Losing a mother is a deeply emotional experience, and one that can leave you feeling lost and alone. Writing an obituary for your mother can be a way to honor her life and legacy, and to share her story with others. If you’re struggling to find the right words, or if you’re unsure of what to include, we’ve compiled a list of sample obituaries for mothers that you can use as a starting point.
Before we dive in, you can simply take a look at this obituary template. If you want examples or a guide for writing your own, you can look below.
[Name], [Age], passed away on [Date] in [Location]. [He/She] was born on [Date] in [Location] to [Parents’ Names]. [He/She] graduated from [School] in [Year] and went on to work as a [Profession] for [Number] of years. [He/She] married [Spouse’s Name] on [Date] and together they had [Number] children.
[Name] was known for [Characteristic/Hobby] and was loved by many for [Characteristic/Personality Trait]. [He/She] enjoyed [Hobby/Activity] and [Hobby/Activity] in [His/Her] free time. [He/She] will be remembered for [Achievement/Contribution] and [Characteristic/Personality Trait].
[Name] is survived by [His/Her] [Spouse/Partner], [Children], [Grandchildren], [Great-Grandchildren], [Siblings], [Other Family Members], and [Friends].
A memorial service will be held on [Date] at [Location]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [Charity].
In this article:
- Example Obituaries for Mothers
- How to write an obituary
- What not to include in an obituary
- Where Can I Publish an Obituary?
15 Example Obituaries You Can Use
Use any of the following 15 obituaries as a jumping off point for writing your own.
Mary Smith, 1948-2022: Mary Smith passed away peacefully on January 1, 2022, at the age of 73. She was born in New York City and spent most of her life in the surrounding area. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and her family meant everything to her.
Alice Johnson, 1955-2021: Alice Johnson passed away on October 5, 2021, at the age of 66. She was born in Chicago and spent most of her life in the area. Alice was a kind and caring person, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Sarah Davis, 1950-2023: Sarah Davis passed away on March 25, 2023, at the age of 73. She was born in Los Angeles and spent most of her life in the area. Sarah was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Joan Thompson, 1945-2020: Joan Thompson passed away on May 1, 2020, at the age of 75. She was born in Philadelphia and spent most of her life in the area. Joan was a dedicated teacher, and she touched the lives of countless students during her long and fulfilling career.
Helen Lee, 1943-2021: Helen Lee passed away on December 15, 2021, at the age of 78. She was born in San Francisco and spent most of her life in the area. Helen was a devoted mother and grandmother, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Karen Johnson, 1956-2022: Karen Johnson passed away on August 10, 2022, at the age of 66. She was born in Detroit and spent most of her life in the area. Karen was a loving mother and grandmother, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Margaret Wilson, 1940-2021: Margaret Wilson passed away on June 20, 2021, at the age of 81. She was born in Boston and spent most of her life in the area. Margaret was a kind and caring person, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Elizabeth Taylor, 1947-2022: Elizabeth Taylor passed away on January 10, 2022, at the age of 75. She was born in New York City and spent most of her life in the surrounding area. Elizabeth was a dedicated mother and grandmother, and her family meant everything to her.
Patricia Brown, 1942-2023: Patricia Brown passed away on March 1, 2023, at the age of 81. She was born in San Francisco and spent most of her life in the area. Patricia was a beloved mother and grandmother, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Linda Green, 1954-2021: Linda Green passed away on September 15, 2021, at the age of 67. She was born in Los Angeles and spent most of her life in the surrounding area. Linda was a kind and caring person, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Susan Jackson, 1949-2022: Susan Jackson passed away on April 5, 2022, at the age of 72. She was born in Chicago and spent most of her life in the area. Susan was a devoted mother and grandmother, and her family was the most important thing to her.
Barbara Martinez, 1957-2021: Barbara Martinez passed away on November 12, 2021, at the age of 64. She was born in Miami and spent most of her life in the surrounding area. Barbara was a kind and compassionate person, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Nancy Thompson, 1944-2022: Nancy Thompson passed away on May 15, 2022, at the age of 78. She was born in New York City and spent most of her life in the surrounding area. Nancy was a devoted mother and grandmother, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Mary Johnson, 1946-2021: Mary Johnson passed away on October 2, 2021, at the age of 75. She was born in Detroit and spent most of her life in the surrounding area. Mary was a kind and loving person, and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Carol Brown, 1952-2023: Carol Brown passed away on January 20, 2023, at the age of 70. She was born in Philadelphia and spent most of her life in the area. Carol was a beloved mother and grandmother, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
How to Write an Obituary for My Mother?
Writing an obituary for your mother can be a challenging task, but it can also be a way to honor her life and legacy. Here are some tips on how to write an obituary for your mother:
- Start with the basics: Begin by including your mother’s name, date and place of birth, and date and place of death. You may also want to include her age at the time of her passing.
- Provide some background: Share some details about your mother’s life, such as where she grew up, where she went to school, and what kind of work she did. You may also want to include information about her hobbies and interests, as well as any notable achievements or awards.
- Highlight her relationships: Describe your mother’s relationships with her family members and friends, and include any surviving loved ones. You may also want to share some anecdotes or memories that illustrate her close relationships with others.
- Include a meaningful quote: Consider including a favorite quote or saying that was meaningful to your mother. This can be a way to honor her unique personality and spirit.
- Conclude with a tribute: End the obituary with a tribute to your mother, expressing your love and appreciation for her life and legacy. You may also want to include information about any memorial services or donations that are being made in her honor.
What Should You Not Include in an Obituary?
While it’s important to honor your mother’s life and legacy in an obituary, there are some things that you should avoid including. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Personal details: Avoid including personal details that your mother would not want to be shared publicly, such as sensitive medical information or details about her financial situation.
- Negative comments: Avoid making negative comments or including details about any conflicts or disagreements your mother may have had with others.
- Private family matters: Avoid sharing private family matters or information about other family members that they may not want to be made
Where Can I Publish an Obituary?
After you have written your mother’s obituary, you may be wondering where to publish it. There are several options available to you:
- Local newspaper: Many people choose to publish obituaries in their local newspaper. Check with the newspaper’s obituary department for guidelines on submission and fees.
- Funeral home: Your chosen funeral home may offer obituary publication services. They can help you write the obituary and publish it in local and national newspapers.
- Online obituary sites: There are several websites that specialize in publishing obituaries, such as Legacy.com and Tributes.com. These sites often include guestbooks where friends and family can leave condolences.
- Social media: You may also consider publishing the obituary on your own social media pages, such as Facebook or Instagram. This can be a way to share the news with a wider audience and allow friends and family to share their memories and condolences.
When choosing where to publish the obituary, consider the audience you want to reach and the cost of publication. You may also want to ask family members for their input and preferences. By publishing your mother’s obituary, you can honor her life and legacy and share her story with others.
