Obituary templates for Microsoft Word
An obituary template you can drop into Microsoft Word (or Google Docs, which reads the same fields) keeps editing simple: change the font, adjust the spacing, and fill in the bracketed placeholders. Use the body below as a starting point, then copy it into a new Word document and save when you are ready.
Sample templates
Standard obituary template for Word (~190 words)
Approximately 192 words
A general-purpose obituary template ready to paste into Word or Google Docs. Replace the bracketed fields with details about your loved one and edit pronouns to fit.
[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], died on [DATE OF DEATH] [at LOCATION / surrounded by family / after a long illness]. [FIRST NAME] was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. [She/He] grew up in [HOMETOWN] and graduated from [HIGH SCHOOL] in [YEAR]. [She/He] [went on to earn a degree from / served in the / began working at] [INSTITUTION OR EMPLOYER]. [FIRST NAME] married [SPOUSE'S NAME] on [WEDDING DATE]. Together they [BUILT A HOME IN / RAISED CHILDREN IN / SPENT NUMBER YEARS IN] [PLACE]. [She/He] worked as a [OCCUPATION] for [NUMBER] years, where [she/he] was known for [ONE DEFINING WORK QUALITY OR ACCOMPLISHMENT]. Outside of work, [FIRST NAME] loved [TWO OR THREE INTERESTS OR HOBBIES]. [ONE SPECIFIC DETAIL OR STORY THAT SHOWS PERSONALITY]. Family and friends remember [her/him] as [DEFINING TRAIT]. [FIRST NAME] is survived by [her/his] [SPOUSE], children [CHILDREN], [NUMBER] grandchildren, and [OTHER FAMILY]. [She/He] was preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. A [funeral service / 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 OR CAUSE] in [her/his] memory.
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 do I use this obituary template in Microsoft Word?
Copy the body text below, open a new Word document, and paste it in. Replace the bracketed placeholders with your details and adjust the pronouns. Save as .docx if you plan to email the file to the funeral home or to family for review.
Does this template work in Google Docs?
Yes. Google Docs reads the same plain text. Copy the body, paste it into a new doc, and edit. If you need to hand the file to a funeral home that prefers Word, use File then Download then Microsoft Word.
What font and spacing should I use?
For a personal copy, any readable serif (Times New Roman, Georgia) at 11 or 12 point works. For a printed funeral program, ask the funeral home for their style. Newspapers will reformat the text to match their column layout.
Should I bold or italicize anything?
Keep formatting minimal. Bold the person's name on first reference if you like, but skip heavy italics, color, or decorative fonts. The newspaper will strip them out, and a printed program looks cleaner with simple type.