Dr. Patricia Caldwell(click for bio)

Embrance Ambassador

How to Write an Obituary: Free AI Generator + Examples

My phone buzzed at 6 AM. It was the hospice nurse. Mom had passed peacefully overnight. Within two hours, a funeral director was asking me for something I'd never thought about: "We need the obituary by 3 PM for tomorrow's paper."

I had eight hours to summarize 78 years of a life. I stared at a blank screen and had no idea where to start.

If you're reading this, you're probably facing something similar. Maybe you need an obituary template to get started. Maybe you're looking for real obituary examples for inspiration. Either way, you're not alone—42% of families cite obituary writing as one of the most stressful tasks during funeral planning, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.

Here's what I want you to know: You don't need to be a writer. You just need to love them.

According to Legacy.com, over 2.5 million obituaries are published annually in the United States. That's 2.5 million families who have done exactly what you're about to do—and you can do it too.

"The act of writing an obituary is often the first step in processing loss. It forces us to articulate what made someone unique, which can be both healing and heartbreaking."

— Dr. Katherine Cole, Grief Counselor, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Not sure where to start? Our free AI obituary generator creates a personalized obituary based on your answers. Fill in as much or as little as you'd like—the more details you share, the more personal the result.

How it works: Enter basic information about your loved one, add family members and life details, then choose your preferred format and tone. The generator creates a complete obituary you can copy, edit, and publish anywhere.

"Families often feel pressure to write something profound. I tell them: the best obituaries read like you're introducing your loved one to a friend. Simple, specific, heartfelt."

— Marcus Webb, Funeral Director (30 years), Chicago, IL

An obituary is a published notice that combines biography, tribute, and logistics. It tells the story of someone's life while also sharing practical information about memorial services.

Think of an obituary as the last story you'll tell about someone to the world.

Obituary vs. Death Notice vs. Eulogy

Pro tip: You don't have to choose just one. Many families write a short death notice for the newspaper (to save money), a full obituary for the funeral home website, and a personal eulogy for the service.

Essential Information

Every obituary should include:

Common Additions

These elements make an obituary feel complete:

• Birthplace and parents — "Born in Galveston to Robert and Helen Mitchell"
• Education — Schools attended, degrees earned
• Career — Profession, notable positions, years of service
• Military service — Branch, years served, honors received
• Hobbies and passions — What they loved doing
• Church or organization memberships — Clubs, volunteer work
• Personality quirks — "Known for sneaking extra Jell-O to patients"

What NOT to Include

• Cause of death — Only include if the family specifically wants to
• Financial information — Never
• Unresolved family conflicts — Keep it dignified

Below are complete, ready-to-use obituaries—not templates with blanks. Read them for inspiration or use as a starting point.

Obituary Example for a Mother

Patricia Ann Morrison, 72, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on December 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 14, 1953, in Pueblo, Colorado, to James and Eleanor (née Sanchez) Rivera, Pat was the eldest of five children. She graduated from Centennial High School in 1971 and went on to earn her nursing degree from the University of Colorado.

Pat dedicated 40 years to nursing at University Hospital, where she was known for her fierce patient advocacy and her ability to make even the most frightened patients feel at ease. Her colleagues often joked that she could calm any crying baby with just a look and a song.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, David Morrison; her children, Jennifer Morrison-Garcia (Carlos) of Austin, Texas, and Michael Morrison of Denver; her grandchildren, Sofia, Liam, and Isabella; and her siblings, Maria, Robert, Diana, and Anthony.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 9, at 2:00 PM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Nurses Foundation.

Obituary Example for a Father

William "Bill" Edward Harrison, 68, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on October 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on February 8, 1957, in Savannah, Georgia, Bill was the son of Edward and Nancy (née Cooper) Harrison. He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering, where he met the love of his life, Susan.

Bill spent 35 years as a bridge engineer for the South Carolina Department of Transportation. He was justly proud that three bridges he designed still carry traffic today. "Every time you cross a bridge," he'd say, "someone like me made sure you'd get to the other side."

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan; his daughters, Catherine Harrison-O'Brien (Patrick) and Elizabeth Harrison; his grandchildren, Finn, Nora, and baby Harrison due in March; and his sister, Patricia Harrison-Lynne.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 21, at 11:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity.

Obituary Example for a Grandmother

Margaret "Maggie" Ellen Thompson, 84, of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born on March 22, 1941, in Galveston, Texas, to Robert and Helen (née Sullivan) Mitchell, Maggie was the second of four children. She graduated from Ball High School in 1959 and earned her nursing degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Maggie worked as an RN at St. David's Hospital for 35 years, touching countless lives with her warm bedside manner and legendary sense of humor. She was known for sneaking extra Jell-O to patients who needed cheering up.

An avid gardener, Maggie could often be found tending to her prize-winning roses or teaching neighborhood children how to identify butterflies. She was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for over 40 years.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas "Tommy" Thompson; her children, Sarah Thompson-Miller (James) of Dallas and Michael Thompson (Rebecca) of Denver; five grandchildren, Emma, Olivia, Jacob, Ethan, and Lily; and her brother, Donald Mitchell of Houston. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Dorothy Jenkins and Carol Mitchell.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 20, at 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society or the Austin Butterfly Center.

Obituary Example for a Grandfather

George Robert Patterson, 91, of rural Topeka, Kansas, died on November 23, 2025, on the farm where he was born.

Born on March 3, 1934, George was the sixth child of Robert and Martha Patterson. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953-1955, earning the Bronze Star. He married Evelyn Marie Schultz on June 15, 1957.

George worked the family farm for 70 years. He was a man of few words but many deeds—he could fix anything, build anything, and grow anything. He taught his grandchildren that hard work wasn't punishment, it was privilege.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Evelyn; his children, Robert Patterson (Susan) and James Patterson (Rachel); seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, George requested that people "go do something useful."

Obituary Example for a Spouse/Partner

David Michael Chen, 62, of San Francisco, California, passed away on September 8, 2025, with his husband Richard by his side.

Born in Oakland on April 5, 1963, David was a beloved architect who designed over 50 buildings across the Bay Area, including the Castro Cultural Center. He believed that buildings should tell stories, and his work spoke volumes.

David and Richard were together for 34 years, married for 11. They shared a love of travel, terrible puns, and their two rescue dogs, Watson and Holmes.

He is survived by his husband, Richard Torres-Chen; his mother, Grace Chen of Oakland; his sister, Linda Chen-Yamamoto (Ken) of Seattle; and his nieces, Maya and Sophie. His father, James Chen, preceded him in death.

A celebration of life will be held October 1 at Grace Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the GLBT Historical Society.

Obituary Example for a Young Person

Tyler James Rodriguez, 19, of Phoenix, Arizona, was taken from us far too soon on August 12, 2025, in a car accident.

Tyler was a sophomore at Arizona State University, majoring in Computer Science. He dreamed of creating video games that would bring people together. His professors said he had the rare combination of technical brilliance and genuine kindness.

Those who knew Tyler remember his infectious laugh, his encyclopedic knowledge of Marvel movies, and his habit of texting "thinking of you" to friends at random moments. He made people feel seen.

He is survived by his parents, Maria and Carlos Rodriguez; his sister, Sophia; his grandparents, Elena and Jorge Rodriguez and Patricia Moore; and countless friends who considered him family.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Tyler Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship at ASU for Computer Science students.

Obituary Example for a Veteran

Colonel (Ret.) James Edward O'Brien, 88, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025.

Born on July 4, 1937, in Boston, Massachusetts, James served his country for 32 years in the United States Army. He completed three tours in Vietnam, earning the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with V device, and Legion of Merit. He later served at the Pentagon as a strategic advisor.

"He never called himself a hero," his daughter Katherine recalls. "He said the heroes were the ones who didn't come home."

After retiring, James volunteered with the Wounded Warrior Project and visited VA hospitals every week until his health declined.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary O'Brien; his children, Katherine O'Brien-Smith (Thomas) and James O'Brien Jr. (Patricia); six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His brother, Patrick O'Brien, preceded him in death.

Full military honors will be rendered at Arlington National Cemetery on November 18. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Short Obituary Examples (Under 100 Words)

Eleanor "Ellie" Grace Nguyen, 81, of Sacramento, California, passed away January 20, 2026. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Ellie immigrated to the United States in 1975 and built a life defined by resilience and love. She worked as a seamstress for 35 years while raising four children. She is survived by her children, David, Lisa, Susan, and Peter; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services will be held Saturday at 2:00 PM at Vietnamese Martyrs Parish Church. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sacramento Food Bank.

Robert "Bobby" James Wilson, 45, of Nashville, Tennessee, died unexpectedly on March 3, 2026. Bobby was a session musician who played guitar on dozens of country albums and never met a stranger. He is survived by his partner, Lisa; his parents, James and Dorothy Wilson; and his brother, Mark. Services pending. Donations may be made to MusiCares.

Helen Marie Santos, 93, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. A retired teacher at Lincoln Elementary for 40 years, Helen touched thousands of young lives. She is survived by her children, Maria, Joseph, and Teresa; 12 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Services will be held Monday at 10 AM at Holy Name Cathedral.

Christian Obituary Example

Ruth Elizabeth Anderson, 78, of Nashville, Tennessee, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 14, 2026.

Born on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1947, Ruth always said she was born for resurrection. She lived her faith through 50 years of Sunday School teaching, mission trips to Guatemala, and countless casseroles delivered to neighbors in need.

Ruth was a member of First Baptist Church for 65 years. She served as a deacon, sang in the choir, and organized the annual Vacation Bible School that touched generations of children.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:21

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Pastor Emeritus Harold Anderson; her children, Mark Anderson (Sarah) and Rebecca Anderson-Thomas (David); and five grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday at 2 PM at First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse.

Jewish Obituary Example

Dr. Samuel "Sam" David Goldstein, 86, of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away on March 10, 2026.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1939, Sam was the son of Holocaust survivors who taught him that education was the one thing no one could take away. He became a cardiologist, practicing for 45 years and saving countless lives.

Sam was a devoted member of Temple Beth El, where he served on the board for 20 years. He never missed a Shabbat dinner with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Miriam; his children, Dr. Rachel Goldstein-Cohen (Daniel), and Jonathan Goldstein (Emily); and seven grandchildren who called him "Zayde."

Graveside services will be held Sunday at Star of David Memorial Gardens. Shiva will be observed at the family home Sunday through Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hadassah or the Holocaust Memorial.

May his memory be a blessing.

Celebration of Life Example

James "Jimmy" Patrick Murphy, 67, of Austin, Texas, died doing what he loved—fishing on Lake Travis—on April 2, 2026.

Jimmy wouldn't want us to be sad. He'd want us to crack open a cold one, tell a story about that time he almost caught a 50-pound catfish (it grows bigger every year), and laugh until our sides hurt.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Jimmy immigrated to Texas in 1985 and never lost his accent or his love of Guinness. He owned Murphy's Pub on 6th Street for 25 years, where he was everyone's favorite bartender, therapist, and friend.

"Life's too short for bad beer and boring stories," he always said.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen; his daughter, Fiona; his son, Patrick; three grandchildren; and approximately 10,000 friends.

Join us for a Celebration of Life at Murphy's Pub on April 10 at 5 PM. Wear something green. In lieu of flowers, buy someone a drink.

Different publications require different formats. Here's what works for each:

Newspaper Format (150-300 words)

Newspapers charge per-word, so keep it concise. The New York Times charges approximately $9 per word, meaning a 200-word obituary costs roughly $1,800.

Funeral Home Website Format (300-600 words)

Funeral home websites allow for more personal storytelling. Include anecdotes, personality details, and photos.

Social Media Format (100-200 words)

More informal, often written in first person:

Funeral Program Format (100-150 words)

This version is printed alongside a photo in the funeral program:

Newspaper Obituaries

Cost-saving tip: Many newspapers charge per-word. Write a shorter version for print and publish the full version on the funeral home website.

Free Online Platforms

Funeral Home Website

Most funeral homes include obituary posting as part of their services. This is often the most complete version of the obituary.

Newspaper obituaries: $200-$1,500+ (national average ~$500)

• Per-word pricing is most common
• Photos cost extra ($50-$200)
• Sunday editions cost more

Funeral home website: Usually free with services

Online platforms: $0-$100 (most offer free tiers)

Cost-Saving Tips

1. Write it yourself using our free generator above
2. Limit newspaper word count to essentials only
3. Publish full version on free platforms and short version in newspaper
4. Ask about package pricing with the funeral home

Obituary traditions vary by faith and culture. Here's what to keep in mind:

Christian Traditions

Christian obituaries often include:

• Scripture verses (Psalm 23, John 14:2-3)
• Phrases like "went home to be with the Lord" or "called to eternal rest"
• Church membership and service involvement
• End with "In lieu of flowers, donations to [church or Christian charity]"

Jewish Customs

Jewish obituaries tend to be more concise, focusing on:

• The person's Hebrew name
• Family relationships (using "z"l" after deceased relatives' names)
• Mitzvot (good deeds) they performed
• Closing with "May their memory be a blessing" (z"l or zichrono livracha)
• Note about shiva observance

Islamic Practices

Muslim obituaries typically include:

• "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (We belong to Allah and to Him we return)
• Emphasis on good deeds and faith
• Note about Janazah (funeral prayer) timing—usually within 24-48 hours
• Simplicity is valued; lengthy tributes are less common

Hispanic/Latino Traditions

• Often mention both maternal and paternal surnames
• May include information about a rosary (velorio)
• References to the Virgin Mary or patron saints
• Note about Día de los Muertos remembrances (if applicable)

Buddhist & Hindu Traditions

Buddhist obituaries may reference:

• The cycle of rebirth and karma
• Temple membership
• Meditation practice

Hindu obituaries often include:

• Sanskrit prayers or mantras
• Reference to cremation customs
• Information about puja ceremonies

Your obituary deserves a beautiful home. Many families include the obituary in their funeral program—here are our most popular designs.

Who typically writes the obituary?

Usually a close family member—spouse, adult child, or sibling. Sometimes the funeral home offers writing assistance, or families hire a professional obituary writer ($200-$500).

Can I write my own obituary in advance?

Absolutely. Many people choose to write their own obituary as part of end-of-life planning. It can be a meaningful exercise and takes the burden off grieving family members. Store it with your will or give a copy to your funeral home.

How long should an obituary be?

• Newspaper: 100-300 words (due to cost)
• Funeral home website: 300-600 words
• Social media: 100-200 words

Should I include cause of death?

This is a personal choice. Include it if the family wants to raise awareness (e.g., cancer, addiction, suicide prevention) or it helps explain a sudden death. Don't include it if the family prefers privacy.

When should an obituary be published?

Ideally 1-2 days before the funeral so that attendees can plan. Many newspapers require 24-48 hours notice.

Can I update an obituary after it's published?

On funeral home websites and online platforms, yes. Newspapers typically cannot make changes after publication, though some allow corrections for factual errors.

What if family members disagree on content?

This is common. Try to focus on what everyone agrees on—factual information and positive memories. One person should be the "final editor" to avoid conflicts. Leave out controversial details that would cause lasting family rifts.

Is your obituary generator really free?

Yes, completely free. No signup required, no credit card, no hidden fees. We built this tool because during one of life's hardest moments, you shouldn't have to struggle alone to find the right words.

Final Thoughts

I want to leave you with something that took me years of grief counseling to understand:

There is no perfect obituary.

There are words that capture a moment. There are phrases that make people nod and remember. There are tributes that leave people feeling closer to someone who's gone. But there is no magical formula.

What matters is that you try. That you write from love. That you honor someone who mattered.

You've got this.