Obituary newspaper format

A newspaper obituary follows a tighter format than a memorial page or social post. Papers charge by the line or by the word, so every sentence has to earn its place. This page covers the standard structure, what each section is for, and how to fit a life into a column inch without losing it. For the broader frame, see how to write an obituary.

The standard newspaper structure

1. Announcement: full name, age, city, date of death, sometimes cause if the family chooses to share it
2. Biographical sketch: born to, raised in, schooling, career, marriage, family
3. Survivors: spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings
4. Predeceased by: a short line for those who died before
5. Service details: date, time, location
6. Memorial gifts or donations: where the family prefers

Costs to expect

Most US daily papers charge between $4 and $15 per line for an obituary, with a photo adding $50 to $200. A typical 300-word obituary lands between $300 and $1,200, depending on the market. Sunday editions cost more than weekdays. Smaller regional papers charge less. Some major metros have moved to flat per-inch pricing. Always ask the paper directly before you write; the cost will shape the word count.

A formatted example

Margaret Anne O'Brien, 84, of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Born in Pittsburgh on March 3, 1942, to the late James and Helen (Cassidy) O'Brien, Margaret attended St. Agnes Academy and graduated from Penn State in 1964. She married Thomas Walsh in 1966; together they raised three children in Erie, where Margaret taught second grade at Holy Family School for thirty-one years.

She is survived by her husband Thomas; her children Patrick (Anne), Mary (David), and James (Susan); her sister Helen Murphy; and nine grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Robert.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral, Erie. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Holy Family School.

Trimming for cost

If your draft is over budget, cut in this order: middle initials, full city names of distant relatives, exact dates on milestones (use the year only), and adjectives. Save the adjectives for the memorial page online, where space is free.

Submitting

Most funeral homes will submit the obituary on the family's behalf, included in their service. If you are submitting directly, the paper will ask for a verifying call to the funeral home. Photos should be 300 dpi minimum. Submit by the paper's deadline, usually 24 to 48 hours before publication.

For the wording that often appears at the end, see in lieu of flowers wording. For the donation page itself, see memorial donation page.

When you are ready, Stillwith helps you draft yours, at any length, with no per-line charge.