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What is the proper format for an obituary?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jun 19, 2026

What is the proper format for an obituary?

A standard obituary format begins with the following information about the deceased:

  • Full name, including first, middle, maiden, and last names, and suffixes, such as Jr. or Sr.
  • Age at the time of death.
  • City and state of most current residence.
  • Time and place of death.
  • Cause of death (optional)

How do you write an obituary for a family member?

Be sure to include:

  1. The full name of the deceased, including nicknames.
  2. The age of the deceased at the time of death.
  3. The city or town of residence at the time of death.
  4. A list of immediate surviving family members.
  5. A brief summary of the deceased’s life.
  6. Memorial or funeral details with the address and date.

What do you say at the end of an obituary?

At the end of an obituary a special message is sometimes found, such as ‘in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to..’ or ‘Special Thanks to the staff at General Hospital for..’ or ‘We will always carry your memory in our hearts’. Sometimes a short prayer or a line from a poem is placed at the end.

How do you say private service in an obituary?

2. If services are public, include full funeral service information: location, day, and time of visitation, memorial or funeral service, and burial. If services are private, indicate so (for example, “Burial will be private” or “Interment private,” or “Private services will be held”).

Should step children be mentioned in an obituary?

There are no rules for how to handle this kind of obituary writing challenge, but it’s important to include all step-siblings and half-siblings in the obituary notice, if you are making a list of family members.

What should you not say in an obituary?

What You Don’t Have to Include in an Obituary

  • Exact birth date. More people are choosing to leave out the deceased’s exact birth date when writing an obituary.
  • Mother’s maiden name.
  • Address.
  • Education.
  • Ex-spouses.
  • Children.
  • Jobs or careers.
  • Cause of death.