Memorial Program Maker

Obituary examples

A good obituary gives the facts first (name, age, town, date of death), then a few true details about the person, then the family and the service. The eight examples below show how that works for different people, from a full tribute of about 300 words to a notice of three lines.

Every person in these examples is fictional. Use them for ideas and wording, not as a form to copy.

Write an obituary from your own answers

Updated October 27, 2026

1. For a mother (traditional)

Linda Marie Kowalski, 81, of Toledo, died peacefully on October 3, 2026, at St. Anne’s Hospice, with her children beside her.

Linda was born in Sandusky, Ohio, the eldest of five children of Frank and Helen Brandt. She graduated from Sandusky High School in 1963 and trained as a nurse, working on the maternity ward at the city hospital for 34 years. Hundreds of families met her on the first day of their child’s life, and some still sent her Christmas cards.

In 1966 she married Thomas Kowalski. They raised three children in the house on Elm Street, where the back door was never locked and there was always soup on the stove. Linda sang alto in her church choir for 40 years, kept a vegetable garden she was very proud of, and could not walk past a garage sale.

She is survived by her children, Karen Miller (Steve), Paul Kowalski (Dana) and Joanne Reyes (Luis); eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Ruth and Carol. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Thomas, and her brothers, Frank Jr. and Michael.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Lakeside Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at Grace Lutheran Church, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anne’s Hospice.

Why it works: it follows the classic order, so nothing is missing, and two specific details (the Christmas cards, the unlocked back door) make it sound like her.

2. For a father (warm, with a little humor)

Dennis Ray Pruitt, 74, of Knoxville, died on September 21, 2026, after a long illness he complained about far less than he complained about the Tennessee Titans.

Dennis was born in Maryville in 1952 and spent 38 years as a mail carrier, which he said was the best job in the world because nobody was ever unhappy to see a birthday card. He knew every dog on his route by name and kept treats in his bag for all of them.

He married Sharon Gail Lyle in 1975, and he told the story of their first date (a flat tire, a thunderstorm, a gas station hot dog) at every family gathering for the next 50 years. Sharon says it was not that bad. Dennis said it was the best night of his life.

He was a patient father, a terrible golfer and a very good grandfather. He is survived by Sharon; his daughters, Amy Pruitt and Beth Calloway (Ryan); and four grandchildren, who already miss his pancakes.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, at Cedar Hills Baptist Church. Wear orange if you like. He would have.

Why it works: the humor comes from true stories the family tells, not jokes, and it stays gentle. The ending gives guests something to do.

3. For a grandmother (short newspaper notice)

Rosa Elena Gutierrez, 92, of San Antonio, died on October 14, 2026. Born in Laredo, she ran a bakery on Zarzamora Street with her husband, Arturo, for 41 years. She is survived by her children, Maria, Daniel and Teresa; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Arturo. A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. on October 19 at Sunset Memorial Chapel, followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m. on October 20 at San Juan de los Lagos Church.

Why it works: about 80 words, so it costs less to print, and it still names the bakery that people will remember her for.

4. For a veteran

Harold Eugene Whitfield, 88, of Columbia, Missouri, died on August 30, 2026.

Harold was born on a farm near Fulton in 1938. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1956 and served as a radio operator in West Germany, rising to the rank of sergeant. He rarely talked about his service, but he flew the flag on his porch every day for 60 years and took it down himself when it rained.

After the Army he came home, married Dorothy Mae Kemp, and spent 30 years as an electrician for the city. He coached Little League, built birdhouses for the neighbors and never missed a Veterans Day parade.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy; his sons, Gary (Lisa) and Mark; five grandchildren; and his brother, Earl. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 5, at First Christian Church, with military honors at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Donations may be made to the local VFW post.

Why it works: it gives the branch, years and rank plainly, then shows what service meant to him through one habit rather than big words.

5. For someone who died young

Jordan Michael Hayes, 24, of Asheville, died on October 6, 2026.

Jordan grew up in Hendersonville and graduated from Appalachian State University in 2024 with a degree in environmental science. He was working for the county parks department and had just been put in charge of a trail crew, which he was quietly very proud of.

He was the friend who drove three hours to help you move, the brother who taught his little sister to skateboard, and the son who still called his mom every Sunday. He loved mountain bikes, bad action films and his dog, Biscuit.

Jordan is survived by his parents, Kevin and Lauren Hayes; his sister, Maddie; his grandparents, Ray and June Hayes; and many friends.

A memorial gathering will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, at the Lake Julian Park shelter. Friends are invited to share a story. The family asks for privacy in the weeks ahead.

Why it works: it doesn’t give a cause of death, which is the family’s choice. It spends its words on the life he had and the people who loved him.

6. For a person of faith (Catholic)

Margaret Anne O’Rourke, 86, of Scranton, entered eternal rest on October 1, 2026, fortified by the sacraments of the Church.

Peggy was born in Scranton to John and Mary Doyle and was a lifelong member of St. Brigid’s Parish, where she was baptized, married and later served as a Eucharistic minister for more than 30 years. She taught second grade at the parish school, prepared generations of children for their First Communion, and prayed the rosary every evening.

She married James O’Rourke in 1961. Together they raised four children and welcomed anyone who needed a meal or a bed.

She is survived by her children, Patrick (Ann), Mary Kate Flynn (Joseph), Thomas and Bridget Novak (Paul); nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James.

A vigil will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, at Gallagher Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, at St. Brigid’s Church, with interment at Cathedral Cemetery. Memorial Masses or donations to the parish school are welcome.

Why it works: it uses the words Catholic families expect (vigil, Mass of Christian Burial, interment), and it shows her faith through what she did at the parish.

7. For a celebration of life (non-religious)

Ellen Rae Sorensen, 67, of Portland, died at home on September 18, 2026, with her partner, Dave, and too many cats nearby.

Ellen was a printmaker, a union organizer, a terrible cook and an excellent friend. She grew up in Eugene, taught art at Franklin High School for 28 years, and spent her summers in a cabin on the coast with no phone and no plans. Her students still bring her linocuts to show their own kids.

She is survived by Dave Lindqvist, her partner of 31 years; her son, Max; her sister, Kristin; and a wide circle of friends.

There will be no funeral. Instead, please join us for a celebration of Ellen’s life at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 11, at the Alberta Arts Hall. Bring a story, wear something bright and stay for food. In place of flowers, give to the Oregon Humane Society.

Why it works: it sounds like the person, it says clearly there is no funeral, and it tells guests what kind of gathering to expect.

8. A very short notice

Walter F. Becker, 79, of Erie, died on October 20, 2026. Husband of Joan, father of Lisa and Brian, grandfather of four. Services were private. Donations may be made to the Erie Food Bank.

Why it works: about 35 words with everything a reader needs. It suits a family who wants a private service or who will post a longer obituary online.

Before you use any of these

Take the structure, not the details. The best line in your obituary will be something only your family knows. To get a first draft built only from your answers, use the free obituary writer. It won’t add a hobby or a relative you didn’t mention.

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