Short obituary templates
A short obituary template gives you a clean, dignified announcement in under 200 words. It suits newspaper listings with strict word limits, social posts, and families who want something straightforward. Use the placeholders below and adjust the wording to fit the person you are writing about.
Sample templates
Short obituary template for a mother (~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]. She was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. [FIRST NAME] was a [devoted/loving/caring] mother to [NAMES] and a [OTHER ROLE] to [NAMES]. She spent [NUMBER] years working as a [OCCUPATION] and was known for [ONE OR TWO DEFINING QUALITIES OR HOBBIES]. [She was a member of [CHURCH/ORGANIZATION].] She is survived by [her] [SURVIVORS LIST]. She was 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].]
Want something more personal than a template?
Our AI obituary generator asks you about your loved one and writes a personalized obituary in about ten minutes. The result sounds like it was written by someone who knew them.
Find a template for your loved one
Each relationship page includes templates in multiple lengths, sample obituaries, a writing guide, and a checklist.
Parents
Grandparents
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Son
No parent should have to write this. But if you do, this template helps.
Daughter
A gentle framework for the hardest obituary anyone writes.
Child
For a young child. Focuses on who they were and what they brought to your life.
Infant
Brief, tender, and respectful. For a life that was short but mattered completely.
Extended family and others
Friend
When a friend's family asks for help, or when you want to write something of your own.
Aunt
For the aunt who was a second mother, a confidant, or simply part of every holiday.
Uncle
Career, personality, and the role he played in the wider family.
Veteran
Focused on military service, honors, and post-service life. Works for any branch.
Coworker
For someone whose impact was felt every day at work.
Pet
They were family. This template lets you say so.
Frequently asked questions
How short is a short obituary?
Most short obituaries land between 100 and 200 words. That is enough room for the essential facts (name, age, place, dates, immediate family, and service details) without filler.
When should I use a short obituary?
Pick the short format when the newspaper charges by the word, when you only need a brief death notice, or when the family prefers something simple. You can always publish a longer version on a memorial website and link to it.
What can I leave out to keep it short?
Cut anything that is not essential. Skip the extended career history, the long list of hobbies, and the lengthy survivor list. Keep the name, age, dates, immediate family, and where to send condolences.
Can I still make a short obituary feel personal?
Yes. One specific detail does more than three vague ones. A line like "She made the best peach pie on her block" tells you more about a person than a paragraph of generic praise.