Details to include
photo, name, age, city, date of death, place of death
date and place of birth, parents' names with mother's maiden name
education, military service information, employment, organizations, accomplishments, hobbies, anything you want people to know
survivors, preceded in death by...
service times, place, burial place, contributions
 

Example of an obituary (sometimes printed two or three columns wide) 

   Mary Ann Smith, 78, formerly of Philadelphia,  died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Trenton Hospital. She was currently residing with her daughter, Theresa Jones, in Newark.

   Her husband, John F. Smith, died in 2000. She was born in Philadelphia on Sept. 4, 1929, to the late Joseph and Susan (Johnson) Monroe. Mary Ann loved to travel, crochet, bowl, and spend time with her family. Her kind smile and generous spirit touched many lives. She will be deeply missed.

   She is survived by two sons, William and Joseph Smith, both of Philadelphia; two daughters, Helen Green of Houghton, and Theresa Jones of Newark;   a brother, William Monroe of Trenton; and grandchildren, Dan and Alicia Smith, Jeffrey and Megan Green, and Emily Jones. Also surviving are three nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by a sister, Joan Murphy.

   The funeral will be Tuesday 11am at New Jersey Funeral Chapel, 550 E. Main St., Newark, with the Rev. Gregory Donaldson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, presiding. Burial will be in Twin Oaks Memorial Park in Mt. Carmel.

   Friends will be received at the funeral home on Tuesday 10 to 11 a.m. If you wish, please send contributions in her memory to St. Anthony School, 20 Broad St., Mt. Carmel, 11122

Example of a free death notice when a full obituary has already run -

Mary Ann Smith, 78, of Phila., Jan. 5, 2007. Survived by sons William and Joseph Smith, both of Phila.; daughters, Helen Green of Houghton, Theresa Jones of Newark; brother, William Monroe of Trenton; grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Predeceased by husband, John F. Smith, and sister, Joan Murphy.

Visitation at Southeast Funeral Home Tues. 5-7pm. Services Wed. 11am at the funeral home, 550 E. Main St., Newark. Burial at Twin Oaks Memorial Park, Mt. Carmel. Contributions to St. Anthony School, 20 Broad St., Mt. Carmel, 11122. 

 

Example of the same obituary run as a paid death notice when an obituary may or not be run by the newspaper.  

  Mary Ann Smith, 78, formerly of Philadelphia,  died Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Trenton Hospital. She was currently residing with her daughter, Theresa Jones, in Newark.

   Her husband, John F. Smith, died in 2000. She was born in Philadelphia on Sept. 4, 1929, to the late Joseph and Susan (Johnson) Monroe. Mary Ann loved to travel, crochet, bowl, and spend time with her family. Her kind smile and generous spirit touched many lives. She will be deeply missed.

   She is survived by two sons, William and Joseph Smith, both of Philadelphia; two daughters, Helen Green of Houghton, and Theresa Jones of Newark;   a brother, William Monroe of Trenton; and grandchildren, Dan and Alicia Smith, Jeffrey and Megan Green, and Emily Jones. Also surviving are three nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by a sister, Joan Murphy.

   The funeral will be Tuesday 11am at New Jersey Funeral Chapel, 550 E. Main St., Newark, with the Rev. Gregory Donaldson, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, presiding. Burial will be in Twin Oaks Memorial Park in Mt. Carmel.

   Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday 10 to 11 a.m. Contributions in her memory may be sent  to St. Anthony School, 20 Broad St., Mt. Carmel, 11122.