Menü

Free Word Templates for Tasteful Obituaries

Create a personalized and tasteful obituary using our free Word templates as a starting point. Simply download the files and customize them from the comfort of your home to fit your needs.

Free Funeral Obituary Templates

Our professional Microsoft Word templates will allow you to create a dignified obituary to honor the memory of your loved one. Each template is:

  • 100% free and ready to download
  • Compatible with all current versions of Microsoft Word
  • Easy to customize with your own text and images
  • Professionally designed with appropriate fonts

Our Available Templates

An obituary or death notice is traditionally used to inform friends and relatives of the death of a person and to announce relevant dates such as the funeral and memorial service.

Instructions: Create and Publish Your Obituary / Funeral Notice

  1. Download the template: Download your chosen template to your computer.
  2. Customize the template in Word: Open the downloaded template in Microsoft Word and add the name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, as well as other personal information and an image or photo.
  3. Save the notice as PDF: Once you have adjusted the notice, click "File" > "Save As". In the "File Format" dropdown menu, select "PDF".
  4. Send to the newspaper: Send the PDF file as an email attachment to the newspaper's advertising department.

No Time & Patience for Word?

Don't want to deal with formatting in Word during this challenging time? We offer you an intuitive obituary designer with which you can quickly and easily create a dignified Obituary or Funeral Notice. Choose from many beautiful images and helpful text examples. Send the obituary link to relatives and friends - worldwide and quickly.

Writing a Meaningful Obituary: Guidance

Writing an obituary during grief is tough. This guide helps you create a tribute honoring your loved one and informing others, covering common elements used in the US.

Essential Information

Most obituaries include:

  • Full name: Include middle name/initial, maiden name if applicable.
  • Dates of birth and death: Month, day, 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, unique traits (e.g., "known for his quick wit," "loved gardening," "avid sports fan").
  • Focus: What made them special? Keep it concise but warm.

Family Members (Survivors & Predeceased)

List close family using phrases like "Survived by..." and "Preceded in death by...":

  • Survivors: Typically spouse/partner, children (& spouses), grandchildren, parents, siblings. Other close relatives or friends can be included.
  • Predeceased: Mention close family who passed away before them (parents, spouse, etc.). Optional but common.

Service Information

Provide clear details for any services:

  • Type: Funeral, memorial service, celebration of life, visitation, etc.
  • Date and Time: Day, date, and time.
  • Location: Venue name and full address (street, city, state).
  • Officiant: Name of person leading service (optional).
  • Other Details: Burial/interment or reception info if applicable.

Flowers and Donations

Indicate the family's preferences:

  • In Lieu of Flowers: If preferring donations, state clearly and name the charity. Example: "In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [Charity Name]." Providing a website/address helps.
  • Flowers Welcome: Usually implied if not stated otherwise. If desired at a specific location (e.g., funeral home), provide the address.

Final Writing Tips

  1. Be Concise: Especially for newspapers (cost/space). Focus on key info.
  2. Set the Tone: Be respectful, loving, and reflect their personality.
  3. Proofread Carefully: Check all names, dates, and locations. Ask someone else to review it.
  4. Use a Template: Our free Word templates provide structure to simplify the process.