Funeral Obituary Examples
Funeral obituaries are designed for memorial services, funeral programs, and memorial cards. They are typically more formal and respectful, focusing on honoring the deceased's life, legacy, and the impact they had on their family and community. These funeral obituary examples provide appropriate formats for traditional memorial services.
Traditional Funeral Obituary Example
Margaret Ann Williams
September 12, 1940 – January 15, 2024
Richmond, Virginia
Margaret Ann Williams, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024, at the age of 83, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Richmond, Virginia. Born on September 12, 1940, in Richmond to the late John and Mary Anderson, Margaret was a woman of grace, faith, and unwavering love for her family.
Margaret graduated from Richmond High School in 1958 and attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned a degree in education. She dedicated 35 years of her life to teaching elementary school, touching the lives of hundreds of children who remember her as a patient, kind, and inspiring educator. She retired in 1998 but continued to volunteer at local schools and literacy programs.
Margaret married her high school sweetheart, Robert Williams, in 1962, and together they built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and faith. They were married for 61 years, and Margaret often said that Robert was her greatest blessing. Together they raised three children: Patricia (Mark) Johnson, Robert Jr. (Susan) Williams, and Elizabeth (David) Martinez.
Margaret was a devoted grandmother to eight grandchildren: Michael, Sarah, James, Emily, Daniel, Jessica, Matthew, and Olivia. She loved attending their school events, baking cookies with them, and sharing stories about their family history. She was also a great-grandmother to three great-grandchildren: Lily, Noah, and Ava.
Margaret was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church for over 60 years, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the women's guild, and a volunteer in the church's food pantry. She was known for her kindness, her generosity, and her unwavering faith.
Margaret is survived by her loving husband Robert; her children Patricia (Mark) Johnson, Robert Jr. (Susan) Williams, and Elizabeth (David) Martinez; her eight grandchildren; her three great-grandchildren; her sister Catherine (James) Thompson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary Anderson, her brother James Anderson, and her infant daughter, Mary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on January 22, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 123 Church Street, Richmond, VA. Visitation will be held on January 21, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Richmond Funeral Home, 456 Main Street, Richmond, VA. Interment will follow at Richmond Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church Food Pantry or the Richmond Literacy Program, causes that were dear to Margaret's heart.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Richmond Hospice for their compassionate care during Margaret's final days. Margaret's love, her faith, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Short Funeral Obituary Example
John Michael Davis
June 5, 1955 – February 10, 2024
Dallas, Texas
John Michael Davis, 68, of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Dallas to the late William and Helen Davis, John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who will be deeply missed.
John worked as an engineer for 40 years before retiring in 2018. He married his wife, Mary, in 1980, and together they raised two children: Michael (Sarah) Davis and Jennifer (Mark) Wilson. John was a proud grandfather to four grandchildren: Emma, Jack, Olivia, and Lucas.
John was an active member of First Baptist Church of Dallas and enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his family. He was known for his kindness, his sense of humor, and his unwavering love for his family.
John is survived by his wife Mary; his children Michael (Sarah) Davis and Jennifer (Mark) Wilson; his four grandchildren; his sister Patricia (Robert) Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Davis.
Funeral services will be held on February 17, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Dallas, 789 Oak Avenue, Dallas, TX. Visitation will be held on February 16, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Dallas Funeral Home, 123 Main Street, Dallas, TX. Interment will follow at Dallas Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Dallas or the American Heart Association.
Memorial Card Obituary Example
In Loving Memory
Sarah Elizabeth Johnson
March 20, 1970 – March 5, 2024
Age 53
Sarah Elizabeth Johnson, beloved wife, mother, daughter, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024, at the age of 53, surrounded by her loving family.
Sarah was a devoted wife to her husband, David, and a loving mother to her children, Emily and Matthew. She was a dedicated teacher, a caring friend, and a woman of faith who touched the lives of everyone she met.
Sarah is survived by her husband David; her children Emily and Matthew; her parents Robert and Patricia Smith; her sister Jennifer (Mark) Davis; and numerous family and friends.
Funeral services were held on March 12, 2024, at St. John's Church, Springfield, IL.
"Her kindness, her love, and her legacy will live on in our hearts forever."
How to Write a Funeral Obituary
- Use formal language: Funeral obituaries are typically more formal and respectful than other types.
- Include service details: Clearly state the date, time, and location of the funeral, visitation, and interment.
- List family members properly: Use formal titles and relationships (e.g., "survived by," "preceded in death by").
- Include religious elements: If appropriate, include references to faith, church membership, or religious services.
- Provide donation information: Specify preferred charities or organizations for memorial donations.
- Keep it respectful: Maintain a tone of dignity and respect throughout the obituary.