If you're here, you're facing something no parent should ever have to face. I'm so sorry.
Writing your child's obituary can feel impossible. There may be so much you want to say, or there may be no words at all. Both are okay. There's no right length and no wrong way to do this. A few simple, loving sentences are enough.
Below are gentle examples you can borrow from, shorten, or change in any way. Take your time. You can come back to this page whenever you need to, and it's okay to ask someone you trust to help you write it.
In This Guide
- For a Baby
- For a Young Child
- For a School-Age Child
- For a Teen
- A Short, Simple Version
- Gentle Guidance
For a Baby
Our beloved son, Elijah James Carter, was born on May 12, 2026, and went to be with the angels on May 14, 2026. Though his time with us was brief, Elijah filled our lives with a love we never knew was possible.
In his two days, he was held, sung to, and loved by everyone who met him. He had his daddy's dark hair and his big sister's tiny nose, and he held our fingers with the strongest little grip.
Elijah is lovingly remembered by his parents, Sarah and Daniel; his big sister, Lily; his grandparents; and a large family who will carry him in their hearts forever.
A private service will be held for family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NICU at St. Mary's Hospital, whose nurses cared for Elijah so tenderly.
If your baby was born still, our post on poems for a stillbirth or pregnancy loss may offer words for the program, too.
For a Young Child
Ava Grace Martinez, age 4, of Fresno, passed away on August 3, 2026, held in the arms of her mommy and daddy.
Ava loved bubbles, ladybugs, and wearing her purple rain boots on sunny days. She sang to her stuffed animals every night and never let anyone leave the house without a hug and a "see you later, alligator."
She was brave beyond her years, and her laugh could light up any room, even a hospital room.
Ava is survived by her parents, Maria and Luis; her baby brother, Mateo; her grandparents; and so many aunts, uncles, and cousins who adored her.
A celebration of Ava's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, at Sunrise Community Church. Ava's family invites guests to wear something purple, her favorite color.
For a School-Age Child
Noah Thomas Bennett, 9, of Lexington, passed away on September 15, 2026.
Noah was a third grader at Maple Elementary, where he was known for his big imagination and even bigger heart. He loved dinosaurs, building forts, and anything with wheels. He could name every dinosaur in his books and had big plans to become a paleontologist and "find a brand-new one."
Noah was a loyal friend who always made sure no one sat alone at lunch. He loved fishing with his grandpa, Saturday pancakes, and bedtime stories that went on "just one more chapter."
He is deeply loved and missed by his parents, Jessica and Ryan; his sisters, Emma and Claire; his grandparents; his classmates and teachers; and his dog, Rex.
A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, at Faith Lutheran Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Maple Elementary Library in Noah's name, so other children can discover the books he loved.
For a Teen
Madison "Maddie" Rose Sullivan, 16, of Boise, passed away on July 22, 2026.
Maddie was a junior at Centennial High School, where she played midfield on the varsity soccer team and sang in the school choir. She had a gift for making people feel seen, from the new kid in class to the elderly neighbor she visited every Sunday.
She loved road trips with the windows down, late-night baking experiments, and her collection of mismatched socks. She dreamed of becoming a nurse, and anyone who knew her knew she would have been a wonderful one.
Maddie is survived by her parents, Kevin and Amanda; her brother, Tyler; her grandparents; her best friends; and her teammates, who will play every game for her.
A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, at Centennial High School. All are welcome. Maddie's family asks guests to wear mismatched socks in her honor.
For more words to honor a teen, see our poems for a teen's funeral program.
A Short, Simple Version
Sometimes a few lines are all you can write, and that is enough.
[Child's full name], age [age], beloved [son/daughter] of [parents' names], passed away on [date]. [He/She] will be forever loved and forever missed by [his/her] family. A [private/public] service will be held [details].
Gentle Guidance
- You don't have to share how your child died. Many families choose not to, and that is completely okay. The obituary is about who they were, not how they died.
- A private service is okay. You can simply write "A private service will be held for family."
- Include siblings. Naming brothers and sisters, including any who passed before, helps them feel part of honoring their sibling.
- Small details say the most. A favorite color, a stuffed animal's name, a phrase they always said. These are the things people will remember.
- Consider a memorial gift in place of flowers: the hospital unit that cared for them, their school library, or a cause they loved.
- You may leave out the full birth date and home address. Many families include only the age and town, for privacy.
- Let someone help. A grandparent, close friend, pastor, or funeral director can write a draft for you to look over. You don't have to carry this alone.
Please be gentle with yourself. If writing this feels like too much today, it can wait until tomorrow, or someone else can hold the pen. Grief this deep doesn't follow any schedule.
Words and Support for the Days Ahead
- Poems for a Child's Funeral Program
- Poems for an Infant Funeral Program
- When Your Baby Dies: What to Ask For in the Hospital
- When a Child Loses a Brother or Sister
- When a Baby Dies: Helping Big Brothers and Sisters Grieve
If you're also preparing a program for the service, our gentle programs for babies and children are here when you're ready.
These obituary examples were written exclusively for Noted & Charmed by C. Lindorfer. All names and details are fictional. You're welcome to use and adapt them for your child's memorial. © Noted & Charmed. Not for commercial use, republication, or resale.
Your child's life mattered, no matter how long or short. Their love is still here. — Noted & Charmed