Free obituary templates for a child
You're here because you lost a child. There are no words that make this easier, and nobody expects you to write something perfect. A child's obituary is different from any other because you're writing about potential as much as memory, about who they were becoming as much as who they were. Take whatever time you need. These words will stand as a record of a life that mattered, no matter how brief.
Let our AI write it for you
Our AI obituary generator asks you questions about your child and writes a personalized obituary based on your answers. It takes about 10 minutes and produces something that sounds like it was written by someone who knew them.
Fill-in-the-blank templates
Choose the template length that fits your needs. Each one includes bracketed placeholders you can fill in with your child's details.
Short obituary template for a child (~150 words)
Approximately 150 words
A brief template when fewer words feel right. There is no minimum requirement for how much to say.
[FULL NAME], age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away on [DATE OF DEATH]. [FIRST NAME] was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES]. [FIRST NAME] was a [GRADE] grader at [SCHOOL NAME], where [he/she/they] [BRIEF SCHOOL DETAIL, e.g., "loved art class," "played on the soccer team," "was known for making everyone laugh"]. [He/She/They] [DEFINING QUALITY, e.g., "had a smile that could fill a room," "never met a stranger"]. [FIRST NAME] is survived by [his/her/their] parents, [NAMES]; [siblings, NAMES]; grandparents, [NAMES]; and [OTHER FAMILY]. [He/She/They] [was/were] preceded in death by [PREDECEASED, if applicable]. A [service/celebration of life] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [CHARITY/FUND] in [FIRST NAME]'s memory.]
Standard obituary template for a child (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
This works for most situations. Enough room to capture who they were without overwhelming the reader.
[FULL NAME], [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], passed away [peacefully/surrounded by their loving family/after a courageous battle with [ILLNESS]] on [DATE OF DEATH]. Born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE], [FIRST NAME] was the [birth order] child of [PARENTS' NAMES]. They grew up in [HOMETOWN/AREA] and graduated from [HIGH SCHOOL] in [YEAR]. [They went on to earn [their] [DEGREE] from [COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY].] [FIRST NAME] [married [SPOUSE'S NAME] on [WEDDING DATE] [at LOCATION]. Together they [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF LIFE TOGETHER, e.g., "built a home in [CITY]," "raised [NUMBER] children," "traveled to 30 countries"].] [They worked as a [OCCUPATION] for [NUMBER] years at [EMPLOYER/FIELD], where they [BRIEF ACCOMPLISHMENT OR REPUTATION].] Outside of work, [FIRST NAME] was known for [HOBBIES, INTERESTS, OR TALENTS]. [SPECIFIC DETAIL that shows personality]. What people remember most about [FIRST NAME] is [DEFINING PERSONALITY TRAIT OR HABIT]. [ONE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OR ANECDOTE THAT ILLUSTRATES THIS]. [FIRST NAME] are survived by [their] [SURVIVORS LIST]. They were preceded in death by [PREDECEASED LIST]. [A funeral service/A celebration of life] will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. [In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [CHARITY] in their memory.]
Celebration of life template for a child (~300 words)
Approximately 300 words
A template focused on celebrating who your child was, the joy they brought, and the impact of their life.
[FULL NAME], age [AGE], of [CITY, STATE], left this world on [DATE OF DEATH], leaving behind a family and community that will carry [his/her/their] memory forward. [FIRST NAME] was born on [BIRTH DATE] in [BIRTHPLACE] to [PARENTS' NAMES], who knew from the start that this child was [QUALITY, e.g., "going to keep them on their toes," "something special"]. [EARLY CHILDHOOD DETAIL, e.g., "He took his first steps at nine months and never stopped running" or "She started talking early and never stopped asking questions"]. At [SCHOOL], [FIRST NAME] [SCHOOL DETAIL]. [He/She/They] [ACTIVITY OR INTEREST, e.g., "played pitcher on the little league team," "was learning to play guitar," "collected rocks from every place the family visited"]. [PERSONALITY DETAIL, e.g., "Teachers knew him as the kid who always volunteered to help" or "She had a way of making the new kids feel welcome"]. What [FIRST NAME]'s family wants people to know is [SPECIFIC QUALITY OR MEMORY]. [CONCRETE EXAMPLE, e.g., "He once gave his lunch to a classmate who forgot theirs, then told his mom he just wasn't hungry" or "She drew a family portrait every year and they're all still on the fridge"]. [FIRST NAME] is survived by [SURVIVORS LIST]. [PREDECEASED, if applicable]. A celebration of [FIRST NAME]'s life will be held on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION]. The family asks that guests [SPECIAL REQUEST, e.g., "wear bright colors," "share a favorite memory," "bring a book to donate to the school library in [FIRST NAME]'s name"]. [Donations in [FIRST NAME]'s memory may be made to [CHARITY/FUND].]
Sample obituaries for a child
Real-style examples showing different tones and approaches. Read the commentary below each one to understand what makes it effective.
Ethan Michael Thompson
What makes this work
Redefining "brave" is the most honest part of this obituary. Acknowledging that he was scared and cried normalizes a child's experience with illness. The rock collection and undecided career plans capture a life in progress. Including the dog in survivors honors the relationship.
Aaliyah Rose Johnson
What makes this work
Leading with the honor roll achievement and insisting people know shows parental pride amid grief. The Wolf Pack and the 14 sketchbooks are details only someone close to Aaliyah would know. Including her friend group in the survivors list honors those relationships.
How to write an obituary for your child
- 1
Gather the essential facts
Before you write anything, collect the basics. Full name, date of birth, birthplace, date of death, and place of death. If you're unsure about any details, ask another family member or check documents. Getting the facts right matters, and it's easier to gather them before you start writing than to stop midway through.
- 2
List family and survivors
Write down everyone who should be mentioned. Surviving family members, those who preceded them in death, and close relationships that mattered. Get names and spellings right. If you're unsure about married names or the order of children, ask. This section is where mistakes get noticed.
- 3
Write about what they did
Career, education, volunteer work, military service. Don't just list titles. What did they actually do day to day? "They managed the produce department at Kroger for 22 years" tells a story. "They worked in retail" doesn't. Specifics make the difference.
- 4
Write about who they were
This is the hardest part, and the most important. What made them different from anyone else? Not "loving" or "kind" because those describe everyone. Think about the specific things. What did they do every morning? What was their thing that nobody else understood? What would a stranger notice about them in the first five minutes?
- 5
Include a specific memory or detail
One concrete detail does more work than ten adjectives. A hobby they was obsessive about. A phrase they said so often it became a family joke. The way they always did one particular thing. These details are what make people nod and say, "Yes, that's exactly right."
- 6
Choose the right tone
Think about who this person was. Would they want something formal and traditional? Something lighter that reflects their personality? There's no single right answer. Match the obituary to the person, not to some idea of what an obituary should sound like.
- 7
Read it aloud and revise
Write your draft, then walk away for a few minutes. Come back and read it out loud. You'll hear what's missing and what feels off. Does it sound like them? Would they recognize themself in these words? If not, adjust. If something feels forced, remove it. Your instinct is worth trusting here.
What to include in your child's obituary
Essential information
- ✓Full legal name
- ✓Date of birth and birthplace
- ✓Date of death and place of death
- ✓Survivors list
- ✓Predeceased family members
- ✓Service or memorial details
Life story details
- ✓School and grade
- ✓Activities and sports
- ✓Friends and friendships
- ✓What they were learning or interested in
- ✓Dreams they talked about
Personal touches
- ✓Hobbies and interests
- ✓Personality traits (specific, not generic)
- ✓A memorable habit or phrase
- ✓Favorite places or activities
- ✓Role in the family or community
Optional additions
- ✓A favorite quote or scripture
- ✓Charitable donation preferences
- ✓A brief anecdote that captures who they were
- ✓Cause of death (family's decision)
Quotes for a child's obituary
“There is no foot so small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.”
“An angel in the book of life wrote down my baby's birth. Then whispered as she closed the book: too beautiful for earth.”
“Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.”
“Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day.”
“A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark.”
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
“Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”
Frequently asked questions
How long should my child's obituary be?
There's no rule. A newspaper obituary might run 150 to 200 words because papers charge by the line. An online obituary or funeral program can be as long as you need. Most obituaries fall between 200 and 500 words. Length doesn't equal love. A three-sentence obituary written with care means more than a page of generic praise.
Who should write my child's obituary?
Whoever feels most able to right now. In many families, one person takes the lead because the others are too overwhelmed. There's no tradition that dictates who should do it. What often works well is having one person write the first draft and then sharing it with close family for additions and corrections. If nobody feels up to it, an AI obituary generator can provide a solid draft that the family can review and personalize together.
Should I mention how my child died?
This is entirely your family's decision. Some families include the cause of death because it was part of their story. Others prefer privacy and simply say "passed away peacefully" or "died at home surrounded by family." If your child were open about their illness during their life, mentioning it usually feels right. If they were private about it, respecting that makes sense.
How do I write an obituary for a very young child?
Focus on who they were in the time they had. What did they love? What made them laugh? What were they learning? Even a two-year-old has a personality that their family can describe. You don't need milestones and achievements. You need the moments that made you smile. Those are the details that make the obituary real.
What if I can't stop crying long enough to write?
Then don't write right now. Ask someone you trust to help. Give them the facts and a few memories, and let them put together a first draft. You can add to it or change it later. If there's a deadline from the funeral home or newspaper, a short obituary with just the basic facts is enough for now. You can always write more when you're ready.
Related templates
Related to Child
Writing more than the obituary? See Eulogy for a child, Child obituary examples, and Newspaper submission guide.