Free Obituary Templates for Word. Editable & Printable
Free obituary templates to help you write and print a meaningful tribute. Download a printable design to edit in Word, or copy our ready-made wording and personalize it in minutes.
On this page:
- Free Word and PDF obituary templates
- Editable designs with text and photo placeholders
- Fill-in-the-blank obituary wording examples
- No signup required
Our Available Obituary Templates for Word
Obituary Template
Simple Centered Portrait
Obituary Template
Soft Forest Background
Obituary Template
Beach Sunset Celebration
Obituary Template
Classic Framed Portrait
Obituary Template
Minimal Christian Cross
Obituary Template
Classic, with Wheat Illustration
Obituary Template
Classic, with Floral Illustration
Obituary Template
Mountain Background Portrait
Obituary Template
Forest Letter Tribute
Obituary Template
Soft Sunset Memorial Card
Obituary Template
Christian Cross with Grey Sidebar
Obituary Template
Modern, with Wheat in Grey Sidebar
Obituary Template
Modern Floral Sidebar
Obituary Template
Formal Framed Notice
How to Create and Share Your Obituary
- Download the template: Choose a template above and download it to your computer.
- Customize in Word: Open the template in Microsoft Word (or Google Docs). Add the name, dates, photo, and personal details.
- Save as PDF: Click "File" → "Save As" and select PDF format.
- Share or publish: Email to family, submit to your local newspaper, post on the funeral home's website, or share via Legacy.com or similar memorial sites.
Struggling with Word Formatting?
Images won't stay in place? Text keeps jumping around? During an already difficult time, fighting with Word formatting is the last thing you need.
Try our Online Obituary Maker instead. You'll get a polished result in minutes—no formatting headaches, no software required. Just choose a design, fill in the details, and share a link instantly with family and friends anywhere in the world.
Fill-in-the-Blank Obituary Wording
Five ready-made templates you can copy, paste, and personalize. Each comes with a fillable version and a written-out example so you can see what the finished obituary will read like.
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No. 01
Short Newspaper Notice
A brief, factual announcement. Many U.S. newspapers charge by the line, so keep this one tight.
Best for local newspapers, paid death notices, and short online listings.
[Full name], [age], of [city, state], died [peacefully / unexpectedly / at home / surrounded by family] on [date].
[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse, children, grandchildren] and was preceded in death by [predeceased family, optional].
[A funeral service / A celebration of life / A private graveside service] will be held on [date] at [time] at [location]. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [organization].
Linda Grace Whitmore, 78, of Portland, Oregon, died peacefully at home on April 7, 2026.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Thomas, her children Sarah and James, and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister Carol.
A celebration of life will be held on April 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Riverbend Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Oregon Food Bank.
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No. 02
Traditional Full Obituary
A complete life narrative covering family, education, career, and service details. The format most newspapers and funeral home websites publish.
Best for a complete record of a life, suitable for printing, publishing, and saving.
[Full name], beloved [husband/wife/mother/father] and [relationship], died on [date] at the age of [age] in [city, state].
Born [birth date] in [birthplace] to [parents' names], [he/she/they] grew up in [hometown] and graduated from [high school], later earning a [degree] from [college/university].
[Name] married [spouse's name] on [wedding date], and together they made their home in [city/town], where they raised [number] children. [He/She/They] spent [years] with [employer or in profession] as a [role/title], retiring in [year].
Outside of work, [name] was known for [hobbies, interests, or community involvement] and was an active member of [church, club, or civic organization].
[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings], and was preceded in death by [parents and predeceased family].
A funeral service will be held on [date] at [time] at [location], with [burial / interment / committal] to follow at [cemetery]. Visitation will be held [date and time] at [funeral home]. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to [organization or cause].
James Patrick O'Connor, beloved husband and father, died on April 8, 2026, at the age of 83 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Born July 17, 1942, in Akron, Ohio, to Patrick and Mary O'Connor, he grew up in West Akron and graduated from Saint Vincent–Saint Mary High School, later earning a B.S. in Civil Engineering from John Carroll University.
Jim married Catherine Mulligan on June 6, 1968, and together they made their home in Shaker Heights, where they raised three children. He spent 38 years with the Ohio Department of Transportation as a senior civil engineer, retiring in 2007.
Outside of work, Jim was known for his woodworking, his unwavering devotion to the Cleveland Browns, and the homemade soda bread he brought to every gathering. He was an active member of St. Dominic Parish and the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, his children Patrick (Megan), Maureen (David), and Brian, seven grandchildren, and his brother Daniel. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Thomas.
A funeral Mass will be held on April 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Dominic Church, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brown-Forward Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of Cleveland.
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No. 03
Celebration of Life
A warmer, story-led tribute that focuses on character rather than dates and titles. Service details come at the end as an open invitation.
Best for informal services, memorial gatherings, and families who want the tone to feel personal.
[Full name] — [a few warm descriptors: "the neighborhood's quiet historian," "a wickedly good baker," "the friend who always picked up the phone"] — left us on [date], at the age of [age].
Those who knew [him/her/them] will remember [specific qualities: warmth, humor, generosity, a way of listening], and the small rituals [he/she/they] made into something meaningful — [example: Sunday phone calls, the front porch in summer, the same coffee order for forty years].
[Name] leaves behind [close family: spouse, children, grandchildren, chosen family], and a wide circle shaped by [his/her/their] [kindness/humor/steady presence].
Friends and family are warmly invited to a celebration of [his/her/their] life on [date] at [time] at [location]. Come share a story. If you wish to honor [name] further, donations may be made to [cause or organization].
Eleanor "Nora" Whitfield — the neighborhood's quiet historian, a wickedly good pie baker, and the friend who always picked up the phone — left us on April 9, 2026, at the age of 71.
Those who knew her will remember her warmth, her dry humor, and the small rituals she made into something meaningful — the Saturday farmer's market, the same booth at Marv's diner every Sunday, the front porch that gathered cousins and neighborhood kids until well past dark.
Nora leaves behind her husband Daniel, her daughters Claire and Maya, three grandchildren, and a wide circle of friends shaped quietly and steadily by her kindness.
Friends and family are warmly invited to a celebration of her life on April 25, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Linden Park Pavilion in Madison, Wisconsin. Come share a story. If you wish to honor Nora further, donations may be made to the Dane County Humane Society.
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No. 04
Faith-Based Obituary
Frames the passing through Christian faith and the church community. Adapt the church, sacraments, and scripture line to your family's tradition.
Best for Catholic and Protestant families, services held at a parish or church, or anyone whose faith was central to their life.
[Full name], [age], of [city, state], was called home to the Lord on [date], [surrounded by family / peacefully in their sleep].
Born [birth date] to [parents], [name] was baptized at [church] and raised in the [Catholic / Lutheran / Baptist / Methodist / etc.] faith, which guided [him/her/them] throughout [his/her/their] life.
[He/She/They] married [spouse] on [date] at [church], and together they raised [number] children in the faith. [Name] was a devoted member of [parish/congregation], where [he/she/they] served as [role: lector, choir member, deacon, Sunday school teacher, usher] for [years].
Those who knew [him/her/them] will remember [qualities rooted in faith: gentleness, generosity, prayerfulness, hospitality]. A favorite verse was [scripture reference, optional].
[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse, children, grandchildren] and is now reunited with [predeceased loved ones].
A [Mass of Christian Burial / funeral service / memorial service] will be celebrated on [date] at [time] at [church]. Visitation will be held [date and time]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [parish/ministry/Catholic Charities/etc.].
Theresa Marie Doherty, 85, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, was called home to the Lord on April 10, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Born February 2, 1941, to John and Agnes Halloran, Theresa was baptized at Holy Spirit Church and raised in the Catholic faith, which guided her throughout her life.
She married William Doherty on August 14, 1965, at Holy Spirit Church, and together they raised four children in the faith. Theresa was a devoted member of St. Pascal Baylon Parish, where she served as a lector and a Eucharistic minister for more than thirty years.
Those who knew her will remember her gentle spirit, her hospitality, and a kitchen that was never empty. A favorite verse was Philippians 4:13.
She is survived by her husband William, her children Michael, Kathleen, Anne, and Daniel, and eleven grandchildren. She is now reunited with her parents and her infant son Joseph.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on April 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church. Visitation will be held the evening prior, April 23, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a rosary at 6:30. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Catholic Charities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
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No. 05
Veteran & Military Tribute
Leads with rank, branch, and service record. Includes optional language for military honors at the service.
Best for service members and veterans of any branch, with or without combat service.
[Rank, e.g. SFC] [Full name], [U.S. Army / Navy / Air Force / Marine Corps / Coast Guard / Space Force] [(Ret.) / Veteran], [age], of [city, state], passed away on [date].
Born [birth date] in [birthplace] to [parents], [he/she/they] enlisted in [year] and served honorably until [year], with assignments at [bases or units]. [He/She/They] served during [conflict: Vietnam / Gulf War / Iraq / Afghanistan / Cold War / peacetime] and was awarded the [decorations: e.g. Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal].
After [his/her/their] service, [name] returned to [city], where [he/she/they] worked as a [civilian career] for [years]. [He/She/They] married [spouse] in [year], and they raised [number] children together.
[Name] remained active in the veteran community as a member of [VFW Post #, American Legion, DAV, etc.], and was known for [qualities or interests].
[He/She/They] is survived by [spouse, children, grandchildren], and was preceded in death by [predeceased family and fellow service members].
A funeral service with military honors will be held on [date] at [time] at [location]. Interment will follow at [national cemetery or local cemetery]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [Wounded Warrior Project / DAV / a local VFW post / Tunnel to Towers].
SFC Richard "Rick" Alan Carver, U.S. Army (Ret.), 77, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on April 11, 2026.
Born September 3, 1948, in Dayton, Ohio, to Harold and Lucille Carver, he enlisted in 1966 and served honorably until 1988, with assignments at Fort Benning, Fort Bragg, and the 1st Cavalry Division. He served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and three Army Commendation Medals.
After his service, Rick returned to Texas, where he worked as a maintenance supervisor for the San Antonio Independent School District for 22 years. He married Linda Trevino in 1972, and they raised two sons together.
Rick remained active in the veteran community as a member of VFW Post 8541 and the American Legion, and was known for his quiet humor, his backyard smoker, and the kids' baseball teams he coached for over a decade.
He is survived by his wife Linda, his sons Daniel and Michael (Sarah), four grandchildren, and his sister Janet. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-arms, Sgt. Tommy Reyes.
A funeral service with military honors will be held on April 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Writing a Meaningful Obituary: A Guide
Writing an obituary while grieving is hard. This guide covers the essential elements of a US-style obituary to help you honor your loved one and inform others.
Essential Information
Most obituaries include:
- Full name: Include middle name or initial, and maiden name if applicable.
- Dates of birth and death: Month, day, and year.
- Place of death: City and state.
- Age at death: Often included.
- Place of birth: City and state (optional).
Sharing Their Life Story
Personalize the obituary by briefly highlighting:
- Key life details: Where they grew up, education, career, military service, achievements.
- Personal touches: Hobbies, passions, personality traits (e.g., "known for his quick wit," "loved tending her garden," "never missed a Packers game").
- Focus: What made them special? Keep it concise but warm.
Family Members (Survivors & Predeceased)
List close family using standard phrasing:
- Survived by: Typically spouse/partner, children (and spouses), grandchildren, parents, siblings. Close friends or caregivers can be included.
- Preceded in death by: Close family who passed away before them. Optional but common.
Service Information
Provide clear details:
- Type: Funeral, memorial service, celebration of life, visitation, graveside service.
- Date and time: Day, date, and time.
- Location: Venue name and full address.
- Other details: Reception, burial/interment, livestream link if applicable.
Flowers and Donations
- In lieu of flowers: If the family prefers donations, name the charity and include a website or address.
- Flowers welcome: This is assumed unless stated otherwise. Include the funeral home address if flowers should be sent there.
Writing Tips
- Be concise: Newspapers charge by length. Focus on what matters most.
- Match their personality: A warm, lighthearted person deserves a warm, lighthearted tribute.
- Proofread carefully: Double-check all names, dates, and addresses. Have someone else review it.
- Start with a template: Our free Word templates—or our Obituary Maker—give you a helpful structure so you're not starting from a blank page.
If you want to see how different tones, layouts, and personal details work together, browse our obituary examples and inspiration before choosing your final wording.