Obituary Samples for an Unexpected Death: 5 Examples

What to Include in an Obituary for an Unexpected Death 

Publishing an obituary is a traditional part of how we address the death of someone close to us. Obituaries exist to announce someone’s passing, provide a biographical sketch of their life, and share any public information about upcoming funerals or other memorial services. Obituaries can come in many formats, but most follow a basic formula, and there are many obituary templates that can serve as a guide. 

However, an obituary for someone who died unexpectedly may take a little more care than others. When composing an obituary for a sudden death, it is essential to strike a balance between honesty and being respectful regarding the person’s death.  

That said, what you should and should not include in an obituary for a sudden death is not that different from any other obituary, with the primary difference being the need for added sensitivity depending on the nature of the departed’s death. Such an obit will typically include: 

• Biographical summary: Highlight key life achievements, personal attributes, and connections to the community. This includes birth and death dates, notable accomplishments, hobbies, and passions. 

• Family members: List surviving and predeceased family members, acknowledging the network of relationships affected by the loss. 

• Funeral arrangements: Include details about the funeral service, visitation hours, and any memorial ceremonies. (If arrangements are private, you might state, "Services will be private at the request of the family.") 

• Memorial instructions: If the family prefers donations rather than flowers, or if there's a charity close to the deceased's heart, make this clear. For example, "In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Clean Ocean Action." 

Because someone’s cause of death can be sensitive in nature — this is especially true in instances involving addiction or suicide — there are some things you may wish to avoid, in the interest of sensitivity and helping others cope with a sudden death. They include: 

• Cause of death: It is not necessary to include the cause of death, particularly in cases of sudden loss. There are valid reasons to exclude this information, depending on the situation. If it is mentioned, ensure it is done respectfully and with the family's full consent. 

• Negative details: You may choose to avoid information that portrays the deceased or their lifestyle negatively, even if it contributed to their cause of death. An obituary is not the place for finger-pointing or blame; it should focus on celebrating life and legacy, or, at minimum, impart the needed information to survivors re: memorial services. 

• Explicit content: Even if you choose to mention the cause of death, avoid including explicit or gruesome details. Such material will likely be seen as salacious and disrespectful. Now that you know what to include and exclude, it’s time to actually get writing. Here’s how to approach the task. 

  
  

How to Write an Obituary for an Unexpected Death 

First and foremost, gather your thoughts and ensure you have all the essential information on hand. Writing during a time of grief is a recipe for making mistakes, so it’s a good idea to have notes before you begin. 

Once you’re set, the key to writing an unforgettable obituary begins with ensuring your focus is on capturing the essence of the person it commemorates. A memorable obituary tells a story and offers a glimpse into the individual's life, character, and impact on others. 

But fear not: You need not be a writer to accomplish this. A good obituary begins and ends with nothing more than being true to the facts of the departed’s life and experiences. 

Start with a simple summary of who this person was. “Martha Grace of Sullen Falls, a teacher at Oakdale High School …” and other key details will suffice. 

Here, you will also mention their key relationships, specifically their spouse and/or children, if any, and any others you feel should get a prominent mention. 

Next, aim to add personal details that flesh out his or her life. Share anecdotes or quotes that reflect their personality and spirit, discuss their hobbies and interests, or provide highlights of their life and career accomplishments. This personal touch can provide comfort to the bereaved and emphasizes what made the deceased so special. 

It’s okay to sum up their special qualities in just a few sentences, focusing on their accomplishments, loves, and the things that set them apart. It’s equally okay to write a long piece celebrating the ups and downs of their life; a short biography, essentially, that tells their life story. In many ways, the latter is a good approach when penning an obit for someone who died unexpectedly, as mourners will want to take stock of the life they just lost. 

Next, add a call to action of some kind. This may encourage people to honor the deceased in a manner fitting their spirit, such as through acts of kindness or contributions to causes they were passionate about. It could also simply ask people to take a moment to remember them. 

You may also include a final sentiment that expresses love from those left behind.  

Finally, provide details about any funeral or memorial services. This will include date, time, and location, as well as instructions for donating flowers and/or to a charity. 

Overall, the most important thing to remember when writing an obituary is to be respectful and mindful of the person's life and legacy. Through thoughtful words and sentiments, you can honor their memory and provide comfort to those who are grieving. 

5 Sample Obituaries for an Unexpected Death 

The above overview should give you a sense for how to write an obituary under trying circumstances. To help you further, we have gathered some samples below that you might use as inspiration if you need to write one. 

First, here is a blank template you can use. This is a simple, short obituary announcement that focuses on communicating the most basic facts. Just copy and paste it into your own Word or Google document, then fill in the blanks. We’ll follow that with some samples of how you might describe or summarize someone if you are tasked with writing one, samples we hope will serve as an inspiration if you are in such an unfortunate situation 

A simple obituary template: 

Full Name (Year Born-Year Died) 

[Deceased’s Full Name], [age], of [city, state], died [where/of what] on [date]. 

[He/She/They] [was/were] born in [city] in [year of birth] to [parents’ names], and [insert a childhood detail here]. [First Name] attended [school(s)] before [“studying (major) at (university name),” “going to work at (workplace name),” “joining (military branch),” etc.]. 

[First Name] was preceded in death by [name(s)/family members], and is survived by [name(s)/family members]. 

[1st service name/type] is [date of service #1] at [location of service #1], and the [2nd service name/type] is [date of service #2] at [location of service #2]. Donations to [charity name] would be greatly appreciated. 

Obituary Sample #1 

This obituary for a young man is a heartwarming example of how to give readers the sense for who he was as a person. This excerpt is a moving example of how to get someone’s spirit across: 

Clayton's laughter was large, silly, and sweet, spreading warmth and drawing laughter from all around him. He relished in the applause for every new accomplishment, no matter how small. Everyone who met him couldn't help but be drawn to his infectious joy or swoon over his big bright hazel eyes, thick locks and eyelashes. Read the full obituary here. 

Obituary Sample #2 

Sue passed away suddenly, leaving her loved ones to figure out how to deal with their grief. One way was to honor her spirit with a heartfelt obituary. This excerpt gives you an idea of the kind of person she was: 

Sue once told her sister that she believed heaven was an extensive library and that anything a soul would ever want to know was in a book available to read in heaven. Her family hopes that Sue (mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, author, publicist, business owner, history buff, collector of t-shirts with silly but funny sayings, quilter, antique collector, etc.) finds it exactly as she hoped. Read the full obituary here. 

Obituary Sample #3 

Chris Simon was an NHL hockey player with the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, and Colorado Avalanche. His death came unexpectedly and tragically, leaving not just his loved ones, but the public at large, reeling. Much of his obituary was spent putting his career in context to help people understand his accomplishments. Though this is an obit for a public figure, you can take the same approach when summing up the accomplishments of someone you know: 

Born and raised in Wawa, Ontario, of Ojibwa descent, Simon grew up playing hockey and started playing for the junior team the Ottawa 67’s in his mid-teens. He made his NHL debut in 1992 with the Quebec Nordiques, playing three seasons for them before a trade to the Colorado Avalanche. In a single season with the Avalanche, Simon helped the team to their first Stanley Cup victory. He spent his longest tenure – seven seasons – with the Washington Capitals, going to the Stanley Cup finals with the team in 1998. Read the full obituary here. 

Obituary Sample #4 

Brian was still in his 30s when he passed away unexpectedly. His loved ones wisely chose not to focus on his death, but instead to celebrate the way his life touched others. Though his obituary was brief, it successfully captured the impact he had on the people around him, as you can see here: 

A lifelong athlete, he went from the Palos Stars to boxing in The Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Ringside Events. He enjoyed being a mentor and coach to the disadvantaged youth at Mercy Home. His loss will leave a large hole in many hearts. His love for family and friends was indisputable and his smile would light up the room. Read the full obituary here. 

Obituary Sample #5 

When Francis passed away, it was due to a sudden medical complication. His loved ones chose to mention this in his obituary, and overall took a direct and informational approach to the announcement. This approach is ideal when your primary goal is to ensure that friends and family get the information they need. Here is how they handled some of the relevant details: 

A celebration of Frank's life, including his 40+ year career as professional stage hand working at the Metropolitan Opera, The American Ballet Theater, and the Hudson Scenic Studios, will be held in New York City at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Frank's name to the American Heart Association. Read the full obituary here. 

Writing an obituary for someone who died unexpectedly can be a delicate process, balancing the shock of sudden loss with the need to honor and remember a life fully lived — but by focusing on the individual's legacy, avoiding sensitive specifics, and inviting the community to share in mourning and remembrance, the obituary can serve as a healing document that celebrates life even in the face of unforeseen tragedy.