An obituary is a written article that reports the recent death of a person, typically along with an account of the person’s life and information about the upcoming funeral. It can be long or short in duration.

Many local newspapers have a section dedicated to Deaths and obituaries are found in this area. If you have used the services of a Funeral Director they will generally do this on your behalf and are able to guide you through the process and wording.

Writing an Obituary

If you have a family arranged funeral and wish to post an obituary in the local or national newspaper, they may help you with suggestions as to wording etc but the following is a general guide:

• name of deceased and what name they were known by if different.
• how and where the death occurred and the date.
• details of the funeral
• Surviving relatives
• Your wishes regarding flowers or donations

Short Obituary example

Mary Riley,  Address, Town

Following a short illness, bravely borne, Mary Riley died on 11 November 2015 at home with her family by her side.  A Funeral Service will take place on 25 November at (Location and Time).  Sadly missed by her loving husband Frank, children Charlotte  and Paul and grandchildren Jacob, Lily and Rosie.

Family flowers only and donations in lieu of flowers to (name of organisation)

Long Obituary example

Mary Riley,  Address, Town

Following a short illness, bravely borne, Mary Riley died on 11 November 2015 at the age of 75 at home with her family by her side. Mrs Riley leaves her husband Frank, daughter, Charlotte and son Paul and three grandchildren: Jacob, Lily and Rosie. A Funeral Service will take place on 25 November at (Location and Time). 

Family flowers only and donations in lieu of flowers to (name of organisation)

From a young age, Mrs Riley (nee O’Brien) was born and grew up in Ireland where she met and married her childhood sweetheart Frank Riley in 1950. They moved to England when their daughter Charlotte was born in 1953 and son Paul in 1956. Mr and Mrs Riley set-up and established a florist business in 1960 which went on to become a flourishing business locally and they continued develop and grow the business until their retirement.