An obituary is a heartfelt way to announce a loved one’s passing, celebrate their life, and invite others to join in remembrance. It’s a written tribute that captures their essence, sharing their story with family, friends, and communities. At NotedAndCharmed, we know how important it is to honor your loved one with a meaningful obituary, especially as part of a memorial service. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to include in an obituary, from essential details to personal touches, and provide a sample to inspire you. As a graphic specialist dedicated to creating lasting tributes, I’ve designed Canva editable funeral programs—like our "Cowboy Legacy Funeral Program" and "Simple Floral Memorial Funeral Program"—to complement your obituary with a beautiful keepsake. Whether you’re writing for a newspaper, a memorial program, or an online tribute, let’s create an obituary that reflects their unique legacy with love and care.

Start with the Basics: Name, Dates, and Passing Details

Every obituary begins with the essential details to announce the passing. Include your loved one’s full name, including any nicknames they were known by, their birth and death dates, and the date and location of their passing. This provides a clear starting point for the announcement. For example, you might write: "Jacob 'Jake' Anderson, born June 14, 1989, passed away on April 2, 2024, in Riverside, CA." Be sure to mention if the passing was sudden or after a long illness, if appropriate, to give context. These details help readers understand the timeline of their life and set the stage for the rest of the obituary.

Share Their Life Story: Family, Career, and Passions

Next, paint a picture of your loved one’s life by sharing key milestones. Mention their family—parents, spouse, children, grandchildren, or siblings—to highlight their loved ones. Include their career or life’s work, such as a military veteran’s service, a teacher’s dedication, or a cowboy’s ranching days. Don’t forget their passions and hobbies, like gardening, music, or rodeos, which reveal their personality. For example: "Jake was a devoted husband to Sarah, a loving father to Emily and Luke, and a proud rancher who spent his days riding the range." This section brings their story to life, helping readers connect with who they were beyond the dates.

Highlight Their Personality and Legacy

An obituary should capture what made your loved one special. Share their personality traits—were they kind, adventurous, or witty? Include a specific memory or trait that stands out, like their infectious laugh or their knack for storytelling. Mention their impact on others, such as mentoring young cowboys or tending a community garden. For example: "Jake’s warm smile and endless stories of the Wild West brought joy to everyone he met, leaving a legacy of love and laughter." This section adds depth, making the obituary a true reflection of their spirit and the mark they left on the world.

Include Service Details and Invitations 

Let readers know how they can join in honoring your loved one by including memorial service details. Mention the date, time, and location of the service, as well as whether it’s in-person, virtual, or both. If you’re using a NotedAndCharmed template, like the "Welder Iron Worker Funeral Program" , you can share a digital version for virtual attendees. Include any special requests, such as donations to a charity in lieu of flowers. For example: "A celebration of Jake’s life will be held on July 23, 2024, at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars are appreciated." This ensures everyone can participate in the tribute.

Add a Personal Touch with a Quote or Poem

A meaningful quote or poem can add an emotional touch to the obituary, reflecting your loved one’s beliefs or personality. Choose something that resonates with their life, like a Western poem for a cowboy or a nature verse for a gardener. For example, in our "Cowboy Legacy Funeral Program", we include “If I Should Go Tomorrow” to evoke healing and love. You might write: "In Jake’s memory, we share his favorite saying, ‘Ride hard, love deep,’ a testament to his cowboy spirit." This personal touch makes the obituary feel intimate and comforting, honoring their essence in a few poignant words.

Sample Obituary: A Cowboy’s Tribute

Here’s a sample obituary to inspire you, reflecting a cowboy theme: Jacob 'Jake' Anderson, born June 14, 1989, passed away on April 2, 2024, in Riverside, CA, after a courageous battle with illness. Jake was a devoted husband to Sarah, a loving father to Emily and Luke, and a proud rancher who spent his days riding the range. Born in Montana, he grew up with a love for the open plains, becoming a skilled cowboy known for his rodeo wins and gentle way with horses. Jake’s warm smile and endless stories of the Wild West brought joy to everyone he met, leaving a legacy of love and laughter. He was a mentor to young cowboys, always ready with a kind word or a lesson on the lasso. A celebration of Jake’s life will be held on July 23, 2024, at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars are appreciated. In Jake’s memory, we share his favorite saying, “Ride hard, love deep,” a testament to his cowboy spirit.

Crafting an obituary is a meaningful way to honor your loved one’s life, and pairing it with a personalized funeral program makes the tribute even more special. At NotedAndCharmed, our Canva editable templates—like the "Barber Funeral Program"  and "Rose and Dragonfly Funeral Program" —make it easy to create a keepsake that reflects their unique story. Explore our full collection on our shop to find the perfect design, from cowboy tributes to floral memorials. Let’s create a tribute that keeps their memory alive, with love and care. Need help with your obituary or program? Message us—we’re here to support you every step of the way.