Obituary Program Format

Include any accomplishments, hobbies, and awards in this paragraph. (This paragraph is completely optional and might not be included if there is limited space available in the newspaper.)

A viewing will be held at name of funeral home. The funeral will be held at name of the funeral home or church. Include any additional information about arrangements in this paragraph.

Sample Obituary

AnnMarie (Annie) Watson, 67, of St. Louis passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2013.

She was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on May 20, 1946, to the late Patricia and Robert Fuller. Annie graduated from Mount Union High School and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University in 1967. She married the late John Watson the following year, on July 16, 1968.

Annie was a beloved member of the community and could frequently be found leading programs for children at the local library. An advocate for children’s literacy, she helped found the St. Louis Early Literacy Foundation in 1997.

Annie is survived by three children; Jennifer Collins, of St. Louis; Kate Watson, of St. Charles, MO; and Daniel Watson, of Portland, OR. She is also survived by four grandchildren.

The following headings are meant as a general guide. Make sure that you have considered everything that is usually covered, then select what you would like to include, and also decide what order you would like to use.

NAME / ANNOUNCEMENT

Full name of the deceased, including nickname, if any

Age at death

Residence (for example, the name of the city) at death

Day and date of death (remember to include the year)

Place of death

Cause of death

LIFE

Date of birth

Place of birth

Names of parents

Childhood: siblings, stories, schools, friends

Marriage(s): date of, place, name of spouse

Education: school, college, university and other

Designations, awards, and other recognition

Employment: jobs, activities, stories, colleagues, satisfactions, promotions, union activities, frustrations,

Places of residence

Hobbies, sports, interests, activities, and other enjoyment

Charitable, religious, fraternal, political, and other affiliations; positions held

Achievements

Disappointments

Unusual attributes, humour, other stories

FAMILY

Survived by (and place of residence):

Spouse

Children (in order of date of birth, and their spouses)

Grandchildren

Great-grandchildren

Great-great-grandchildren

Parents

Grandparents

Siblings (in order of date of birth)

Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws

Friends

Pets (if appropriate)

Predeceased by (and date of death):

Spouse

Children (in order of date of birth)

Grandchildren

Siblings (in order of date of birth)

Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws

Pets (if appropriate)

SERVICE

Day, date, time, place

Name of officiant, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, other information

Visitation information if applicable: day, date, time, place

Reception information if applicable: day, date, time, place

Other memorial, vigil, or graveside services if applicable: day, date, time, place

Place of interment

Name of funeral home in charge of arrangements

Where to call for more information (even if no service planned)

END

Memorial funds established

Memorial donation suggestions, including addresses

Thank you to people, groups, or institutions

Quotation or poem

Three words that sum up the life.