5 Easy Obituary Word Templates

Obituaries are a traditional way to share news of a loved one's passing with family, friends, and the community. However, writing an obituary can be a daunting task, especially during a time of grief. Using a template can help guide you through the process and ensure that you include all the necessary information.

What to Include in an Obituary

Before we dive into the templates, let's cover the essential elements to include in an obituary:

• The deceased's full name
• Age
• Date of birth and date of death
• Cause of death (optional)
• Surviving family members
• Predeceased family members
• Funeral or memorial service details
• Burial or cremation information
• Any notable achievements or accomplishments

Template 1: Simple Obituary Template

Here is a basic template to get you started:

"[Deceased's Name], [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date of Death] at [Location of Death]. Born on [Date of Birth], [Deceased's Name] was the [son/daughter] of [Parent's Names]. They are survived by [List of Surviving Family Members]. A [funeral/memorial] service will be held on [Date of Service] at [Time of Service] at [Location of Service]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [Charity or Organization]."

Example:

"John Doe, 75, of Anytown, USA, passed away on February 10, 2023, at his home. Born on August 12, 1947, John was the son of Mary and James Doe. He is survived by his wife, Jane; children, Michael and Emily; and grandchildren, Jack and Lily. A memorial service will be held on February 17, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Anytown United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society."

Template 2: Obituary with Funeral Details

This template includes more details about the funeral service:

"[Deceased's Name], [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date of Death] at [Location of Death]. Born on [Date of Birth], [Deceased's Name] was the [son/daughter] of [Parent's Names]. They are survived by [List of Surviving Family Members]. A [funeral/memorial] service will be held on [Date of Service] at [Time of Service] at [Location of Service]. The service will be officiated by [Officiant's Name]. Interment will follow at [Cemetery Name]. Visitation will be held on [Date of Visitation] from [Time of Visitation] at [Location of Visitation]."

Example:

"Jane Smith, 62, of Othertown, USA, passed away on January 20, 2023, at the local hospital. Born on November 25, 1960, Jane was the daughter of Robert and Margaret Smith. She is survived by her husband, Tom; children, Sarah and David; and grandchildren, Olivia and Ava. A funeral service will be held on January 25, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Othertown Baptist Church. The service will be officiated by Reverend John Johnson. Interment will follow at the Othertown Cemetery. Visitation will be held on January 24, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Othertown Funeral Home."

Template 3: Obituary with Life Story

This template allows you to share a brief life story of the deceased:

"[Deceased's Name], [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date of Death] at [Location of Death]. Born on [Date of Birth], [Deceased's Name] was the [son/daughter] of [Parent's Names]. They grew up in [Hometown] and graduated from [High School] in [Year of Graduation]. [Deceased's Name] worked as a [Occupation] for [Number of Years] and enjoyed [Hobbies]. They are survived by [List of Surviving Family Members]. A [funeral/memorial] service will be held on [Date of Service] at [Time of Service] at [Location of Service]."

Example:

"Richard Johnson, 85, of Smalltown, USA, passed away on March 15, 2023, at his home. Born on June 10, 1937, Richard was the son of William and Elizabeth Johnson. He grew up in Smalltown and graduated from Smalltown High School in 1955. Richard worked as a farmer for 40 years and enjoyed fishing and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Mark and Lisa; and grandchildren, Emily and Benjamin. A memorial service will be held on March 20, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Smalltown United Methodist Church."

Template 4: Obituary with Charitable Donations

This template includes information about charitable donations:

"[Deceased's Name], [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date of Death] at [Location of Death]. Born on [Date of Birth], [Deceased's Name] was the [son/daughter] of [Parent's Names]. They are survived by [List of Surviving Family Members]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to [Charity or Organization] in [Deceased's Name]'s memory. A [funeral/memorial] service will be held on [Date of Service] at [Time of Service] at [Location of Service]."

Example:

"Margaret Davis, 92, of Bigcity, USA, passed away on April 10, 2023, at her home. Born on October 20, 1930, Margaret was the daughter of James and Mary Davis. She is survived by her children, James and Susan; and grandchildren, Michael and Laura. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association in Margaret's memory. A memorial service will be held on April 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Bigcity Presbyterian Church."

Template 5: Obituary with Personal Message

This template allows you to include a personal message from the family:

"[Deceased's Name], [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date of Death] at [Location of Death]. Born on [Date of Birth], [Deceased's Name] was the [son/daughter] of [Parent's Names]. They are survived by [List of Surviving Family Members]. The family would like to extend their gratitude to [Caregivers or Medical Staff] for their compassionate care. A [funeral/memorial] service will be held on [Date of Service] at [Time of Service] at [Location of Service]."

Example:

"David Lee, 50, of Suburbiatown, USA, passed away on May 10, 2023, at the local hospital. Born on January 15, 1973, David was the son of John and Patricia Lee. He is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Christopher and Amanda; and grandchildren, Jackson and Isabella. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the nursing staff at Suburbiatown Hospital for their compassionate care. A funeral service will be held on May 15, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Suburbiatown Baptist Church."

Gallery of Obituary Templates

Obituary Templates Image Gallery

We hope these templates help you create a fitting tribute to your loved one. Remember to customize the template to fit your needs and include any personal details or anecdotes that you feel are important.