was determined not to let it define her. She was brave, not broken."
• Estrangement or complicated relationships: "He was closest to his four children and their families; those who knew him best felt deeply loved by him, and that's what mattered."
• Addiction and recovery: "He struggled with alcoholism for fifteen years, then spent the next twenty-five sober, helping others find the same path."
• A shorter life than expected: "Though her life was shorter than any of us wanted, it was full: she crammed adventure, love, and kindness into 34 years."

Writing from different perspectives

Who is writing often shapes what feels most natural to include.

• Writing as a child about a parent: emphasize their guidance, what they taught you, and how they showed up for you
• Writing as a spouse: emphasize your shared history, inside jokes, and how your life has changed
• Writing as a friend or mentor: emphasize how they impacted you personally or professionally, and specific acts of kindness
• Writing as a sibling: emphasize shared childhood memories and their role in the family as you both grew up
• Writing collaboratively with other family members: make sure each voice gets heard; different favorite memories usually make the tribute richer, not repetitive

Questions to jumpstart your writing

If you are stuck, try answering a few of these before you open the generator: what made them laugh; what were they doing when they were happiest; who would they call with good news; what skill or knowledge felt special to them; how did they treat people; what surprised people about them; what do you wish the world knew about them; and how would they want to be remembered? See the full step-by-step writing guide for how to turn these answers into a finished tribute, section by section.