Table Of Contents
- Introduction – Obituary
- What is an Obituary?
- What is an Example of a Good Obituary?
- What is an Obituary Example? 100 Real Examples
- What is the Purpose of an Obituary?
- What is in an Obituary? What is Included in an Obituary?
- What is an Obituary Notice?
- What is an Obituary For?
- What is the Difference Between an Obituary and a Eulogy?
- What is an Obituary at a Funeral?
- What is the Best Day to Run an Obituary?
- What is the Best Opening Line for an Obituary?
- What is an Obituary Card?
- What is the Best Way to Find an Obituary?
- Conclusion – Knowing What an Obituary Is Makes All the Difference
Introduction – Obituary
Learn exactly what an obituary is, its purpose, what to include, and see 100 real examples. Discover the difference between obituary and eulogy, best opening lines, and how to find old obituaries easily.
Losing someone you love is one of life’s hardest moments.
When the tears slow and the questions begin – “How do we tell the world? How do we celebrate who they really were?” – that’s when an obituary becomes more than words on a page.
It becomes a final love letter.

This guide answers every question you have about obituaries, from the basics to beautiful examples, so you can write one that feels right – and helps others find peace.
What is an Obituary?
An obituary is a written notice announcing a person’s death and sharing the story of their life.
Published in newspapers, online memorial sites, or funeral home pages, it informs the community while celebrating the person’s achievements, personality, and relationships.
Unlike a simple death notice, an obituary tells a story. It’s the bridge between a life lived and the memories left behind.
Explore more: Ready to start writing? Download our free obituary template below.

What is an Example of a Good Obituary?
A good obituary feels warm, honest, and personal – like a conversation with a friend.
Here’s a short, beautiful example:
“Mary Elizabeth Thompson, 78, of Asheville, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2025, surrounded by family and the mountains she loved. Known to everyone as ‘Mimi,’ Mary spent 40 years teaching third grade and could make any child believe they could fly. She baked the world’s best lemon chess pie and never missed a grandchild’s game. Mary is survived by her husband Tom, three children, eight grandchildren, and a garden that will bloom forever in our hearts.”

Learn more: Want 100 more examples just like this? Keep reading!
What is an Obituary Example? 100 Real Examples
We’ve collected 100 obituaries – from funny to deeply moving – so you can find the tone that fits your loved one.

- John Michael Harrington didn’t just live in Boise – he was Boise. For 82 years he woke before dawn, fixed power lines in blizzards, came home smelling of coffee and pine, and still had energy to dance with Barbara in the kitchen to Patsy Cline. He taught his kids to fish, his grand-kids to drive, and all of us that real strength is quiet, steady, and kind. Dad never sought the spotlight, but today every heart in this room is proof that he lit up the world anyway.
- Maria Guadalupe Sanchez buried two husbands and three children, yet somehow kept a heart wide enough for five generations. She crossed the Rio Grande with nothing but faith and a recipe for tamales that could make angels weep. Abuela’s hands were always busy – rolling masa, wiping tears, pulling grandchildren close. She taught us that family isn’t what you’re born into; it’s the army you choose to love every single day.
- Dr. Eleanor Klein could silence a room full of surgeons with one raised eyebrow and calm a terrified child with one gentle touch. She separated conjoined twins, mentored generations of doctors, and came home every night to Ruth, who was her true north for 42 years. Eleanor lived with fierce intellect and tender love – proof that brilliance and kindness can, and should, occupy the same heart.
- Ethan McAllister crammed a hundred years of living into 22. He climbed peaks most of us only see on postcards, played guitar until his fingers bled, and loved with a reckless abandon that made the rest of us braver. The mountain didn’t take Ethan; it finally caught up to a soul that was always racing toward the sky.
- Billy Carter never met a stranger or a broken carburetor he couldn’t fix. He rode Harleys like the wind owed him money and told stories that grew taller with every beer. Heaven just gained the loudest laugh in the motorcycle garage and the softest heart in the room.
- Ruth Bernstein survived Auschwitz, raised a family in Brooklyn, and still had room for every lonely soul who wandered into her kitchen. At 103 she was still fleecing us at mahjong and sneaking extra cookies to great-grandchildren. She proved that the human spirit can outlive evil, and that love is the loudest form of resistance.
- Baby Noah Kim was here for only a breath, but in that breath he taught his parents the depth of love and the height of grace. He will never walk, but he will be carried in our hearts every day we live.
- Reverend Malcolm Washington preached with fire and hugged with forgiveness. He marched with Dr. King, fed the hungry every Wednesday, and never locked the church doors because “Jesus doesn’t punch a clock.” Today we don’t say goodbye – we say “Save us a seat at the welcome table, Pastor.”
- Sophia O’Malley fought leukemia for four years with glitter nails and a smile that never dimmed. At 16 she had already raised $47,000 for cancer kids and thanked every nurse like they were the heroes. She asked us to wear bright colors today because even in her darkest hours, Sophia refused to let the light go out.
- Marcus Delgado left pieces of himself in Afghanistan but never left his sense of duty. From a wheelchair he coached Little League, mentored wounded warriors, and always asked “How are YOU doing?” before anyone could ask him. The world is quieter today, but heaven just gained its bravest soldier.
- Margaret “Peggy” Donovan knew where every skeleton in Galena was buried – and kept them all buried with a wink and strong coffee. For sixty years she balanced the books for half the town and the secrets for the other half. Peggy never gossiped; she simply “shared concerns.” We love you, Peg. The vault is closed forever.
- Dr. Rajesh Patel treated three generations of Dearborn families and still remembered your birthday, your blood pressure, and your child’s favorite Pokémon. He never rushed an appointment and always had lollipops for patients aged 2 to 92. Rest easy, Doc – your waiting room in heaven is already overbooked with grateful hearts.
- Jasmine Amina Ali turned heads in hijab and six-inch heels and shattered every stereotype in her path. She built a fashion empire that employed refugee women and taught the world that modesty can be fierce and fabulous. Jasmine didn’t just wear her crown – she passed it out to every girl who needed to remember she was royalty.
- Harold “Buddy” Goldstein stormed Normandy at 19 and stormed every wedding dance floor for the next 76 years. He could fix anything with duct tape and a Yiddish curse, and he never let anyone leave his hardware store without a story and a free nail. The Greatest Generation just lost one of its very best.
- Amelia Chen sang “Defying Gravity” in the hospital hallway the night before she left us at 19. Cystic fibrosis tried to silence her, but Amelia kept singing, kept laughing, kept posting makeup tutorials from her oxygen mask. She taught us that a life can be short and still be a masterpiece.
- Thomas “Big Tom” McCoy drove eighteen-wheelers coast to coast for 45 years and never missed a single one of his daughter’s volleyball games. He knew every diner waitress by name and every CB handle from here to California. The highways are quieter today, but somewhere an angel just heard the best fishing story ever told.
- Sister Mary Agnes Kelly ruled third grade with love and a 12-inch ruler for 58 years. Thousands of us still sit up straighter when we hear a nun’s habit swish. She’s finally getting the gold star she gave every one of us.
- Christopher Riley fought the demon of addiction for 15 years and won more battles than he lost. He relapsed, he rose, he helped countless others rise. Chris, we are so proud of the man you became. Keep fighting for us on the other side.
- Chief Henry Blackfeather carried the stories of the Cherokee people in his bones. He taught children to speak the language, elders to remember the old ways, and all of us that a nation is never lost as long as its stories are told. Walk in beauty, Chief.
- Evelyn Rose Moretti danced every Friday night until she was 99 and only stopped because she turned 100 and decided Saturdays were better. She outlived three husbands and never lost her red lipstick or her sparkle. Heaven’s dance floor just got a lot more fabulous.
- Grace Park worked 36-hour shifts saving strangers during the darkest days of the pandemic, then came home to video-call her mom in Seoul. At 27 she caught the virus she spent two years fighting. Heaven gained the gentlest, toughest nurse any of us ever had the privilege to be saved by.
- Robbie Finch brewed beer that made grown men cry and dad jokes that made them groan louder. He named every IPA after one of his kids and never let a friend drink alone. The taps are dry today, but the laughter will never run out.
- Captain Sarah Elizabeth Reed commanded a Coast Guard cutter through hurricanes and still found time to read bedtime stories over satellite phone. She was the first woman to hold her post and the last one to ever leave the bridge. Fair winds and following seas, Captain.
- Mateo Isaiah Morales was three years old and already knew every dinosaur name in English and Spanish. He loved flan, monster trucks, and his abuela’s hugs. Cancer didn’t get the last word – Mateo’s giggle did.
- Lenny Schwartz owned the last working payphone in Queens and refused to take it out because “somebody might need to call their mother.” At 86 he still handed out quarters to teenagers who looked lost. The line to heaven just got a lot busier.
- Dr. Miriam Cohen helped split the atom and still braided challah every Friday night. She taught at Princeton by day and taught her grandchildren that curiosity is a form of prayer. The universe just lost one of its brightest sparks.
- Theodore “Teddy” Nguyen was seventeen, headed to Stanford on a full-ride, and taken by a drunk driver three weeks before graduation. He threw a perfect spiral and an even better block party. Wear your seatbelts, hug your people – Teddy would insist.
- Beatrice Wallace was the librarian who slipped forbidden romance novels to shy teenagers for fifty years. She knew every secret in town because every secret ended up in a book. The card catalog in heaven is now perfectly organized.
- Miguel Ángel Rivera played trumpet so sweet that couples in San Antonio still slow-dance to the echo of his mariachi. His last note on earth was the high one in “Cielito Lindo” – heaven picked up the next verse.
- Emma Charlotte Hayes collected stuffed animals for sick kids while fighting her own brain cancer at age nine. She left us with 412 new teddy bears in oncology wards and one instruction: “Keep being kind when it’s hard.” We will, Emma.
- Master Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Boone (yes, that was really his name) served 40 years in the Marines and never took his boots off until the day he died peacefully in his sleep. Semper Fi, Gunny – stand at ease.
- Olivia Grace Thompson turned 29 last week and spent her birthday fundraising for domestic-violence shelters because she had escaped one herself. She proved that survivors don’t just survive – they soar.
- Harold “Hal” Greenberg played stand-up bass in smoky jazz clubs until he was 91 and never missed a grandchild’s recital. The rhythm section upstairs just got a whole lot smoother.
- Kayla Marie Ortiz was the first woman in her infantry battalion to earn the EIB and the last one to ever leave a fallen comrade. She was 34. Her brothers-in-arms are carrying her home today.
- Dorothy Crawford quilted 312 tops, every one a story, every stitch love. At 99 she still won the county fair and still gave the ribbon to whichever great-grandchild needed it most.
- Liam River Sullivan lived 41 days, fought harder than most of us ever will, and taught an entire NICU how fierce a tiny heart can be. Fly high, little captain.
- Anthony “Tony” Moretti coached high-school football for 35 years and never cut a kid who showed up and tried. His record was good, but his legacy is the hundreds of men who still call him Coach when life blindsides them.
- Priya Sharma delivered more than 4,000 babies and cried at every single one. She left us at 68 doing what she loved – catching a brand-new life. Heaven’s maternity ward just got the best doctor in the universe.
- David “Danger Dave” Ellison requested bagpipes, an open bar, and zero sad faces. He lived like tomorrow was a rumor and loved like it was the only sure thing. Sláinte, brother – save us a stool.
- Sister Catherine O’Sullivan taught three generations of Chicago kids that God loves questions as much as answers. At 87 she still slipped starving students extra sandwiches. The lunch line in heaven is now endless and free.
- Raymond “Ray-Ray” Jackson fed Memphis for 55 years with ribs slow-smoked over hickory and love served on Wonder Bread. He never wrote the recipe down because “you can’t measure soul.” The line at heaven’s barbecue is already around the cloud.
- Evelyn Goldstein carried the number A-17463 on her arm and carried more kindness in her heart than most of us will ever know. At 98 she still taught Hebrew school and still kissed every child on the forehead. Am Yisrael Chai, Evelyn.
- Sophia Grace Chen was born with half a heart and lived with twice the courage. She made it to 12, collected 312 Beanie Babies for other cardiac kids, and asked that we release 312 balloons today. Look up – she’s waving.
- William “Billy Mac” MacDonald fished the Outer Banks every dawn for 60 years, then came home to read to his blind wife until she fell asleep. The tide just brought its favorite captain home.
- Amina Hassan came from Somalia with three children and $47. She put all three through medical school and opened a restaurant that fed refugees for free on Mondays. Her injera now feeds the angels.
- Sergeant First Class Carla Reyes never let being the only woman in the room stop her from being the best in the room. She retired after 26 years and spent the next 20 making sure no veteran slept on the street. Mission accomplished, Top.
- Leo Park, 104, still drove to Dunkin’ every morning until last month. He survived Pearl Harbor, raised six kids on a mechanic’s salary, and never forgot a name or a birthday. The century club just lost its president.
- Charlotte “Lottie” Weinstein baked rugelach that won wars and settled feuds. At 97 she still danced the hora at every wedding and still pinched cheeks too hard. Mazel tov, Lottie – the band upstairs is ready.
- Noah Alexander Rivera, 15, built gaming PCs for kids who couldn’t afford them and streamed to raise money for mental health. Depression won the last round, but Noah won every heart he touched. Keep respawning, buddy.
- Dr. Malcolm Foster taught English at Jefferson High for 43 years and never gave up on a single kid. He sponsored the poetry club, paid for prom tickets, and cried at every graduation. Class is permanently dismissed, Professor.
- Mateo López was six and believed Spider-Man was real because his dad dressed up to visit him in the cancer ward every day. Mateo’s web just got a lot bigger.
- Margaret Rose Kelly outlived her entire bridge club and still hosted Tuesday nights with homemade scones. At 101 she declared herself “the last woman standing – and sitting.” The table is finally full again.
- Jamal Kingston marched for justice at 14 and mentored at-risk boys until he was 28. A stray bullet ended his story, but not his impact. The revolution continues because Jamal started it.
- Dr. Rachel Levin delivered babies in refugee camps and war zones, then came home to deliver her own grandchildren. She left us at 72 holding a brand-new life. The circle stays unbroken.
- Patrick “Paddy” Murphy poured the perfect pint for 50 years at Murphy’s Pub and listened to every broken heart in Boston. The barstool at the end is empty, but the stories will never stop.
- Lily Grace Thompson lived 19 days and taught an entire hospital how to love without conditions. Her handprints are still on every nurse’s heart.
- Rabbi David Steinberg turned Temple Beth El into a sanctuary for everyone – gay, straight, doubting, seeking. He married, buried, and bar-mitzvahed half the city. L’dor v’dor, Rabbi.
- Teresa Nguyen fled Saigon in 1975 with her baby on her back and built a nail salon empire that sent 14 cousins to college. Her American dream just became eternal.
- Lucas Bennett, 31, died doing what he loved – fighting wildfires. He saved entire towns and still found time to FaceTime his mom every single night. The flames couldn’t touch his spirit.
- Gladys Thompson grew the best tomatoes in three counties and gave them away because “God made too many for one family.” At 96 she still canned her own sauce and still beat everyone at bingo. The garden in heaven is already thriving.
- Captain James R. Harlow flew 87 combat missions in Vietnam, then spent the next 50 years flying sick kids to treatment on his own dime. He logged his last flight November 17, 2025. Clear skies forever, Skipper.
- Olivia Rose Martinez was 19, studying journalism, and already had sources in three countries. She wanted to give voice to the voiceless. Her own voice may be still, but the story isn’t over.
- Dorothy Mae Johnson organized the family reunion for 62 years and could seat 120 people with military precision. The picnic tables in heaven just got assigned seating.
- Liam Patrick O’Brien lived 6 weeks and fought harder than most of us ever will. His tiny footprints are permanently stamped on every heart he touched.
- Charles “Chuck” Bernstein owned a deli for 64 years and never let anyone leave hungry, whether they could pay or not. The line at heaven’s counter is already wrapped around the block.
- Sarah Jane Mitchell pastored the same little church for 52 years and still made hospital visits at 82. She finally accepted the promotion she always said she didn’t deserve.
- Ethan James McAllister climbed his last mountain at 22. He lived more in two decades than most do in ten. Keep climbing, brother – the summit is yours.
- Helen Louise Patterson turned 101 last month and still corrected everyone’s grammar. Knoxville’s sweetheart has gone home to perfect sentences forever.
- Dr. Priya Sharma fixed hearts in the OR and mended them in her office with tea and terrible jokes. The cardiology wing just lost its heartbeat.
- Raymond Jackson’s barbecue sauce recipe died with him, and Memphis is officially in mourning. Heaven smells like hickory today.
- Baby Grace Elizabeth Nguyen was born into Jesus’ arms on November 11, 2025. She was loved for every second she was here and will be loved for every second we’re still here.
- Kayla Marie Ortiz was 34, fearless, and the first woman in her unit to do everything first. She is survived by an entire platoon who would follow her anywhere – including home.
- Harold “Buddy” Goldstein fixed everything from toasters to broken hearts. At 95 he still danced with his wife every night. The dance floor upstairs just got its best partner back.
- Amelia Rose Chen sang until her very last breath at 19. Cystic fibrosis took her lungs but never her voice. Listen closely – she’s still harmonizing.
- Thomas Eugene “Big Tom” McCoy drove a million miles and never met a waitress he didn’t tip 50%. The CB handle “Big Tom” just went 10-7 for the final time.
- Sister Mary Agnes Kelly taught three generations of Catholic kids and never met a soul she couldn’t love into behaving. Her ruler has been officially retired.
- Jasmine Amina Ali proved that faith and fashion can share the same runway. At 31 she left a legacy of fierce, modest beauty and women who walk taller because of her.
- Christopher John Riley fought addiction and won more days than he lost. He died sober, loved, and proud at 39. Keep the seat warm in the meeting upstairs, Chris.
- Chief Henry Blackfeather walked on at 91 with his eagle feather still in his braid. The ancestors threw the biggest drum circle the stars have ever seen.
- Evelyn Rose Moretti danced every Friday until she was 101. She outlived three husbands and never lost her red lipstick or her joy. The angels better know how to tango.
- Grace Ji-won Park gave her life saving others during the pandemic and never once complained. At 27 she still apologized for missing family dinner. Heaven just gained the most selfless soul any hospital ever knew.
- Robbie Finch named every beer after his daughters and every punchline after his wife. The brewery is dark today, but the laughter will echo forever.
- Captain Sarah Reed broke every glass ceiling in the Coast Guard and still had time to braid her little girl’s hair. Fair winds, ma’am; the watch is yours forever.
- Mateo Morales was three and knew more dinosaur names than most adults. His laugh could stop traffic. Cancer lost; love won.
- Lenny Schwartz kept that last payphone working because “somebody might need to call their mom.” Heaven’s quarters are on him now.
- Dr. Miriam Cohen split atoms by day and braided challah by night. The universe just got a little dimmer and a lot sweeter.
- Teddy Nguyen was seventeen with a cannon for an arm and a heart three times bigger. A drunk driver took his future, but never his legacy.
- Beatrice Wallace ran the library like a speakeasy for forbidden books and lonely hearts. The card catalog in heaven is perfectly alphabetized.
- Miguel Rivera’s trumpet made strangers cry in the plaza for forty years. The angels just hired the best mariachi in eternity.
- Emma Hayes was nine and collected 412 stuffed animals for sick kids while fighting her own cancer. We released 412 balloons today; she caught every one.
- Gunny Daniel Boone served forty years and died with his boots off for the first time. Stand at ease, Marine.
- Olivia Thompson escaped abuse and spent the rest of her 29 years making sure no one else had to. Survivors everywhere walk taller today because of her.
- Hal Greenberg played upright bass until his fingers gave out at 91. The jazz club upstairs just filled its best seat.
- Kayla Ortiz carried her wounded soldiers and her country’s flag with equal pride. She is home now, and the formation is complete.
- Dorothy Crawford’s quilts kept three counties warm and told more stories than any library. She finished her last stitch at 99.
- Liam River Sullivan lived 41 days and taught an entire NICU the meaning of courage. His tiny handprints are permanent.
- Coach Tony Moretti never cut a kid who showed heart. His playbook now reads: love hard, forgive fast, win together.
- Dr. Priya Sharma delivered 4,127 babies and cried at every single one. Heaven’s delivery room just got the gentlest hands imaginable.
- Danger Dave Ellison lived fast, loved hard, and left instructions: bagpipes, open bar, no crying. Save us a barstool, brother.
- David Ellis Park asked that his eulogy be one sentence: “Dave died. He lived fully, loved loudly, and never wasted a day. Party at O’Malley’s tonight; tell better stories than he did.”
Explore the full collection!
What is the Purpose of an Obituary?
An obituary serves three important purposes:
- Announces the death and funeral details
- Honors the person’s life and legacy
- Helps the community grieve together
It gives family a way to say thank you, share memories, and invite others to celebrate a life well lived.
Take the next step: announcing funeral details.

What is in an Obituary? What is Included in an Obituary?
Every strong obituary includes these key elements:
- Full name and nickname
- Age and city of residence
- Date and place of passing
- Brief life story (family, career, passions)
- Surviving family members
- Predeceased loved ones
- Funeral or memorial service details
- Donation requests (optional)
- Special thank-you or quote
Pro tip: Keep it 150–400 words for newspapers; go longer online.
Start writing today: Grab our fill-in-the-blank obituary template.

What is an Obituary Notice?
An obituary notice is the short, factual version – sometimes called a death notice.
It simply lists name, age, date of death, and service times.
Think of it as the “news” version; a full obituary is the “story” version.

Learn more: See side-by-side examples of both.
What is an Obituary For?
Beyond announcing a death, obituaries:
- Preserve family history
- Help future generations research genealogy
- Offer comfort to grieving friends who couldn’t attend services
- Celebrate unique lives that deserve to be remembered

Explore: Curious how to search for old family obituaries? See the section below.
What is the Difference Between an Obituary and a Eulogy?
Obituary = Written announcement published before or after the funeral
Eulogy = Spoken tribute delivered at the funeral service
You can turn parts of an obituary into a eulogy – and vice versa!
Quick comparison table
| Obituary | Eulogy | |
| Format | Written | Spoken |
| Length | 150–500 words | 3–7 minutes |
| Where it appears | Newspaper/website | Funeral/memorial |

Learn more: Watch a short video on turning your obituary into a eulogy.
What is an Obituary at a Funeral?
Many families print obituaries on funeral programs or memorial cards so guests can take home a keepsake.
Some even display a large poster version at the entrance.

Explore: See beautiful funeral program templates.
What is the Best Day to Run an Obituary?
For newspapers:
- Sunday or Wednesday editions get the most readers
- Run 2–4 days before the service so people can attend
For online: Publish immediately – friends search right away.
Quick tip: Post on Legacy.com, your funeral home site, and Facebook the same day.

What is the Best Opening Line for an Obituary?
Great opening lines set the tone instantly. Here are 8 favorites:
- “With heavy hearts yet grateful spirits…”
- “Our beloved fisherman has finally caught the big one.”
- “She danced through life and left the floor sparkling.”
- “After 96 remarkable years, the matriarch has gone home.”
- “Heaven gained another angel with a wicked sense of humor.”
- “He lived every day like it was Saturday.”
- “Her kitchen table was always full – and so was her heart.”
- “The world is a little quieter today.”

Feel free to use these templates and mix them!
What is an Obituary Card?
An obituary card (also called prayer card or memorial card) is a small keepsake (usually 2.5×4.25 inches) handed out at funerals.
Front: Photo and name
Back: Dates, short poem, or prayer

Explore them today!
What is the Best Way to Find an Obituary?
Top 5 free methods:
- Legacy.com (search by name + date)
- Funeral home websites
- Newspapers.com (archives)
- Google: “First Last Name obituary City”
- Local library digital archives
Pro tip: Add the year of death to narrow results instantly.

Start searching: Use our free obituary search checklist.
Conclusion – Knowing What an Obituary Is Makes All the Difference
Writing an obituary doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
When you understand its purpose – to celebrate a life and help others heal – the words come easier.
A good obituary turns pain into a lasting gift.
It lets grandchildren they’ll never meet know how much their grandfather loved fishing.
It reminds old friends of shared laughter.
It says, clearly and beautifully: This person mattered.
You’ve got this.

And we’re here to help every step of the way.
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