Obituary Helper

Let's write this together

Writing an obituary when your heart is broken is a hard thing to be handed. Pick the words that sound like your person, and leave out anything that doesn't fit. Every choice can be changed.

What you type stays on your own screen. We don't see it or save it, so copy your obituary before you close this page.

This is a made-up example so you can see how it works.

1. Who are we honoring?

Full name What everyone called them Optional

Age Hometown Date they died

Words to use This was

Who is this from?

Faith

2. How to begin Saying how they died is your choice

3. Their life

Fill in only what you want to share. Blank boxes simply stay out.

Where they were born Birth dateMonth and year is safer

Parents

What filled their days? Work, a calling, raising a family. Start with "a" or "the."

They were Spouse or partner Leave blank if there wasn't one Year they married Time together

Schooling Optional Church, clubs, and groups Optional They served in the military It wasn't always easy with them

4. Who they were

Tap as many as fit. Three or four usually reads best.

Add your own Separate each one with a comma

What they loved

Add your own Anything only your family would say A funny story, a saying, the thing they always did

5. Their family

Family is whoever loved them. Name people the way they would want to be named.

Those who died before them

Those they leave behind

Beloved pets Optional Add "and the many others who called them family"

6. The service What are you planning?

Day Time Place

Visitation Optional Burial Optional

Reception Optional Watch online Link or where to find it

Who would you like to thank? Optional Flowers and gifts Funeral home Optional

A word of caution from families who learned this the hard way: thieves read obituaries. Leave out the home address. The FBI and AARP also suggest leaving out the full birth date, birthplace, middle name, and mother's maiden name, so share those only if your family is comfortable. If you list the service time, ask someone to stay at the house.

7. The last line

A verse, prayer or saying to end with Optional