Guide to Writing an Obituary

An obituary is a published notice of death, typically seen in a newspaper, that includes a short biography of the life of someone who recently died.

In obituaries, Juneteenth memories are held as precious

Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the end of slavery in America, has long been cherished by many families in obituaries on Legacy.com. Today we honor some of the remarkable lives that have been remembered all around the country in tributes citing Juneteenth as a source of precious memories and community togetherness.

No, Miss Manners, Excluding People from an Obit Isn’t Especially Polite

A   answered a reader who wondered whether she should include her beloved godchildren in her obituary, which she was drafting herself in order to make things easier on her family later. 

Five People Whose Obituaries Tell Stories of Making Black History

There are so many people of a certain age who are passing away right now at the end of a long life, having lived through the 20th century, who have made Black history in their local communities.

What’s the Difference Between an Obituary and a Death Notice?

The two terms “obituary” and “death notice” are similar, but by definition, they refer to different things: 

Obituaries Reflect the Story of the Pandemic

Once, most of us grieved at funerals. Now, with the coronavirus pandemic restricting people from attending public events, people are increasingly mourning their losses — and measuring the epidemic’s toll — in the obituary pages.

Love and Mourning: Remembering Mothers We've Lost

Many of us will be missing our moms this Mother’s Day.

13 People Whose Memories Honor the Fight Against Drunk Driving

( Sponsored Content | MADD )

These True-Life Love Stories Are the Real Deal

The stories of how we met our sweethearts are some of our favorites to tell. Whether it’s funny or wacky or poignant, a tale that ends after many decades of marriage or one that was cut short all too soon, almost everyone likes to tell about the seed that was planted the day they met the one they love.

February brings World Cancer Day - and memories

World Cancer Day is February 4. Cancer takes more than half a million lives every year, and it affects millions more.

Why Do Celebrity Obituaries Cause Such Strong Feelings?

For every celebrity death that leaves millions of fans shocked and grieving — , , , — there's always someone who wants to argue against that grief.

Why Newspaper Obituaries Are So Valuable for Genealogy Research

When it comes to researching family history, the obit is a treasure trove of information.

How to Preserve Our Precious Memories Forever

Departed family and friends remain with us in the stories we tell and the memories we share.

Nine People Whose Lives Were Shaped by JFK’s Assassination

For a few people, Kennedy’s assassination was more than a story to tell — it profoundly impacted their lives.

Why Publish an Obituary in the Local News? Here Are 5 Good Reasons

It’s more than just someone’s death notice—it’s also their life story, preserved to make sure the world remembers them.

Funny Obituaries

In a section of the news that usually inspires tears, a few unique souls would rather make us laugh.

How to Find an Obituary for a Specific Person

How to Find an Obituary

'She Wanted to Live': When Obituaries Are Honest About Addiction

We never expect addiction to kill the most familiar among us. There's this dangerous idea that's grabbed hold of the popular consciousness over the years that drug addicts are a whole separate category of people, people who would never include Kim who sat next to me in English class and was a sweet girl who loved "Game of Thrones" and just wanted to make her mom happy.

Stories of D-Day Veterans We Said Goodbye to This Year

Seventy-five years after the D-Day invasion of World War II, families and nations are honoring the service members who fought in one of the war's most famous battles.

The Best Obituaries of 2019

These unforgettable tributes share the amazing lives of everyday people.

Obituary for AJ Freund: "His giggle and laugh will never be forgotten"

The family of AJ Freund, the 5-year-old Illinois boy whose death made headlines in April, published a loving obituary for him in the Northwest Herald this week.

Lives Told Well: The Best Obituaries

The best obituaries find the extraordinary in the lives of ordinary people.

Black History, and All History, Is Really About Regular People

Never mind the celebrities — every real historical moment ultimately comes down to people and their families.

The NYT Is Publishing Great Black Americans' Obituaries After the Fact

The history of the U.S. is full of the accomplishments of great African Americans. But that hasn't always been a fact you'd find reflected in the obituary pages of U.S. newspapers. The obituary page—for instance, that of the New York Times, our country's "newspaper of record"—is where fame, talent, and ingenuity have always been summed up as a notable life comes to a close. That is, if that notable person was white.

R.I.P. to the 'What's Your Story?' Dad

Steve Dishman: a life well-lived + a story well-told = endless inspiration

Two Top Corporate Leaders Died in the First Week of 2019

died Wednesday, January 2. His family name is almost certainly familiar, because he was the co-president of retail giant Nordstrom. One day later, January 3, died. He was the founder of Southwest Airlines, known for his unconventional approach to the business world.

Amazing Adoption Stories Shared in Obituaries

There are many ways to make a family — and many ways to tell the story of a life.

The First Snapchat Obit Photo?

Grandmother remembered with loving obituary and goofy photo straight from Snapchat.

More Obituaries Are Openly Addressing Domestic Violence

Families hope their loved ones' stories will help others escape.

Why Did This Obituary Get Us Talking about Opioid Addiction?

How a well-written obituary and a police chief's criticism have sparked a national conversation about opioid addiction.

This Man's Obituary Raises a Lot of Surprising Questions

How should those who knew Rick Stein remember him?

This Man’s Obituary Respects His Wife As Much As He Did

We're cheering Toledo man Freeman Hudson after reading his extraordinary obituary.

What to Do When a Veteran Dies

When you’re grieving a loss, just the idea of paperwork may feel overwhelming. But when your partner was a member of the armed services, you know that needing signatures and signoffs is part of the process. To help you navigate this difficult time as smoothly as possible, here’s a checklist of what you have to do when a veteran passes away.

The New York Times Is Retroactively Publishing Great Women's Obituaries

The "Overlooked" series seeks to begin correcting historical biases in reporting notable lives and deaths.

Puerto Rican Pride: Celebrating Heritage in the Obits

An obituary is a timeline, a record of where a person has been, what they've done, and who they are related to. It can be a simple list or a highlight reel of sorts, featuring the greatest jokes, sayings, and memories from a loved one's life. The most memorable obituaries paint brilliantly-colored portraits of life – and not just that one person's life, either. Because obituaries, at their heart, are about communities. An obituary tells someone's life story in a particular way: through their connections to family, friends, church, school, military unit, and hometown.

Year's Best Obituary Writing: The 2017 Grimmy Awards

Obit writers from around the globe gathered at Legacy this October.

Fourth of July Memories

The Fourth means so much to many Americans that it ends up in their obituaries.

Best Dad Ever

It’s a simple phrase, three short words, yet it carries incredible, almost unthinkable power. Consider how formidable each of those words is on its own. “Best”—that means none is better, not a single one. “Dad”—well, every person has a father who helped give them life. “Ever”—that’s a time frame that stretches all the way back through eternity.

The Man Who Threw His Own Funeral

First, he published a "nobituary" while he was still around to see it.

Great American Smokeout

On Nov. 16, 1977, the American Cancer Society held the first Great American Smokeout, a fun event with a deadly serious message: You need to stop smoking now.

Almost Got To See the Cubs Win World Series

A few lifelong Cubs fans came tantalizingly close to seeing their team win the World Series.

The Story Behind the Year's Funniest Obituary

When the recently went viral, we wanted to learn more about the story behind the words. We talked to Ziegler's family members and found out how they worked together to create the perfect tribute to their father.

Kevin McGroarty Goes Out on a Laugh

When Kevin McGroarty moved into section 7N at Mount Olivet Cemetery, his obituary asked friends to please make note of his new address.

What's Behind the Surge in Political Obits?

Earlier this month, The Washington Post published an article titled, "Disdain for Trump and Clinton is so strong, even the dead are campaigning." The article opened with the story of Mary Anne Noland, a 68-year-old Richmond native who had recently died – but not before making arrangements for a final, posthumous political statement in her obituary.

The Most Characteristic Euphemism for "Died" in Each State

In collaboration with Mental Floss: a state-by-state breakdown of euphemism trends in obituaries.

In Obituaries, Dr. Seuss Quotes Reflect Life's Magic

Some love Dr. Seuss so much that they've added his quotes to an unexpected place: obituaries.

These Obituaries Offer a Glimpse Into a Concentration Camp

In Holocaust survivors' obituaries, horrific places like Treblinka are mentioned alongside recollections of happy marriages and personal achievements.

Finding the Greatest Love Stories

Beautiful love stories live on in millions of Legacy obituaries.

Getting the Last Word on Politics (in Your Obituary)

Voters cherish the right to voice approval of (or displeasure at) at elected officials' behavior. Sometimes, personal politics even pop up in obituaries. Below are some of the funniest times when people used obituaries as a last chance to make their political views heard.