Obituary Outline: A Simple Format to Follow
- Lastly.com
- Jul 16
- 8 min read
Last Words Matter™
Few things are more intimidating than a blank page.
Especially when the words you’re about to write will become part of how someone is remembered.
That’s why many families begin by looking for an obituary outline.
Not because they don’t know what to say…
But because they don’t know where to begin.
A simple outline transforms a blank page into a series of manageable steps.
One section at a time.
One memory at a time.
One story at a time.
Because every meaningful obituary begins with an outline.
But no one is remembered because of the outline. They’re remembered because of the story it helped tell.
Why an Obituary Outline Helps
Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming, especially in the days immediately following the loss of someone you love.
You’re grieving.
Making funeral arrangements.
Answering phone calls.
Supporting family members.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, you’re expected to write something that captures an entire lifetime.
That’s why an outline is so helpful.
It doesn’t tell you what to feel or what memories to include.
It simply provides a clear path forward.
Instead of staring at a blank page, you’ll move through the obituary one section at a time, organizing facts, gathering memories, and gradually building a tribute that reflects the person behind the dates.
Think of an obituary outline as the framework.
The facts provide the structure.
The stories give it life.
The facts provide the structure. The stories give an obituary its heartbeat.
Need Help Organizing Their Story?
An obituary outline provides the structure.
The Lastly LifeReview® helps you fill it with the memories, relationships, and stories that made your loved one’s life unique.
Instead of wondering what to write next, you’ll be guided through thoughtful conversations that naturally become a meaningful obituary.
Powered by the Lastly® LifeReview® Framework
A Simple Obituary Outline
Although every obituary is unique, most follow a similar structure.
Use the outline below as a guide, adapting each section to reflect your loved one’s life, personality, and wishes.
1. Begin With the Essentials
Start with the basic information readers need to know.
Include:
Full name (and preferred name, if appropriate)
Age
City and state of residence
Date of passing
Place of passing (optional)
Many families also include a brief opening sentence that captures the person’s character.
For example:
“John Smith, a devoted husband, father, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, surrounded by his family.”
This opening introduces more than a name.
It begins introducing the person.
2. Share the Story Behind the Dates
An obituary is more than a timeline.
This section tells readers how your loved one lived.
You might include:
Where they grew up
Education
Military service
Career
Volunteer work
Faith
Hobbies
Passions
Personal accomplishments
Rather than listing every milestone, focus on the experiences that shaped their life and reveal their character.
Ask yourself:
What would someone understand about this person after reading these paragraphs?
That’s the story you’re trying to tell.
An obituary isn’t a timeline of events. It’s the story those events created.
3. Honor the People They Loved
Relationships are often the heart of an obituary.
List close family members, including:
Spouse or partner
Children
Grandchildren
Parents
Siblings
Other significant relatives
Many families also choose to mention those who preceded them in death.
While names are important, don’t hesitate to include a sentence or two that reflects the love shared within the family.
Sometimes the most meaningful part of an obituary isn’t simply who survived them.
It’s how deeply they loved one another.
4. Tell the Story They’ll Remember
Once you’ve shared the basic facts, it’s time to help readers understand what made your loved one unique.
This is often the most meaningful part of an obituary.
Rather than listing accomplishments alone, share the qualities people admired most.
Ask yourself questions like:
What made people smile when they thought of them?
What were they passionate about?
How did they make others feel?
What lessons did they teach?
What will family and friends remember years from now?
These don’t need to be long stories.
Sometimes a single sentence says everything.
“She never met a stranger and always had a seat ready at her table.”
“He believed every problem could be solved with patience, hard work, and a fresh pot of coffee.”
“Her greatest joy wasn’t found in awards or accomplishments—it was found in her grandchildren.”
Those are the kinds of details people remember.
People may forget the dates. They rarely forget how someone made them feel.
5. Include Funeral or Memorial Service Information
Toward the end of the obituary, provide the practical details family and friends need.
This typically includes:
Date and time of the service
Location
Visitation information
Burial or graveside service
Livestream information, if available
Reception details, if applicable
If the service is private, it’s perfectly appropriate to say so.
For example:
“A private family service will be held.”
Or:
“A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.”
Keep this section clear, concise, and easy to read so guests can quickly find the information they need.
6. Suggest Memorial Contributions (Optional)
Many families choose to invite memorial gifts in place of flowers.
If your loved one supported a particular church, charity, scholarship fund, or nonprofit organization, include those details near the end of the obituary.
For example:
“In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.”
Or:
“The family requests that donations be made to the local animal shelter in honor of John’s lifelong love of rescue dogs.”
Not every obituary includes this section, but when it does, it often reflects another meaningful part of the person’s legacy.
7. End With Gratitude and Love
An obituary doesn’t have to end with logistics.
Many families choose to close with a sentence that captures the lasting impact of the person’s life.
For example:
“Though deeply missed, her kindness, faith, and generous spirit will continue to inspire everyone who knew her.”
“His love for family will remain his greatest legacy.”
“The stories he shared, the lives he touched, and the love he gave will never be forgotten.”
The closing doesn’t need to summarize an entire lifetime.
It simply gives readers one final thought to carry with them.
Human Observation
When families finish writing an obituary, they often worry about what they left out.
A favorite vacation.
A lifelong friendship.
A funny family tradition.
A story that deserved another paragraph.
That’s completely normal.
No obituary can capture every moment of a person’s life.
Its purpose isn’t to tell every story.
It’s to faithfully introduce the person behind them.
Sometimes the obituary isn’t the end of someone’s story.
It’s the beginning of the conversations that keep that story alive.
An obituary doesn’t tell every story. It invites people to remember the ones that mattered most.
A Simple Obituary Outline at a Glance
If you’re looking for a quick reference, here’s the basic format most families follow:
Begin With the Essentials
Name, age, residence, date of passing
Share the Story Behind the Dates
Life history, education, career, military service, faith, interests
Honor the People They Loved
Family members and important relationships
Tell the Story They’ll Remember
Personality, character, values, passions, and memorable qualities
Include Funeral or Memorial Information
Service details, visitation, burial, or celebration of lif
Suggest Memorial Contributions (Optional)
Charities or organizations to support in lieu of flowers
End With Gratitude and Love
A final reflection that honors their legacy
This simple framework gives you everything you need to organize an obituary while leaving plenty of room to tell the story only your family can tell.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a simple outline, many families worry about “getting it right.”
The good news is that meaningful obituaries don’t have to be perfect.
They simply need to be sincere.
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid.
Trying to Include Every Detail
No obituary can capture an entire lifetime.
Trying to include every accomplishment, hobby, trip, and relationship often makes an obituary feel overwhelming.
Instead, focus on the moments and qualities that best reflect the person’s life.
Leave readers feeling like they met them.
Listing Facts Without Sharing the Person
An obituary filled only with dates and accomplishments can unintentionally feel impersonal.
Whenever possible, include a few details that reveal personality.
What made them laugh?
What did they love?
How did they make others feel?
Those are often the memories that stay with readers the longest.
Worrying About the “Perfect” Words
Many families spend hours rewriting a single sentence.
Remember…
Your loved ones aren’t looking for literary perfection.
They’re looking for authenticity.
Write with honesty.
Write with love.
That’s enough.
Waiting Too Long to Ask for Help
Writing an obituary doesn’t have to be a solo effort.
Invite siblings, children, grandchildren, and close friends to share memories.
You’ll often uncover stories that deserve to be remembered—and that no single person could have written alone.
The goal isn’t to write a perfect obituary. It’s to write one that feels true.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should an obituary include?
Most obituaries include basic biographical information, surviving family members, funeral or memorial service details, and a brief summary of the person’s life, character, and legacy.
The best obituaries also include a few personal stories or details that help readers understand who the person truly was.
How long should an obituary be?
There’s no required length.
Some newspaper obituaries are only a few paragraphs because of publication costs.
Online obituaries can be longer, allowing families to include more stories, photographs, and meaningful details.
Focus less on word count and more on faithfully telling the person’s story.
Do obituaries always follow the same format?
No.
While most obituaries include similar sections, every family chooses how much detail to include and how personal they want the obituary to be.
An outline provides a helpful framework, but there’s plenty of room to make it your own.
Can I change the order of the outline?
Absolutely.
Think of this outline as a guide rather than a set of rules.
Some families begin with a favorite story.
Others choose to highlight faith, military service, or lifelong passions earlier in the obituary.
Use the structure that best reflects your loved one’s life.
What’s the difference between an obituary outline and an obituary template?
An obituary outline shows you what information to include and how to organize it.
An obituary template provides prewritten wording that you can customize.
Many families find it helpful to begin with an outline before choosing a template or writing their own obituary.
Your Journey Doesn’t End Here
An outline gives you a place to begin.
The next step is gathering the stories that bring it to life.
If you’ve recently lost someone and are navigating everything that comes next, our step-by-step guide can help you move forward with confidence—from the first phone calls to planning the service, writing an obituary, preparing a eulogy, and handling the practical responsibilities that follow.
READ: What to Do When Someone Dies
Continue Your Journey
Where You Are | Helpful Guide |
Learning the basics | |
Looking for examples | |
Need inspiration | |
Honoring a parent | |
Preparing to speak |
Final Thoughts
Every obituary begins the same way.
With a blank page.
And for many families, that blank page feels overwhelming.
An outline doesn’t remove the sadness of saying goodbye.
But it does make the first step a little easier.
It replaces uncertainty with direction.
It transforms one impossible task into a series of manageable ones.
Most importantly, it reminds us that writing an obituary isn’t about filling space on a page.
It’s about honoring a life.
As you work through your outline, don’t worry about saying everything.
Instead, focus on saying the things that matter most.
Because every meaningful obituary begins with an outline.
But no one is remembered because of the outline. They’re remembered because of the story it helped tell.
At Lastly.com, Last Words Matter™
An obituary may begin with names, dates, and places.
But the ones people remember tell us something much deeper.
They reveal a person’s character.
Their relationships.
Their faith.
Their humor.
Their kindness.
The countless ways they quietly shaped the lives around them.
That’s why we believe the most meaningful obituaries begin long before anyone starts
writing.
They begin with conversations.
With shared memories.
With the stories that family and friends carry in their hearts.
Lastly® helps families discover and tell the story of a life well lived—because every person deserves to be remembered for more than the dates that marked their life.
Every life has a story.
And every story deserves to be told.
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