Short Obituary Examples and How to Submit One to a Newspaper

Not every obituary needs to be long. Newspapers often charge by length, funeral programs have limited space, and sometimes the family simply prefers a brief, dignified announcement. A short obituary – typically somewhere between about 50 and 200 words – can still be warm and personal if every word is chosen carefully.

This article gives you short obituary and death notice examples for many different situations, a fill-in-the-blanks template, and a practical explanation of how newspaper submissions generally work: who submits, what they need, how pricing tends to be calculated, and what to check before you pay. For a longer, fuller obituary, see our guide on how to write an obituary for a parent.

Death notice or obituary?

The two terms are often used interchangeably, but newspapers sometimes treat them differently:

• A death notice is a brief, factual announcement – name, age, date of death, survivors, service details. It is usually a paid listing.
• An obituary is a longer piece about the person's life. Some newspapers publish staff-written news obituaries for notable local people at no charge; most family-written obituaries are paid.

For families, the practical difference is length and cost. A short obituary sits between the two: brief enough to be affordable, personal enough to say something about the life.

What every short obituary needs

Even the shortest version should include:

1. Full name (and nickname if widely used)
2. Age and town of residence
3. Date of death
4. A line or two about the person
5. Closest survivors
6. Service details, or "services will be private," or "a celebration of life will be held at a later date"

Optional extras, if space allows: birth date and place, a favourite pastime, donation preference, a thank-you.

A fill-in-the-blanks template

[Full name], [age], of [town], passed away [peacefully / unexpectedly / after a brief illness] on [date]. [He/She/They] [one sentence about career, passions or character]. [He/She/They] is survived by [spouse]; [children]; [grandchildren]; and [siblings]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [names]. A [funeral / memorial / celebration of life] will be held on [date] at [time] at [place]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [charity].

Short obituary examples

For a mother

Linda Marie Johnson, 75, of Madison, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2026. A retired schoolteacher, Linda taught second grade at Lincoln Elementary for thirty-two years and never forgot a student's name. She is survived by her husband of fifty years, Gary; her children, Kevin and Laura; and four grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 21, at 2 p.m. at Riverside Pavilion.

For a father

Thomas Edward Reyes, 81, of San Antonio, died November 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. Tom served in the U.S. Navy and worked for thirty years as an electrician. He loved fishing, dominoes and his grandchildren, in roughly that order of noise. He is survived by his wife, Elena; three children; and eight grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church.

For a grandmother

Ruth Ann Fischer, 94, of Lancaster, went to be with the Lord on November 4, 2026. Ruth was a farm wife, a church organist for sixty years, and the maker of the best pie in Lancaster County. She is survived by five children, fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church.

For a grandfather

Harold "Hal" Bennett, 89, of Portland, passed away on October 27, 2026. Hal was a carpenter, a storyteller, and a devoted grandfather who built a treehouse for every grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret. He is survived by his three children and nine grandchildren. A private family service will be held.

For a husband

Michael James Torres, 58, of Phoenix, died unexpectedly on November 1, 2026. Mike was a loving husband, a proud father, and the loudest fan at every Little League game. He is survived by his wife, Ana; their children, Sofia and Mateo; his mother, Rosa; and his brothers, David and Luis. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Desert Hills Church.

For a wife

Patricia Ann Moore, 67, of Raleigh, passed away November 5, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Pat was a nurse, a gardener and the heart of her family. She is survived by her husband of forty-four years, Dennis; her daughters, Kelly and Amy; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

For a veteran

Sergeant First Class (Ret.) James Walter Hill, 76, of Fayetteville, passed away November 3, 2026. James served twenty-two years in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam. After retiring, he volunteered at the VA hospital every week. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, and their two sons. Burial with military honors will take place at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

See our military and veteran funeral program guide for ranks, honors and wording.

For a young adult

Ethan Michael Brooks, 24, of Columbus, died on October 29, 2026. Ethan was a musician, a hiker and a loyal friend who could make anyone laugh. He was a graduate of Ohio State University and worked as a sound engineer. He is survived by his parents, Mark and Jennifer; his sister, Chloe; and his grandparents. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Columbus Music Hall.

For someone with no close family

Dorothy Mae Parker, 88, of Springfield, passed away on November 2, 2026. Dorothy worked for many years at the Springfield Public Library and was a familiar face to generations of readers. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and a friend to many. A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery. All who knew her are welcome.

For a friend, written by friends

Carol Lynn Ward, 71, of Asheville, passed away on October 31, 2026. A painter, a hiker and a generous host, Carol filled her home with art and her table with friends. She is survived by her cousins and by the many friends who were her chosen family. A gathering in her memory will be held at the Blue Ridge Arts Center on November 15 at 4 p.m.

For a brother

David Allen Price, 63, of Richmond, died on November 2, 2026, after a brief illness. David was a long-haul trucker who had seen every state but Hawaii, and a brother who called every Sunday without fail. He is survived by his sisters, Karen and Beth; his nieces and nephews; and his dog, Rusty. A graveside service will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Hollywood Cemetery.

For a sister

Anne Louise Fischer, 70, of Milwaukee, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2026. Anne was a librarian, a quilter and the keeper of every family recipe. She is survived by her brothers, Paul and Martin; her sister-in-law, Joan; and many nieces and nephews who will miss her Christmas cookies. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church on Saturday at 10 a.m.

For a child

Lily Grace Morgan, 7, of Tulsa, passed away on November 1, 2026, in the arms of her parents. Lily loved horses, glitter and her big brother, Noah, and she was braver than any of us. She is survived by her parents, Jason and Megan; her brother, Noah; and her grandparents. A celebration of Lily's life will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Riverside Chapel. Guests are invited to wear purple, her favorite color.

When writing for a child or baby, families often keep the obituary brief and focus on who the child was and the love around them. There is no need to say more than you are comfortable sharing.

After a long illness

Joseph Patrick Byrne, 72, of Scranton, died on November 4, 2026, after a long illness faced with courage and humor. A retired machinist and a lifelong Phillies fan, Joe never lost his faith in his family or his team. He is survived by his wife, Mary; their four children; and eleven grandchildren. The family thanks the nurses of Hospice Care of Scranton.

Faith-centered

Deacon Robert Lee Williams, 82, of Atlanta, entered eternal rest on November 6, 2026. A faithful servant of Greater Hope Baptist Church for fifty years, he taught Sunday school and sang in the Male Chorus. He is survived by his wife, Mother Evelyn Williams; four children; and a host of grandchildren, relatives and friends. Home-going services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Greater Hope Baptist Church.

Light-hearted

Frank Delaney, 78, of Boston, has left the building as of November 1, 2026. Frank was a mail carrier for thirty-five years, a self-proclaimed barbecue champion, and a man who never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, who put up with him for fifty-two years; three children; and seven grandchildren who inherited his laugh. Raise a glass at the celebration, Saturday at The Shamrock, 4 p.m.

With services later

Grace Ellen Murphy, 66, of Duluth, passed away peacefully at home on November 4, 2026. A beloved teacher and gardener, Grace touched many lives. She is survived by her husband, Paul, and her children, Erin and Sean. A celebration of life will be held in the spring.

Very brief death notice

SMITH, John Arthur, 85, of Bristol, died November 3, 2026. Beloved husband of Mary, father of Peter and Anne, grandfather of four. Funeral Friday 13 November, 11am, St Mary's Church. Family flowers only; donations to St Peter's Hospice.

This format – surname first in capitals – is common in UK and Irish newspapers and on many online notice sites.

Choosing the right verb

Families sometimes pause over the very first sentence: should it say "died," "passed away" or something else? All are acceptable, and the choice is about tone:

• "Died" is plain, direct and increasingly common. Newspapers' own news obituaries usually use it.
• "Passed away" and "passed" are softer and the most widely used in family-written notices.
• "Went home to be with the Lord," "entered eternal rest," "was called home" reflect Christian faith and are traditional in many churches.
• "Peacefully," "unexpectedly," "suddenly," "surrounded by family" add context without stating the cause of death.
• Light-hearted phrasings – "has left the building," "has gone fishing" – suit someone with that sense of humour, if the family agrees.

Choose the words your family would actually use when talking about it. Consistency matters more than any particular phrase: if the program, the newspaper notice and the funeral home page all use the same opening, the family's voice comes through clearly.

Mentioning a cause of death briefly

If the family wants to mention a cause, a short phrase is enough: "after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer," "following complications from a stroke," "after living with Alzheimer's disease for many years." Families sometimes choose to name the illness so that a donation request makes sense, or to raise awareness. When a death was by suicide or overdose, some families choose openness to reduce stigma, and others choose privacy; both are valid, and "unexpectedly" or "suddenly" are entirely acceptable alternatives.

How newspaper submissions usually work

Every newspaper has its own process, but the general pattern is similar.

Who submits

In many places, the funeral home submits the obituary on the family's behalf, which is often the simplest route; the cost is added to the funeral account. Families can usually also submit directly through the newspaper's website or classified department.

Many newspapers require verification of the death before publishing – often a phone call to, or confirmation from, the funeral home. This protects against hoaxes, but it can add time, so start early.

Deadlines

Newspapers set deadlines for each edition, often a day or more before publication. Weekend editions often have earlier cutoffs. If the service is soon, check the deadline right away so the notice appears before the service rather than after.

How pricing is calculated

Pricing models vary widely. Common approaches include:

• A charge per line or per word
• A charge per column inch
• An extra fee for a photograph
• Different rates for weekday and weekend editions
• An additional fee to include an online guestbook or to keep it online permanently

Because the price can climb quickly for a long obituary, many families publish a short version in the newspaper and the full version on the funeral home website, where length is usually unrestricted. Always ask for a proof and a total price before you approve.

Photographs

Most newspapers accept a photo. Send a clear, well-lit head-and-shoulders photo as a digital file. Small or blurry photos print poorly in newsprint. See choosing and preparing photos for tips.

Online versions

Most newspapers now publish obituaries online, often through a partner site with a guestbook where people can leave condolences. Check how long the online version stays up and whether there is a fee to keep it.

Before you submit: a checklist

• Names, spellings and relationships checked by a second family member
• Dates and ages checked against each other
• Service details confirmed with the funeral home
• No home address or exact birth date if you are concerned about privacy
• Proof received from the newspaper and read carefully
• Total cost confirmed before approval
• Deadline confirmed for the edition you need

Editing a longer obituary down

If you already have a longer obituary and need a short version:

1. Keep the opening sentence (name, age, residence, date of death).
2. Choose the single most characteristic detail about the person.
3. Shorten the survivors list – "five grandchildren" rather than naming each.
4. Keep the service details; drop the detailed thank-you.
5. Move the full version to the funeral home website and the funeral program.

Using the short obituary elsewhere

A short obituary is useful in many places:

• The back page of a funeral program or a 5×7 card
• A memorial or prayer card
• A social media announcement
• An email to colleagues or a congregation
• The funeral home's text-message or email notification

Our funeral announcement template turns a short obituary into a shareable image, and the memorial bundle includes a social media announcement image sized for sharing.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a short obituary?

There is no fixed definition, but many short obituaries are roughly 50 to 200 words.

Is it rude to have a very short obituary?

Not at all. Many people choose a brief notice for cost, privacy or personal preference. A short, accurate notice is entirely respectful.

Can I publish an obituary only online?

Yes. Many families publish only on the funeral home's website or a memorial site, particularly when the person did not live locally or the family prefers privacy.

Do I have to put the cause of death?

No. It is entirely optional.

Get a head start

Our free obituary writer produces a draft obituary from a few answers in four tones – traditional, warm, faith-centered and celebratory. You can trim it to a short version for the newspaper, keep the long version for the program, and download a typeset obituary PDF for $2.99 if you need a printed page.