Free obituary templates for a friend
You're here because you lost a friend. And maybe nobody asked you to write anything. Maybe their family is handling the official obituary. But you want to put words to what this person meant to you, or you've been asked to help because you knew them in a way their family didn't. Writing about a friend is different from writing about family. You're choosing to do this. That says something.
Let our AI write it for you
Our AI obituary generator asks you questions about your friend and writes a personalized obituary based on your answers. It takes about 10 minutes and produces something that sounds like it was written by someone who knew them.
Fill-in-the-blank templates
Choose the template length that fits your needs. Each one includes bracketed placeholders you can fill in with your friend's details.
Short obituary template for a friend (~150 words)
Approximately 150 words
Use this for newspaper submissions with word limits, or when you want to keep things simple. Short doesn't mean less meaningful.
[FULL NAME], age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], died [peacefully/unexpectedly/after a long illness] on [DATE OF DEATH]. They were born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. [FIRST NAME] was a [devoted/loving/caring] friend to [NAMES] and a [OTHER ROLE] to [NAMES]. They spent [NUMBER] years working as a [OCCUPATION] and were known for [ONE OR TWO DEFINING QUALITIES OR HOBBIES]. [They were a member of [CHURCH/ORGANIZATION].] They are survived by [their] [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. [A funeral service/A celebration of life/A memorial service] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [CHARITY/CAUSE].]
Standard obituary template for a friend (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
This works for most situations. Enough room to capture who they were without overwhelming the reader.
[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [peacefully/surrounded by their loving family/after a courageous battle with [ILLNESS]] on [DATE OF DEATH]. Born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE], [FIRST NAME] was the [birth order] child of [PARENTS' NAMES]. They grew up in [HOMETOWN/AREA] and graduated from [HIGH SCHOOL] in [YEAR]. [They went on to earn [their] [DEGREE] from [COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY].] [FIRST NAME] [married [SPOUSE'S NAME] on [WEDDING DATE] [at LOCATION]. Together they [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF LIFE TOGETHER, e.g., "built a home in [CITY]," "raised [NUMBER] children," "traveled to 30 countries"].] [They worked as a [OCCUPATION] for [NUMBER] years at [EMPLOYER/FIELD], where they [BRIEF ACCOMPLISHMENT OR REPUTATION].] Outside of work, [FIRST NAME] was known for [HOBBIES, INTERESTS, OR TALENTS]. [SPECIFIC DETAIL that shows personality]. What people remember most about [FIRST NAME] is [DEFINING PERSONALITY TRAIT OR HABIT]. [ONE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OR ANECDOTE THAT ILLUSTRATES THIS]. [FIRST NAME] are survived by [their] [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. [A funeral service/A celebration of life] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [CHARITY] in their memory.]
Religious obituary template for a friend (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
For families where faith was central to their life. Adjust the religious language to match their tradition.
[FULL NAME], beloved friend, [OTHER ROLES], and faithful servant of God, went home to be with the Lord on [DATE OF DEATH] at the age of [AGE]. [They died peacefully, surrounded by their family, after [CIRCUMSTANCES].] [FIRST NAME] was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. They were raised in the [FAITH TRADITION] and their faith remained the cornerstone of their life. They were a lifelong member of [CHURCH/PARISH NAME], where they [SERVED AS/PARTICIPATED IN, e.g., "sang in the choir," "taught Sunday school," "served on the church council"]. [MARRIAGE AND FAMILY DETAILS]. [FIRST NAME] believed that their greatest calling was [CALLING, e.g., "serving others," "raising a family," "building community"], and they approached it with the same faith that guided everything they did. [CAREER AND INTERESTS]. [SPECIFIC FAITH-RELATED DETAIL, e.g., "His Bible was so worn the binding had been replaced twice" or "He started every morning with prayer and coffee on the back porch"]. [SCRIPTURE VERSE] [FIRST NAME] are survived by [their] [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST] and are now reunited with them in eternal peace. A [funeral Mass/memorial service/homegoing celebration] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [CHURCH/LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to [CHURCH OR FAITH-BASED CHARITY].]
Sample obituaries for a friend
Real-style examples showing different tones and approaches. Read the commentary below each one to understand what makes it effective.
Michael James Kowalczyk
What makes this work
Written by friends, not family, this obituary captures a specific role in a community. The fantasy league, camping trips, and hospital visits show the work of friendship. The closing line is memorable because it turns grief into an actionable tribute.
Rachel Elizabeth Torres
What makes this work
Written in first person plural, this tribute captures what it's like to lose someone in a friend group. The 2 a.m. song lyrics and floor dinner parties are precisely the kind of details that define a friendship. It reads like people who are still in shock, and that honesty is its strength.
How to write an obituary for your friend
- 1
Gather the essential facts
Before you write anything, collect the basics. Full name, date of birth, birthplace, date of death, and place of death. If you're unsure about any details, ask another family member or check documents. Getting the facts right matters, and it's easier to gather them before you start writing than to stop midway through.
- 2
List family and survivors
Write down everyone who should be mentioned. Surviving family members, those who preceded them in death, and close relationships that mattered. Get names and spellings right. If you're unsure about married names or the order of children, ask. This section is where mistakes get noticed.
- 3
Write about what they did
Career, education, volunteer work, military service. Don't just list titles. What did they actually do day to day? "They managed the produce department at Kroger for 22 years" tells a story. "They worked in retail" doesn't. Specifics make the difference.
- 4
Write about who they were
This is the hardest part, and the most important. What made them different from anyone else? Not "loving" or "kind" because those describe everyone. Think about the specific things. What did they do every morning? What was their thing that nobody else understood? What would a stranger notice about them in the first five minutes?
- 5
Include a specific memory or detail
One concrete detail does more work than ten adjectives. A hobby they was obsessive about. A phrase they said so often it became a family joke. The way they always did one particular thing. These details are what make people nod and say, "Yes, that's exactly right."
- 6
Choose the right tone
Think about who this person was. Would they want something formal and traditional? Something lighter that reflects their personality? There's no single right answer. Match the obituary to the person, not to some idea of what an obituary should sound like.
- 7
Read it aloud and revise
Write your draft, then walk away for a few minutes. Come back and read it out loud. You'll hear what's missing and what feels off. Does it sound like them? Would they recognize themself in these words? If not, adjust. If something feels forced, remove it. Your instinct is worth trusting here.
What to include in your friend's obituary
Essential information
- ✓Full legal name
- ✓Date of birth and birthplace
- ✓Date of death and place of death
- ✓Survivors list
- ✓Predeceased family members
- ✓Service or memorial details
Life story details
- ✓Education and schools
- ✓Career and work life
- ✓Marriage and family details
- ✓Community involvement
- ✓Military service (if applicable)
- ✓Faith community membership
Personal touches
- ✓Hobbies and interests
- ✓Personality traits (specific, not generic)
- ✓A memorable habit or phrase
- ✓Favorite places or activities
- ✓Role in the family or community
Optional additions
- ✓A favorite quote or scripture
- ✓Charitable donation preferences
- ✓A brief anecdote that captures who they were
- ✓Cause of death (family's decision)
Quotes for a friend's obituary
“Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.”
“What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.”
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
“True friends are never apart. Maybe in distance, but never in heart.”
“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.”
“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
Frequently asked questions
How long should my friend's obituary be?
There's no rule. A newspaper obituary might run 150 to 200 words because papers charge by the line. An online obituary or funeral program can be as long as you need. Most obituaries fall between 200 and 500 words. Length doesn't equal love. A three-sentence obituary written with care means more than a page of generic praise.
Who should write my friend's obituary?
Whoever feels most able to right now. In many families, one person takes the lead because the others are too overwhelmed. There's no tradition that dictates who should do it. What often works well is having one person write the first draft and then sharing it with close family for additions and corrections. If nobody feels up to it, an AI obituary generator can provide a solid draft that the family can review and personalize together.
Should I mention how my friend died?
This is entirely your family's decision. Some families include the cause of death because it was part of their story. Others prefer privacy and simply say "passed away peacefully" or "died at home surrounded by family." If your friend were open about their illness during their life, mentioning it usually feels right. If they were private about it, respecting that makes sense.
Is it appropriate to write a public tribute for a friend?
If the family has asked you to help with the obituary or you're writing a separate tribute, it's more than appropriate. If you're writing independently, check with the family first. They may welcome it, or they may prefer to handle things themselves. Either way, sharing specific memories of your friend with the family is always welcome, even if they write the obituary.
How do I write about a friend without overstepping?
Stick to what you witnessed. Your perspective on your friend is valid, but it's one perspective. Avoid speaking for the family or making claims about the friend's inner life. "He was the first person to show up when anyone needed help" is your observation. "He loved his family more than anything" is the family's to say.
Related templates
Related to Friend
Writing more than the obituary? See Eulogy for a friend, Friend obituary examples, and Newspaper submission guide.