What to Include in an Obituary —
A Complete Checklist
You don't need to include everything. But knowing what's available helps you make intentional choices about what matters most.
Let us guide you through it →The essential information
These are the facts every obituary should include. They form the foundation that everything else builds on.
Full name
Include maiden name, nicknames, or the name they were commonly known by. Many people went by a middle name or a shortened version — use the name that will be recognised.
Date of birth
If the exact date is unknown, an approximate year is acceptable. "Born circa 1940" is better than an error.
Date of passing
If the family has chosen not to publish this, it can be omitted gracefully. But most obituaries include it.
City at passing
The city where they lived or passed — not necessarily the hospital. "Of Millbrook" or "of Cedar Falls" is the standard phrasing.
Service details
Date, time, location, and whether it's open to the public. Readers often scan directly for this — give it its own clear paragraph.
Survivors
List by relationship: spouse first, then children (with spouses), grandchildren, siblings. Convention matters here.
Preceded in death by
Parents, siblings, a spouse if applicable. This is a standard feature of the form and readers expect to see it.
The life narrative
These details are optional but they're what transform an obituary from a notice into a tribute. Include as many as feel true and important.
Birthplace
Where they were born and grew up. Place of origin is part of identity — it often explains the person.
Career / occupation
What they did and for how long. Focus on what the work meant, not just the title.
Education
Notable degrees or institutions, if relevant to who they were or how they're remembered.
Military service
Branch, era, and any notable service. Veterans often want this acknowledged.
Faith and community
Church, synagogue, mosque, civic groups, volunteer work. Where they invested their time outside of work.
Hobbies and passions
Gardening, woodworking, cooking, fishing — these ground the person in the reader's imagination.
Personality traits
2–3 adjectives that people who loved them would agree on. Be specific rather than generic.
A favourite memory
A specific, concrete moment that captures who they were. One real memory does more than a paragraph of description.
A verbatim quote
Something they said often, a piece of advice they gave, or a phrase that was uniquely theirs.
The practical details
Include these if they apply.
Visitation / wake details
Separate from the service if applicable. Date, time, location.
Donation information
Charity name and donation page URL. A specific charity is more meaningful than "in lieu of flowers."
Online memorial link
If the family has created one on a memorial website or social platform.
What you don't need to include
This list is here to relieve pressure. You don't need all of this.
- — Cause of death — completely optional, and increasingly omitted
- — Every job they ever held — choose the ones that mattered most
- — Full addresses of family members — city is enough
- — Their age if you have the dates — it's redundant
- — A photo — for written obituaries, photos are optional (some publications accept them; most don't require them)
Our wizard asks you all of this
Our guided form walks through every field in this checklist — step by step, with no pressure to fill in anything you don't know. Skip what doesn't apply; we'll write around it.
Start the Obituary →