The Standard Obituary Structure
Newspapers and funeral directors expect the same order every time: (1) the announcement — full name, age, city of residence, date and place of passing; (2) the life story — birth, upbringing, education, career, marriage and family, in chronological flow; (3) survivors and those predeceased; (4) the personal touch — a sentence or two on what they were known for; (5) service details — visitation, funeral, burial, officiant; (6) in lieu of flowers — donation preferences. Follow this order and the obituary desk will accept it without rewrites.
What to Include (and What to Leave Out)
- Include: full legal name (plus nickname in quotes if they used one), age, city, dates and places of birth and death
- Include: parents’ names, spouse (with years married), children, grandchildren, siblings — check every spelling
- Include: career highlights, military service, education, church or community roles
- Include: 1-2 specific personal details — the garden, the laugh, the 40 years at the plant, the grandkids’ games never missed
- Leave out: cause of death unless the family wants it stated, family conflicts, exact addresses, anything you would not read aloud at the service
Length and Cost: Why Shorter Saves Money
Most newspapers charge obituaries by the line or the word, and a 400-word obituary can cost several hundred dollars. The 200-300 word standard version covers everything required. Save the extended version — with fuller stories and more memories — for the funeral program and online memorial, where space is free. Ask the paper for its word-count pricing before you submit.
The Personal Touch Is the Whole Point
Two obituaries can carry identical facts and feel completely different. The difference is always the specific detail: not "she loved gardening" but "her huckleberry pie won the county fair three years running." Not "he was a hard worker" but "he worked the same mill shift for 38 years and never called in sick." When you sit down to write, list five small true things before you write a single sentence — the draft practically assembles itself around them.
Draft It in Minutes With the Free Tool
If the deadline is hours away, use our AI obituary writer: enter the facts and the personal details, choose traditional or celebration-of-life tone, and get a structured draft in the order above. Then personalize it, verify every name and date, and read it aloud once before submitting. If you also need the spoken tribute, our AI eulogy writer builds that from your memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?
A death notice is a short paid announcement — name, dates, service time. An obituary is the fuller life story. Most of what families need is the obituary.
Who usually writes the obituary?
Usually one family member, often with input from siblings or the spouse. Funeral directors will help with structure but the family supplies the facts and the personal details.
Can I write an obituary before someone passes?
Yes — pre-writing (sometimes called pre-planning) is common and wise. It lets you gather facts and spellings without deadline pressure, and many families find it a meaningful conversation to have in advance.
Should I mention the cause of death?
Only if the family wants it stated. It is entirely optional, and many obituaries omit it. Never let a newspaper or template pressure you into including it.