Obituary Format Example
Understanding the standard obituary format helps you create a well-structured, respectful tribute. This guide shows you the typical structure and sections of an obituary, with examples for each section.
Standard Obituary Format Structure
1. Header/Name and Dates
Full name, birth date, death date, age, and location
2. Announcement of Death
Opening paragraph announcing the death with basic details
3. Biography
Life story including birth, education, career, achievements, hobbies
4. Family Members
List of surviving family and those who preceded in death
5. Service Information
Funeral, memorial, or celebration of life details
6. Memorial Donations (Optional)
Information about preferred charities or organizations
7. Closing (Optional)
Final thoughts, gratitude, or memorial message
Complete Format Example
[SECTION 1: HEADER]
John Michael Smith
January 15, 1950 – March 20, 2024
Age 74
Chicago, Illinois
[SECTION 2: ANNOUNCEMENT]
John Michael Smith, 74, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at his home.
[SECTION 3: BIOGRAPHY]
Born on January 15, 1950, in Chicago to the late James and Margaret Smith, John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1972 with a degree in engineering and worked as a civil engineer for the City of Chicago for 40 years before retiring in 2012.
John was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where he served as a volunteer for over 30 years. He loved 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.
[SECTION 4: FAMILY]
John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary Smith; his children, Sarah (Mark) Johnson, Michael (Lisa) Smith, and Jennifer (David) Martinez; his eight grandchildren: Emma, Jack, Olivia, Lucas, Noah, Ava, Lily, and Ethan; his sister, Patricia (Robert) Wilson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Margaret Smith, and his brother, Thomas Smith.
[SECTION 5: SERVICE INFORMATION]
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on March 27, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 123 Main Street, Chicago, IL. Visitation will be held on March 26, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chicago Funeral Home, 456 Oak Avenue, Chicago, IL. Interment will follow at Chicago Memorial Cemetery.
[SECTION 6: MEMORIAL DONATIONS]
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or the Chicago Food Bank in John's memory.
[SECTION 7: CLOSING]
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Chicago Hospice for their compassionate care during John's final days. John's love, his laughter, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Short Format Example
Margaret Ann Williams
September 12, 1940 – January 15, 2024
Age 83
Dallas, Texas
Margaret Ann Williams, 83, of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024. Born in Dallas to the late John and Mary Anderson, Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Margaret worked as a teacher for 35 years before retiring in 1998. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Dallas and enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her family.
Margaret is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert Williams; her children, Patricia (Mark) Johnson, Robert Jr. (Susan) Williams, and Elizabeth (David) Martinez; her 12 grandchildren; and her sisters, Catherine (James) Thompson and Mary (John) Anderson.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Anderson.
Funeral services will be held on January 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Dallas, 789 Oak Avenue, Dallas, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Dallas.
Formatting Guidelines
- Name: Use full name (first, middle, last) at the beginning
- Dates: Format as "Month Day, Year – Month Day, Year" or "Birth Date – Death Date"
- Age: Include age at time of death
- Location: Include city and state/province
- Paragraphs: Use clear paragraphs to separate different sections
- Spacing: Use single spacing between paragraphs
- Capitalization: Capitalize proper nouns (names, places, organizations)
- Punctuation: Use proper punctuation throughout
- Length: Adjust length based on purpose (newspaper vs. online vs. program)
Format Variations by Purpose
Newspaper Obituary:
- Shorter length (due to word count and cost)
- More concise language
- Essential information only
- Formal tone
Online Obituary:
- Can be longer and more detailed
- More personal and conversational
- Can include photos and links
- More flexible format
Funeral Program Obituary:
- Formal and respectful
- Complete service information
- Traditional format
- May include photo
Memorial Card Obituary:
- Very brief
- Essential information only
- Compact format
- Often includes photo