How to Write a Short Obituary for a Funeral Program

Begin with the person, not a list of dates

A short program obituary can be personal without trying to tell an entire life story. Start with the person's name and a sentence about how family and friends knew them. Then add a few meaningful details: work, interests, service, or the everyday gestures people remember.

There is no required word count. The available space depends on the photo, font, and other sections on the inside page. Write a first draft freely, then shorten it while keeping the details that make this person recognizable.

A simple four-part structure

Use these parts as a checklist rather than a rigid formula.

• Opening: full or preferred name, life dates if the family wants them, and one defining detail.
• Life: a few places, relationships, accomplishments, or interests that mattered most.
• Character: a specific habit, kindness, saying, or memory that sounds like the person.
• Closing: a brief expression of remembrance and, if appropriate, where memorial contributions may be made.

An example you can use for structure

Example, using a fictional person: “Elaine Morris filled her home with music, garden cuttings, and an extra chair for anyone who needed one. After many years teaching art, she spent her afternoons painting with her grandchildren and tending the roses by the front walk. Her family will remember her quick laugh and the care she gave to small, ordinary moments. She is deeply missed.”

This example works because it gives concrete memories instead of relying only on broad adjectives. Replace the details with true ones; do not copy a sample and leave it sounding unlike the person you are honoring.

Check facts and readability

Ask a family member to verify names, relationships, dates, locations, and any donation details. If a detail is uncertain or private, leave it out until confirmed. Preview the paragraph at the booklet's finished size and split dense blocks of text into shorter paragraphs.