Obituary Examples for a Parent, Spouse, or Friend

Writing an obituary is rarely something anyone feels prepared for, especially in the days immediately after a loss. Having an example to work from can make the process easier, giving you a structure to follow and a sense of tone, so you can focus on the details that matter most.

The examples below are written as adaptable templates. Replace the bracketed sections with your own details, and adjust the tone to fit how formal or personal you’d like it to be. For more guidance on the writing process itself, our full guide on how to write an obituary covers this step by step.

What to Include in an Obituary

Most obituaries include a few core elements: the person’s full name and age, where and when they passed, a brief look at their life (where they were born, their family, their work or interests), and the family members who survive them. Many also include service details, if applicable, and a way for people to share condolences or contribute to a memorial fund.

Obituary Example for a Parent

[Name], [age], of [city], passed away peacefully on 2026. [He/She/They] was born on [birthdate] in [birthplace] to [parents’ names].

[Name] is survived by [his/her/their] [spouse], children [names], and grandchildren [names]. [He/She/They] worked as a [occupation] for [number] years, and was known among family and friends for [a quality or trait, e.g., “an incredible sense of humor” or “always being the first to offer help”].

Outside of work, [Name] loved [hobbies or interests], and could often be found [a specific image, e.g., “in the garden” or “at the kitchen table with a crossword puzzle”]. [He/She/They] will be remembered for [a defining quality, e.g., “the warmth [he/she/they] brought into every room”].

A service will be held on 2026 at [location]. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [organization].

Obituary Example for a Spouse

[Name], [age], passed away on 2026 in [city], surrounded by family. [He/She/They] was the beloved [husband/wife/partner] of [spouse’s name] for [number] years.

Born on [birthdate] in [birthplace], [Name] spent [his/her/their] life [a brief summary, e.g., “working as a teacher and raising their three children together”]. [He/She/They] is survived by [spouse’s name], children [names], and grandchildren [names].

Those who knew [Name] will remember [his/her/their] [quality, e.g., “quiet patience” or “endless curiosity”], and the way [he/she/they] made everyone around [him/her/them] feel at home. [He/She/They] and [spouse’s name] shared [a meaningful detail, e.g., “a love of traveling together” or “forty years in the same home, always with the door open to visitors”].

A celebration of life will be held on 2026 at [location]. The family welcomes all who wish to attend.

Obituary Example for a Friend

[Name], [age], of [city], passed away on 2026. While [he/she/they] is survived by [family members], [Name] also leaves behind a wide circle of friends who considered [him/her/them] family in every way that mattered.

[Name] had a gift for [quality, e.g., “making people feel seen” or “turning ordinary days into something memorable”]. Friends will remember [him/her/them] for [specific memory or trait, e.g., “always showing up, no matter what” or “the way [he/she/they] could make any room feel lighter”].

[He/She/They] loved [hobbies or interests], and spent [his/her/their] time [a specific detail, e.g., “coaching the local youth team” or “hosting Sunday dinners that never seemed to end”].

A gathering to celebrate [Name]’s life will be held on 2026 at [location]. All who knew [him/her/them] are welcome.

Tips for Adapting These Examples

These examples are meant as a starting point, not a script. Feel free to add, remove, or rearrange sections based on what feels right. If you’re looking for something shorter, our guide on short obituary wording offers more condensed examples suited for brief notices. And if you want guidance on tone, structure, or what to include for specific relationships or situations, our full obituary guide covers this in more detail.

Once you’ve written an obituary you’re happy with, TheWake lets you turn it into a lasting tribute page, where family and friends can read it, share memories, and leave messages of condolence in one place.