Writing an obituary is one of the most heartfelt and important ways to honor the life of a loved one, whether you’re planning a simple cremation or a traditional service. A well-written obituary can serve as a tribute, historical record, and public announcement. We’re here to guide you through this emotional process with templates, tips, and guidelines to make the writing process a little easier.
Table of Contents
Tips for Writing an Obituary for Cremation Service
- Purpose of an Obituary: An obituary is a meaningful way to honor a loved one’s life, share their story, and inform others of memorial service details.
- Key Elements for a Cremation Service: When writing an obituary for a cremation service, include the announcement of death, a short biography, names of surviving family, service information, and any tributes or donation requests.
- Writing Style and Format: Keep the obituary concise—typically 200–300 words—use third-person language to maintain a respectful tone, and double-check all details before submitting for publication.
- Use of Templates: Templates make it easier to create new obituaries.
What Is an Obituary?
An obituary is a written notice of someone’s passing that typically appears in newspapers, online memorial pages, or funeral home or cremation provider websites. While writing an obituary is not legally required, it’s a nice way to honor the deceased. Obituaries include biographical details, names of surviving family members, funeral or cremation service information, and personal reflections on the individual’s life.
Key Elements of an Obituary
When writing an obituary for a cremation service, include these key elements.
1. Announcement of the death
Start with the full name, age, city of residence, and date of death. This helps identify the deceased to avoid misunderstandings.
Example:
John Michael Thompson, 72, of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025.
2. Brief biography
Include where they were born, education, career highlights, military service, hobbies, or passions.
Example:
Born in Scranton, John graduated from Temple University and worked as a high school teacher for over 30 years. He was an avid gardener, jazz enthusiast, and lifelong Eagles fan.
3. Family information
List both surviving and predeceased family members.
Example:
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan; his children, Mark (Lisa) and Emily (Carlos); and three grandchildren.
4. Service or memorial details
If you’re arranging a cremation service, state whether it’s private or public, and provide the date, time, and location for any planned memorial.
Example:
A private cremation has been arranged through the Cremation Society of Philadelphia. A memorial gathering will be held on May 15 at Clark Park at 2 p.m.
5. Special thanks or tributes
Acknowledge caregivers or list a cause for donations in lieu of flowers.
Example:
The family thanks the staff at Penn Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Obituary Writing Guidelines
Follow these helpful tips when writing your tribute:
- Keep it concise: 200–300 words is typical for most publications.
- Use third person: Maintain a respectful and formal tone.
- Avoid personal addresses: For privacy and security, do not include street addresses.
- Proofread carefully: Double-check names, dates, and spelling before you submit the obituary for publication.
Obituary Templates
To make the writing process easier during a difficult time, we’ve provided two obituary templates below. Whether you prefer a brief announcement or a more detailed tribute, these examples can help you honor your loved one with clarity, compassion, and dignity while ensuring key details are thoughtfully included.
Basic Cremation Obituary TemplateÂ
[Full name], [age], of [city], passed away on [date]. [He/She/They] is survived by [list of close relatives]. [Optional: Details about any planned memorial service]. [Optional: Note about donations or special thanks].
Expanded Obituary TemplateÂ
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of [Full name], [age], of [city], on [date]. [He/She/They] was born on [birth date] in [birthplace], and was the beloved [relationship, e.g., spouse, parent, friend] of [names of family members].
[First name] will be remembered for [his/her/their] [career highlights, hobbies, personal qualities, or achievements]. [He/She/They] touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed.
[He/She/They] is survived by [names of surviving family]. A cremation has been arranged through the Cremation Society of Philadelphia. A celebration of life will be held at [location] on [date and time], if applicable. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to [charity or cause].
Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a meaningful act of love. Take your time, reflect on your loved one’s legacy, and know that simple, heartfelt words are always enough.
Choosing a Cremation Provider in Philadelphia
Are you looking for a simple cremation provider in Philadelphia? The Cremation Society of Philadelphia serves the city and surrounding area, including Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton, Berks County, Luzerne, Lackawanna, Carbon, Wyoming, and Monroe Counties in Pennsylvania. In addition, we serve Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Salem, Cumberland, and Cape May Counties in New Jersey.
If you’re preparing an obituary for a cremation service, our team can help ensure it’s written with care and accuracy—and that it’s ready to submit to local publications or online memorials for timely posting. Questions? Contact a member of the Cremation Society of Philadelphia team today.
