T.R. Maxwell
Obituary Format: Layout, Outline, and Template Guide for Death Notices
An obituary format provides the structural framework that organizes the facts, relationships, and character of a person’s life into a clear, readable tribute. The standard obituary format used by most American newspapers has remained consistent for decades: an opening identification line, a biographical narrative, a survivor section, and service information. An obituary outline helps writers organize information before drafting, preventing the common problem of publishing an obituary and immediately remembering something important that was omitted.
An obituary layout refers to the visual arrangement of text and photos in printed or digital publication. A newspaper obituary template provides a pre-formatted document that handles layout automatically, allowing writers to focus on content rather than typography and column settings. The option to write your own obituary template — setting up a personalized document format for your own life story — is increasingly popular as advance planning becomes a more accepted practice.
Standard Obituary Format: Section by Section
The standard obituary format proceeds through these sections in order:
- Opening identification: “[Full Name], [age], of [city], died [date] at [location — optional].”
- Birth information: “Born [date] in [city] to [parents’ names].”
- Educational background: Schools attended and degrees earned, particularly if relevant to career or community identity.
- Military service: Branch, years, rank at discharge, and notable service if applicable.
- Career narrative: Primary occupation(s), employer(s), years of service, and significant professional achievements.
- Personal life: Marriage date and spouse’s name, family built together, faith community, and personal interests.
- Community involvement: Civic organizations, volunteer work, and community roles.
- Survivors: Listed from closest to more distant relations.
- Preceded in death: Family members who died before the subject, listed by relationship.
- Service information: All public memorial events with dates, times, and locations.
- Memorial donations: Charitable organization preference in lieu of flowers, if applicable.
Obituary Outline Before Drafting
An obituary outline completed before writing prevents omissions and helps the writer organize thoughts logically. The outline does not need to be formal — a list of bullet points covering each section, with specific facts noted under each heading, provides enough structure for a first draft. The outline step is particularly valuable when multiple family members are contributing information and one person is responsible for writing the final text.
An effective obituary outline also identifies gaps: if you cannot complete the birth date section, that is a signal to call someone who might know before proceeding to drafting. Missing information that could have been recovered is one of the most common obituary regrets families express after publication.
Obituary Layout in Print and Online
An obituary layout in a newspaper follows the publication’s column grid — typically a one- or two-column format with a headshot photograph appearing at the top. Online obituary layouts on platforms like Legacy.com offer more flexibility: larger photos, gallery sections, and embedded video tributes supplement the text.
For funeral programs, the obituary layout is typically a center-aligned design with the name in large type, a full-length portrait photograph, and the text formatted across the inside pages of a folded booklet. A newspaper obituary template designed for print submission differs from a funeral program template in its column format and word-count constraints.
Write Your Own Obituary Template
A write your own obituary template allows individuals to document their own life story in advance — removing the burden from grieving family members and ensuring the published tribute reflects the person’s own voice and priorities. This document can be updated periodically as careers, relationships, and achievements accumulate.
A write your own obituary template should include:
- All biographical facts: birth date, birthplace, parents, siblings, spouse, children, grandchildren
- Career summary in the person’s own words
- The activities, interests, and community roles that mattered most to the individual
- A list of whom the person wants acknowledged as survivors
- Any preferences about service format, charitable designations, or language style
Store the write your own obituary template with important documents and inform at least one family member or attorney of its location. A completed template is one of the most considerate estate planning gifts a person can leave to their family.
