An obituary outline helps you gather essential facts and shape them into a respectful account of someone’s life.
Use the sections below as a flexible guide, adding details that feel meaningful and leaving out anything the family prefers to keep private.
What to include in an obituary outline
An obituary typically announces a death, shares a concise account of the person’s life, names close family members when appropriate, and provides information about a service or other remembrance.
The exact format depends on the publication, family preferences, cultural traditions, and available space.
Think of an outline as a planning tool, not a checklist that every obituary must follow.
A short notice may include only essential facts and service details, while a longer tribute can add personal stories, interests, and community contributions.
Confirm the publication’s word limit and submission requirements before drafting.
A step-by-step obituary outline
1. Opening announcement
Begin with the person’s full name and a simple announcement of their death.
Add their age and place of residence if the family wishes to share those details.
Include the date of death when confirmed and approved for publication.
- Full name, including a familiar name or nickname if desired
- Age, if the family chooses to include it
- Place of residence or community
- Date of death, checked against an authoritative family record
- A brief statement identifying the person’s death
Keep the opening direct and considerate.
Avoid guessing at circumstances, adding unverified explanations, or using language that conflicts with the family’s beliefs or wishes.
2. Brief life summary
Provide a few selected facts that help readers understand the person’s background.
Depending on what the family wants to share, this section might mention a birthplace, hometown, education, work, military service, or a move that shaped the person’s life.
Choose details that create a coherent picture instead of listing every date and achievement.
A job title, for example, may matter less than what the person valued about their work or how they supported others.
Confirm spellings, dates, locations, and organizational names with someone who knows the facts.
3. Relationships and family
Name relatives in a way that reflects the family’s wishes and the person’s relationships.
Some obituaries mention a spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, and other close relatives.
Others use a broader description or omit names for privacy.
If including survivors or relatives who died earlier, verify names and relationships carefully.
Family structures can be complex, and a standard list may not fit every situation.
Ask the family how they want people identified, including whether to use full names, first names, or relationship terms.
4. Personal qualities and interests
Specific, grounded details often make an obituary feel personal.
Consider the person’s hobbies, routines, favorite places, creative pursuits, community involvement, or the ways they spent time with people they cared about.
A small, accurate detail can communicate more than a string of broad descriptions.
- What activities or subjects did the person enjoy?
- Which communities, clubs, or causes mattered to them?
- What traditions or everyday habits do loved ones remember?
- What qualities did family and friends consistently observe?
Use examples shared by people who knew the person, and make sure the family is comfortable with them being public.
Do not invent anecdotes or quotations to make the piece sound more vivid.
5. Service and remembrance information
If details are confirmed, state the date, time, and location of a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or other gathering.
Explain whether the event is open to the public or limited to invited guests.
If arrangements have not been finalized, the family can omit this section or say that details will be shared later.
Include other remembrance instructions only when the family has provided and approved them.
For example, the family may share a preferred way to honor the person or identify an organization.
Confirm the exact wording and any relevant details before submitting.
6. Optional closing detail
An obituary may end with a brief expression of thanks or a note about how loved ones wish to remember the person.
This section is optional.
A simple closing can work well when it reflects the family’s voice and avoids overstating what everyone feels.
Questions to ask before drafting
Collecting information first can reduce corrections and make writing less stressful.
One family member can coordinate the details, while another checks names, dates, and service information against reliable records.
- What name did the person use, and how should it appear in print?
- Which biographical details and relationships should be included?
- Are there subjects the family wants kept private?
- Which service details are final, and who can confirm them?
- Does the publication have a word limit, deadline, or required format?
- Who will review the draft for accuracy and family preferences?
Fictional example using an obituary outline
Fictional example: Jordan Lee, 72, of Cedar Falls, died on [confirmed date].
Jordan spent many years teaching art and enjoyed tending a garden, visiting local galleries, and sharing weekend meals with family.
Jordan is survived by [family members, as approved by the family].
A memorial gathering will take place on [confirmed date and time] at [confirmed location].
This short example uses invented names and placeholder details to demonstrate structure only.
Replace every bracketed item with verified information, and do not present a sample as a real person’s biography.
How to keep the obituary accurate and respectful
Use a calm, clear tone and give the family time to review the draft.
Read it aloud to catch confusing sentences, then check every name, relationship, date, and location.
Be especially careful with details drawn from memory, because well-intentioned recollections can differ.
Share only information the family has approved for publication.
Avoid including private medical details, disputed claims, or personal information that could cause distress.
If a publication offers an editing process, use it to confirm formatting and clarify any questions before the obituary appears.
Preparing the final draft for submission
Once the outline is complete, turn each section into a few concise paragraphs.
Remove repeated details and keep the most meaningful facts.
Check whether the publication requests a particular file format, contact person, photo, or deadline, and follow its instructions.
Newspapers set their own rates for paid obituary notices, and pricing varies by publication and format.
Contact the newspaper directly for current rates, word limits, deadlines, and submission requirements.
The family can then make an informed decision about where and how to share the obituary.