How long should an obituary be?

There's no set length. A short newspaper announcement can be 50 to 100 words. A full online obituary typically runs 300 to 500 words. There's no maximum for online obituaries — write as much as you need to tell the person's story. Focus on quality over length.

Who usually writes the obituary?

Usually the surviving spouse or an adult child. Some families collaborate, with different people contributing memories or details. Many funeral homes will help you write or edit the obituary as part of their services — ask your funeral director.

Do I have to include the cause of death?

No. Including the cause of death is entirely optional. Many families choose phrases like 'after a long illness,' 'unexpectedly,' or 'peacefully at home' without naming the specific condition. Others include the cause to raise awareness. There's no right or wrong answer.

Can I write an obituary myself or do I need the funeral home?

You can absolutely write it yourself. Many families prefer to, because they know the person best. The funeral home can help with editing, formatting, and submitting it to newspapers. The templates above will help you get started.

When should the obituary be published?

Ideally before the funeral or memorial service, so people know the service details. Most obituaries are published 1 to 3 days before the service. If the service has already taken place, you can still publish — there's no deadline.

How many copies of the newspaper should I buy?

Buy 5 to 10 copies if the obituary appears in print. Family members often want keepsakes, and you may want copies for scrapbooks or records.

How to Write an Obituary: Free Templates, Examples & a Step-by-Step Guide

What to Include in an Obituary

Every obituary is different, but most follow the same basic structure. Here are the essential elements:

Full legal name — including middle name, maiden name (if applicable), and any nicknames in quotes. Example: Margaret "Peggy" Ann (Sullivan) Thompson

Age at the time of death

City and state of residence — where they were living, not necessarily where they were born

Date of death — and optionally, the circumstances: "peacefully at home," "surrounded by family," "after a courageous battle with cancer." You're not required to include the cause of death.

Date and place of birth — and parents' names

Marriage and family — spouse's name (including maiden name), date and place of marriage. If widowed, note when the spouse passed.

Education — high school, college, degrees earned

Military service — branch, years of service, any honors or commendations

Career — major employers, job titles, years of service, retirement date. Focus on what they were proud of.

What made them who they were — hobbies, passions, personality traits, favorite sayings, the things people will remember them for. This is the heart of the obituary.

Survivors — "Survived by..." lists the living relatives: spouse, children (and their spouses), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings. List them in a logical order.

Preceded in death by — relatives who passed before them: parents, spouse, siblings, children.

Service details — date, time, and location of visitation, funeral, and burial or cremation. If services are private, say so.

Memorial donations — if the family prefers donations to a charity instead of flowers, state which organization and how to contribute.

Not every obituary needs all 14 elements. A short newspaper announcement might only include items 1 through 6 and 13. A full online obituary can include everything.

Step-by-Step — How to Write It

Step 1 — Gather the information

Before you start writing, collect:

Full name, date of birth, date of death
Names of all immediate family members (check spellings carefully)
Education and career history
Military service details
Key life events and accomplishments
A list of hobbies, interests, and personality traits
Service details (date, time, location)
A recent, well-lit photo

Ask siblings, children, or close friends to share their favorite memories or stories. You'll be surprised what details you learn.

Step 2 — Write the opening

The opening announces the death. Keep it clear and direct:

"Margaret 'Peggy' Ann (Sullivan) Thompson, 78, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, at CAMC General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family."

You can vary the tone — "passed away," "went home to be with the Lord," "died," or even "left this world on her own terms." Choose what fits the person.

Step 3 — Write the life story

This is the biographical section. Start with birth and move chronologically:

"Peggy was born on June 3, 1947, in Huntington, West Virginia, the daughter of the late James and Dorothy (Miller) Sullivan. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1965 and earned her nursing degree from Marshall University in 1969.

She married Robert 'Bob' Thompson on September 12, 1970, at First Baptist Church in Huntington. Together they raised three children and shared 53 years of marriage before Bob's passing in 2023."

Step 4 — Add personality

This is where most obituaries fall flat — they list facts but forget the person. Add the details that made them unique:

"Peggy was known for her infectious laugh, her legendary potato salad, and her refusal to let anyone leave her house hungry. She was an avid gardener who spent her mornings tending to her roses and her afternoons spoiling her grandchildren. She never missed a Mountaineers football game and could often be heard reminding everyone within earshot that 'it's always a good day in West Virginia.'"

This paragraph is what people will actually read. It's what makes them smile through tears. Don't skip it.

Step 5 — List family members

Be careful with this section — a forgotten name can cause lasting hurt.

"Peggy is survived by her children, James Thompson (wife, Karen) of Charleston, Lisa Reynolds (husband, David) of Morgantown, and Michael Thompson of Parkersburg; her seven grandchildren, Emily, Jacob, Sarah, Daniel, Olivia, Noah, and Sophie; her sister, Barbara Jenkins of Huntington; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert 'Bob' Thompson; and her brother, William Sullivan."

Step 6 — Add service details and memorial info

"Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Snodgrass Funeral Home, 1119 Virginia Street East, Charleston. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 19, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, with Pastor Mark Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society or the Kanawha Valley Humane Association."

Free Obituary Template — Copy & Paste

Copy this template and fill in the brackets with your information:

FREE TEMPLATE — COPY & PASTE[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY], West Virginia, passed away [PEACEFULLY/SUDDENLY/AFTER A LONG ILLNESS] on [DATE OF DEATH], at [LOCATION].

[FIRST NAME] was born on [DATE OF BIRTH] in [BIRTHPLACE], the [SON/DAUGHTER] of [PARENTS' NAMES].

[Include education, military service, career details here.]

[He/She] married [SPOUSE NAME] on [DATE] at [LOCATION]. Together they [DETAILS ABOUT THEIR LIFE TOGETHER].

[FIRST NAME] was known for [PERSONALITY TRAITS, HOBBIES, PASSIONS, MEMORABLE QUALITIES].

[He/She] is survived by [LIST SURVIVORS: spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings].

[He/She] was preceded in death by [LIST THOSE WHO PASSED BEFORE THEM].

[VISITATION/VIEWING] will be held on [DATE] from [TIME] to [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [FUNERAL/MEMORIAL] services will be [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION], with [OFFICIANT] officiating. [BURIAL/INTERMENT/CREMATION] will follow at [LOCATION].

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [CHARITY NAME AND ADDRESS OR WEBSITE].

Online condolences may be shared at [FUNERAL HOME WEBSITE].

Short Obituary Template (Under 100 Words)

For newspaper print editions with limited space (usually under 100 words):

FREE TEMPLATE — COPY & PASTE[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY], WV, passed away on [DATE]. [He/She] was born [DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS]. [He/She] is survived by [SPOUSE], [CHILDREN], and [GRANDCHILDREN]. Services will be [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. Arrangements by [FUNERAL HOME NAME].

Full-Length Obituary Template (For Online Publication)

For online publication or funeral home websites (no word limit):

FREE TEMPLATE — COPY & PASTE[FULL NAME (MAIDEN NAME)], [AGE], of [CITY], West Virginia, [PASSED AWAY/WENT HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD/DIED] on [DATE], at [LOCATION OF DEATH].

Born [DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE], [FIRST NAME] was the [SON/DAUGHTER] of the late [PARENTS' NAMES]. [He/She] graduated from [HIGH SCHOOL] in [YEAR] and went on to [COLLEGE/TRADE SCHOOL/MILITARY SERVICE], earning [DEGREE/RANK/CERTIFICATION].

[FIRST NAME] married [SPOUSE FULL NAME] on [DATE] at [LOCATION]. They shared [NUMBER] years of marriage and raised [NUMBER] children.

[He/She] worked as a [JOB TITLE] at [EMPLOYER] for [NUMBER] years, retiring in [YEAR]. [Include any notable achievements, awards, or recognitions.]

[He/She] was a devoted member of [CHURCH/ORGANIZATION]. [Include volunteer work, community involvement, or causes they cared about.]

[FIRST NAME] will be remembered for [PERSONALITY TRAITS AND WHAT MADE THEM SPECIAL]. [Include favorite hobbies, habits, sayings, or stories that capture who they were.]

[He/She] is survived by [DETAILED LIST OF SURVIVORS].

[He/She] was preceded in death by [LIST].

The family will receive friends on [DATE] from [TIME] to [TIME] at [FUNERAL HOME NAME AND ADDRESS]. A [FUNERAL/MEMORIAL/CELEBRATION OF LIFE] service will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION], with [OFFICIANT] officiating. [BURIAL/CREMATION] will follow at [CEMETERY NAME].

[PALLBEARERS: LIST NAMES IF APPLICABLE.]

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to [CHARITY NAME, ADDRESS, AND/OR WEBSITE].

The family would like to extend special thanks to [HOSPICE, MEDICAL STAFF, CAREGIVERS, ETC.].

Online condolences and memories may be shared at [FUNERAL HOME WEBSITE].

Obituary Example — Full Written Sample

Here's a complete example showing how the template comes together:

Example — for illustration purposes only

Margaret "Peggy" Ann (Sullivan) Thompson, 78, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, at CAMC General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Peggy was born on June 3, 1947, in Huntington, West Virginia, the daughter of the late James and Dorothy (Miller) Sullivan. She graduated from Huntington High School in 1965 and earned her nursing degree from Marshall University in 1969. She worked as a registered nurse at Cabell Huntington Hospital for 15 years before moving to Charleston, where she served as head nurse at Thomas Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 2009.

She married Robert "Bob" Thompson on September 12, 1970, at First Baptist Church in Huntington. Together they shared 53 years of marriage before Bob's passing in 2023.

Peggy was known for her infectious laugh, her legendary potato salad, and her refusal to let anyone leave her house hungry. She was an avid gardener who spent her mornings tending to her roses and her afternoons spoiling her grandchildren. A lifelong Mountaineers fan, she could often be heard reminding everyone that "it's always a good day in West Virginia."

Peggy is survived by her children, James Thompson (wife, Karen) of Charleston, Lisa Reynolds (husband, David) of Morgantown, and Michael Thompson of Parkersburg; her seven grandchildren; her sister, Barbara Jenkins of Huntington; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert "Bob" Thompson; and her brother, William Sullivan.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Snodgrass Funeral Home, 1119 Virginia Street East, Charleston. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 19, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, with Pastor Mark Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society or the Kanawha Valley Humane Association.

Where to Publish an Obituary in West Virginia

Most families publish obituaries in at least two places:

Funeral home website

Your funeral home will typically publish the obituary on their website for free. This is often the first place people look. Most funeral home sites allow online condolences and photo sharing.

Newspapers

For WV families, the major newspapers that publish obituaries include:

Newspaper	Coverage Area	Website
Charleston Gazette-Mail	Charleston, Kanawha Valley	wvgazettemail.com
The Herald-Dispatch	Huntington, Cabell County	herald-dispatch.com
The Dominion Post	Morgantown, Monongalia County	dominionpost.com
Parkersburg News & Sentinel	Parkersburg, Mid-Ohio Valley	newsandsentinel.com
Wheeling News-Register	Wheeling, Ohio Valley	theintelligencer.net
The Register-Herald	Beckley, Southern WV	register-herald.com
Martinsburg Journal	Martinsburg, Eastern Panhandle	journal-news.net
Exponent Telegram	Clarksburg, North-Central WV	exponent-telegram.com

Most newspapers charge per line or per word for print obituaries. Contact the paper's obituary department directly for current rates.

Online obituary platforms

Legacy.com — the largest online obituary platform, partners with many WV newspapers
Funeral home websites — most offer free online obituary publishing
Social media — many families also post on Facebook or create a memorial page

How Much Does an Obituary Cost?

Obituary costs vary widely depending on where and how you publish:

Publication Type	Estimated Cost
Funeral home website	Free (usually included in services)
Online-only newspaper listing	$50 – $200
Print newspaper (short, text-only)	$100 – $300
Print newspaper (with photo)	$200 – $500
Print newspaper (full-length with photo)	$300 – $1,000+
Legacy.com or similar platform	Free basic / $10–$50 for enhanced features
Social media	Free

Newspaper print obituaries are priced by the line or word, and adding a photo typically costs extra. Longer obituaries with detailed life stories can cost several hundred dollars in print. If budget is a concern, consider publishing a short announcement in print and a full-length obituary online for free through the funeral home website.

Planning Ahead?

If you're pre-planning your obituary and funeral, consider final expense insurance to make sure the costs are covered. Plans start at $30/month with no medical exam.

📞 Get a Free Quote: 1-855-321-3094

Free quote · No obligation · Licensed agents

Learn more about final expense insurance →

Tips for Writing a Memorable Obituary

Don't start with "was born." The opening should be about their death — when and where they passed. Save the birth details for the second paragraph.

Include at least one specific story or detail. "She loved to cook" is forgettable. "She was famous for her potato salad and once made 12 pans for the church picnic" is memorable.

Read it out loud. If it sounds stiff or formal, rewrite it in a more natural voice. The best obituaries sound like someone talking about a person they loved.

Don't be afraid of humor. If the person was funny, let that come through. Some of the most shared and beloved obituaries are the ones that make people laugh.

Get the names right. Triple-check the spelling of every family member's name. A misspelling in an obituary can cause lasting hurt.

Include a good photo. Choose a recent, well-lit photo where the person looks happy and recognizable. A photo from 30 years ago may not help people identify who has passed.

Have someone else proofread it. When you're grieving, it's easy to miss errors. Ask a friend or the funeral director to review it before publication.

Don't rush. Most newspapers allow you to submit obituaries electronically and can publish within 24 to 48 hours. You have a day or two to get it right.