Simple Obituary Examples (Plain, Short, Complete)

Many families want a simple obituary: no long life story, nothing flowery, just what people need to know and one sentence that sounds like the person. That is a good obituary, and it is easier to get right than a long one. The structure is below, then six examples with invented names.

The simple structure

1. Who, where, when: full name, age, town, date of death.
2. One line of who they were: work, or the thing they were known for.
3. One true detail: the thing only they did. Optional, and the best sentence.
4. Family: preceded by, survived by, names and counts.
5. Service: day, time, place.
6. Gifts: where, if the family wishes.

Sixty to a hundred and twenty words. If you have more than that, you are writing a standard obituary, which is also fine; the full guide covers it.

Mother

Joan Marie Fitzgerald, 83, of Worcester, died on September 10, 2026. She worked thirty years as a school secretary at Burncoat High and never forgot a student's name. She is survived by her children, Kevin, Maureen and Brian; eight grandchildren; and her brother, Tom. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bernard's. Gifts to the Worcester Public Library in her memory.

Father

Robert Lee Hastings, 77, of Tulsa, died on September 6, 2026. A pipefitter for forty years and a deacon at First Baptist for thirty, he built the church's deck, the youth room and most of its folding tables. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his sons, Robert Jr. and David; and six grandchildren. Services Friday at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Flowers welcome.

Wife

Ellen Grace Park, 69, of Portland, Oregon, died on September 8, 2026, after a long illness. A florist for thirty-five years, she arranged the flowers for two generations of the city's weddings. She is survived by her husband of forty-six years, Daniel; her daughter, Susan Park Lee (James); and three grandchildren. A memorial will be held Sunday, September 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Lan Su Chinese Garden. Bring a single flower.

Grandmother

Mary Agnes O'Connell, 94, of Scranton, died on September 2, 2026. She raised five children, helped raise fourteen grandchildren, and made soda bread every Sunday for seventy years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis, in 2009. She is survived by her children, Patrick, Margaret, James, Eileen and Thomas; fourteen grandchildren; and twenty-two great-grandchildren. Funeral Mass Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's. Burial at Cathedral Cemetery.

A young man

Tyler James Nguyen, 24, of Houston, died on September 5, 2026. A line cook at Truluck's and a guitar player in two bands, he was the funniest person in any kitchen he worked in. He is survived by his parents, Minh and Linda Nguyen; his sister, Kayla; and his grandparents. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, September 13, at 4:00 p.m. at Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre lawn. Bring a lawn chair. There will be music.

A simple notice for someone who lived alone

Walter Emil Novak, 81, of Cleveland, died on September 3, 2026. He served in the Army, worked forty years as a machinist at Lincoln Electric, and fed the birds on Bridge Avenue every morning at six. His wife, Dorothy, died in 2004. He is survived by his neighbours, who are keeping the birds fed. A gathering will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Wendelin Church.

What to leave out

• Adjectives. "Beloved", "devoted", "cherished" add words and no information.
• Every job and every address. The one they were known for is enough.
• Extended family by name. Immediate family named; cousins, in-laws and friends counted or left to the eulogy.
• The cause of death, unless the family wants it said. "After a long illness" and "unexpectedly" are complete.
• A closing line of consolation. A simple obituary ends on the service. The facts carry the feeling.