Writing a newspaper obituary means sharing a person’s life, death, and service details clearly and with care.
A simple structure can help you honor their memory while giving readers the information they need.
What is a newspaper obituary?
A newspaper obituary is a brief notice announcing a death and often summarizing the person’s life.
It may include the date and place of death, significant family relationships, work or community involvement, and details about a funeral or memorial service.
Some publications distinguish between an obituary written by family and a short death notice, but terminology and formats vary.
Newspaper obituaries are usually edited for space, style, and accuracy.
They can also be published online, where readers may share condolences or access service information.
Check the publication’s current instructions before drafting: word limits, deadlines, required details, and submission methods differ.
What information should you gather first?
Collect the facts before writing.
Confirm spellings, dates, locations, and relationships with relatives or another trusted source.
If details are uncertain, verify them or leave them out rather than guessing.
- Full name: Include the name the person was known by and, if appropriate, a maiden name or nickname.
- Age and residence: The publication may request age, city, or place of residence.
Share only what the family is comfortable making public. - Death information: Confirm the date and location of death.
Mention a cause only if the family wishes and the information is verified. - Family relationships: Identify close relatives to be named, and confirm names and relationships.
Families may also choose to recognize relatives who died earlier. - Life details: Note education, occupations, service, interests, community roles, or personal qualities that mattered to the person.
- Service details: Confirm the date, time, venue, and any instructions about attendance, flowers, donations, or a private service.
- Photo and contact: Check whether the newspaper accepts photographs and whether it needs a family contact for verification or billing.
How to structure the obituary
A newspaper obituary does not need to tell a person’s entire life story.
Put essential information first, then use a few specific details to help readers understand what made the person’s life distinctive.
- Begin with an announcement. Give the person’s name, age if desired, residence if appropriate, and date of death.
Keep this opening direct and factual. - Summarize the life. Select a few meaningful milestones, such as where the person grew up, their work, or a commitment to family or community.
Use the details that best reflect their life rather than trying to list every event. - Name surviving relatives thoughtfully. Include the family members the family has agreed to name.
A concise list is easier to read and less likely to exceed the newspaper’s word limit. - Share service information. Include confirmed arrangements and any practical instructions.
If details are pending, ask the publication whether an update can be submitted later. - Review and submit. Check the copy against the newspaper’s requirements, proofread names and dates, and keep a final version for the family.
How to make the writing personal and accurate
Use concrete details instead of broad praise.
Rather than calling someone “the best person in the world,” mention a verified habit, role, or interest that conveys what people will remember.
For example, a brief reference to years spent volunteering at a local library or gathering relatives for Sunday dinner gives readers a clearer picture.
Choose language that sounds natural to the family.
There is no required religious wording, and you can omit religious references if they do not fit the person or the family’s wishes.
Avoid claims that relatives may disagree about, private details the family has not approved, and quotations unless you can verify the exact words and have permission to use them.
Be considerate when describing complicated family relationships.
Confirm who wants to be named and how they wish their relationship described.
An obituary is a public notice, so it is wise to leave out sensitive personal information, disputed details, and anything the family would not want widely shared.
Fictional example obituary
The following sample is fictional and is provided only to illustrate structure.
Replace every detail with verified information and family-approved wording.
Jordan Lee, 78, of Cedar Falls, died on May 12, 2026.
Born in [hometown], Jordan worked as a [occupation] and spent many years supporting [community organization or cause].
Friends and family remember Jordan for [specific, verified quality or activity].
Jordan is survived by [family members approved for inclusion].
A memorial service will be held at [venue] on [date] at [time].
This example keeps the announcement, life summary, family details, and service information in a compact sequence.
A real submission should use confirmed facts and comply with the newspaper’s style and length requirements.
How to meet newspaper requirements
Contact the newspaper or check its obituary submission page before sending the final copy.
Ask about word limits, deadlines, editing policies, accepted image formats, proof approval, and whether the notice will also appear online.
Newspapers set their own rates, so request current pricing directly; do not rely on prices from another publication or an older notice.
Submit through the publication’s stated process, which may require an online form, email, or phone call.
Keep a copy of the text and any confirmation.
If the paper sends a proof, review every name, date, time, and location carefully before approving it.
Ask how corrections are handled if you spot an error after publication.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Rushing the fact check: A misspelled name or incorrect service time can cause real distress.
Ask another person to review key details. - Trying to include everything: Focus on the details that help readers understand the person and attend the service, if it is public.
- Assuming the newspaper will fix every issue: Editors may adjust length or style, but families should verify the facts and review any proof.
- Sharing unapproved private information: Confirm what relatives agree to publish, especially for family details and the circumstances of death.
- Missing a deadline: Publication schedules vary.
Check how far in advance a notice and photograph must arrive.
Newspaper obituary checklist
Before submitting, confirm that the obituary has the correct name, dates, spellings, and family relationships; includes only approved and verified details; fits the publication’s instructions; and gives accurate service information.
Confirm the newspaper’s current rate, deadline, and proof process directly with its staff.