Eulogies & obituaries
Obituary examples and how to write one
By Lindiwe Khumalo · 6 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
An obituary is the short written summary of a person's life, printed in the funeral program, shared online, or placed in a newspaper. This page gives you a fill-in-the-blank obituary template and a few worked examples so you can write one quickly.
An obituary answers simple questions: who they were, where and when they lived, what they did, who survives them, and the funeral details. It is warm but brief - the longer story belongs in the eulogy.
Fill in the template below and you will have a complete obituary in a few minutes.
What every obituary includes
A complete obituary covers:
- Full name (and clan or maiden name if relevant)
- Dates of birth and passing
- A short life summary - birthplace, work, marriage, children, faith or community
- Surviving family - spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings
- Funeral details - date, time and venue of the service and burial
That is the whole job. Everything else is optional.
Fill-in-the-blank obituary template
Copy and complete:
[FULL NAME] of [TOWN / SUBURB] passed away peacefully on
[DATE] at the age of [AGE].
[He / She] was born on [DATE] in [PLACE]. [Short life story:
schooling, career, marriage, children, faith, hobbies - two
or three sentences].
[He / She] is survived by [spouse NAME], [children NAMES],
[grandchildren NAMES], and a host of relatives and friends.
[He / She] was predeceased by [NAMES, if any].
The funeral service will be held at [VENUE] on [DATE] at
[TIME], followed by interment at [CEMETERY].
The family thanks everyone for their love and support.
Delete any line that does not apply.
Example: a short obituary
Sarah Naidoo of Chatsworth passed away peacefully on 9 June 2026 at the age of 81.
She was born in Durban in 1944, trained as a seamstress, and ran a small tailoring business from her home for over forty years. She was a devoted member of her temple and never let a visitor leave hungry.
She is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Raj.
The service will be held at the family home on 13 June 2026 at 09:00, followed by the cremation at Clare Estate. The family thanks everyone for their love and support.
Example: a longer obituary
It is with deep sadness that the Mokoena family announces the passing of Petrus "Bra Pat" Mokoena, who died on 7 June 2026 in Mahikeng at the age of 68.
Born in 1958, Petrus left school early to support his mother and went on to become a respected builder whose work stands across the town to this day. He married Grace in 1984, and together they raised six children on faith, hard work and Sunday choir practice. He served as a church elder for twenty years and mentored countless young men in his trade.
He is survived by his wife Grace; children Lerato, Tshepo, Naledi, Kgosi, Refilwe and Bontle; sixteen grandchildren; and his brother Samuel.
A celebration of his life will be held at Bethel Church on 14 June 2026 at 08:00, followed by the burial at the Mahikeng cemetery. The family is grateful for every prayer and kind word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write an obituary?
Start with the person's full name, town and date of passing, then give a short life summary - birthplace, work, marriage, children and faith. List the surviving family, add the funeral details, and close with a line of thanks. Keep it warm but brief.
What should an obituary include?
An obituary includes the full name, dates of birth and passing, a short life summary, the list of surviving family, and the funeral service and burial details. A line thanking the community for their support is a common and welcome addition.
How long should an obituary be?
For a funeral program, one short paragraph plus the family list is enough. For a newspaper or online notice you might write two or three paragraphs. The detailed story belongs in the spoken eulogy rather than the written obituary.
What is the difference between an obituary and a eulogy?
An obituary is the short written life summary printed in the program or a newspaper. A eulogy is the longer spoken tribute given at the funeral. The obituary states the facts; the eulogy tells the personal stories.
Should an obituary include the cause of death?
It is entirely optional and many families choose not to. If you do mention it, a gentle phrase like "after a long illness" or "suddenly" is usually enough. There is no obligation to share medical detail.
