Short Obituary Examples
Newspapers typically allow 75–150 words. These examples show how to honour a life completely — without a single wasted word.
Need a full-length version too? See our full obituary examples →What is a short obituary?
Newspaper publications charge by the word — families often need a concise version alongside a longer online tribute. A short obituary isn't a lesser tribute; it's a disciplined one. The constraint forces clarity. You keep what matters most and let everything else go.
A short obituary should include: the full name, dates, one defining characteristic, immediate survivors, and service details. That's enough. The examples below show how five different people can be honoured completely in under 100 words.
Five short obituary examples
Eleanor Grace Mitchell, 79, of Ashwood, passed away March 12th, 2024. A registered nurse for over thirty years and a faithful member of Ashwood United Methodist Church, she devoted her life to her patients, her family, and her community. She is survived by her husband, Gerald, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Ashwood United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 16th, at 11:00 a.m. Donations may be made to the St. Anne's Hospital Nursing Scholarship Fund.
Robert James Calloway, 74, of Cedar Falls, passed away September 6th, 2024, at home. A retired civil engineer with thirty-eight years of service to the state of Iowa, a fifteen-year little league coach, and a father of three. He is survived by his wife, Linda, three children, and six grandchildren. Graveside services at Maple Grove Cemetery, September 12th at 10:00 a.m.
Margaret Elaine Hartfield, 84, of Millbrook, passed away November 4th, 2024. For sixty years, Sunday mornings at her home meant biscuits from scratch and a table with room for everyone. A choir member at Millbrook Presbyterian Church for over fifty years and a grandmother who never missed a grandchild's birthday, she leaves behind the warmth she spent a lifetime creating. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Services at Millbrook Presbyterian Church, November 9th at 2:00 p.m.
Thomas Alan Mercer, 68, of Riverton, passed away January 28th, 2024. A high school history teacher for thirty-two years, a husband of forty-one years, and a father who attended every school play and every Saturday game. He is survived by his wife, Susan, two daughters, Jennifer (Paul) and Kate (Marc), and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of life will be held at Riverton High School on February 3rd at 1:00 p.m.
Patricia Anne Chen, 61, of Westover, passed away February 15th, 2024. A pharmacist for thirty years, a board member of the Westover Food Pantry, and a dedicated mentor to two decades of pharmacy students at Westover Community College. She is survived by her husband, David, two sons, and one daughter. Services will be private. Donations may be made to the Westover Food Pantry.
Short vs. full: what's the difference?
Using Eleanor Mitchell as an example — here's how the same life reads at 80 words versus 450.
Eleanor Grace Mitchell, 79, of Ashwood, passed away March 12th, 2024. A registered nurse for over thirty years and a faithful member of Ashwood United Methodist Church, she devoted her life to her patients, her family, and her community. She is survived by her husband, Gerald, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. Services at Ashwood United Methodist Church, March 16th at 11:00 a.m.
Eleanor Grace Mitchell, 79, of Ashwood, passed away on the evening of March 12th, 2024, with her daughters at her side. She was born in the small town of Harlan, Kentucky, the second of five children, on a February morning in 1945. She would tell anyone who asked that Harlan made her practical, and the rest of her life would prove it…
Read the full example →How to write a short obituary
-
✓
Start with name, dates, and one sentence
The opening sentence should name who they were, not just when they were born. One defining trait or role is enough.
-
✓
List immediate survivors
Spouse, children, grandchildren. Keep it tight — full names where appropriate, relationship first.
-
✓
Add service details on one line
Date, time, location. That's it. Readers scan for this.
-
✓
Cut adjectives
"Beloved" and "cherished" are filler. A specific fact — "thirty-two years of teaching history" — says more.
-
✓
Read it aloud
If any sentence can be removed without losing meaning, cut it. If it takes more than one breath, it's probably too long.
Our tool writes both versions
Our Premium plan generates both a full tribute and a newspaper-edition version — written in your chosen tone, downloaded as Word and PDF.
Write the Obituary →