How to Write an Obituary for Your Grandmother (Step-by-Step Guide + Example)
If you're searching for how to write an obituary for your grandmother, you may be unsure where to begin or how to summarize such a meaningful life. This guide will walk you through each step, explain what to include, and provide an example obituary you can use for reference.
If you prefer guided support, you can use our obituary-writing tool, which walks you through each section and creates a formatted draft automatically:
Try the obituary builder → https://www.remembrlink.com/create_obituray
In this guide, you’ll find:
• what to include in an obituary for a grandmother
• a sample obituary (for educational purposes only)
• helpful notes after the example
• alternate wording options
• a fill-in-the-blank template
• common mistakes to avoid
• frequently asked questions
Whether you need a short obituary, something for a celebration of life, or a longer tribute, this guide will help you write with confidence and clarity.
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What to Include in an Obituary for Your Grandmother
Use these steps as a starting point and personalize as needed.
1. Basic information
Start with:
• full name
• age
• city and state
• date of passing
• gentle wording about how she passed (optional)
Examples:
• “passed away peacefully”
• “surrounded by family”
• “after a long and full life”
2. Birth and early life
Optional details:
• birth date and birthplace
• parents’ names
• siblings
• childhood highlights
3. Marriage and family
You may include:
• spouse or partner
• children
• number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren
• meaningful family traditions
4. Career, service, and contributions
Examples:
• homemaker
• teacher
• volunteer
• military or community roles
• church involvement
5. Personality and interests
This is what makes the obituary feel personal:
• gardening
• quilting
• baking
• reading
• travel
• humor, kindness, faith, resilience
6. Surviving family members
Often listed in this order:
• children and spouses
• grandchildren
• great-grandchildren
• siblings
• predeceased family members (optional)
7. Service or memorial information
Include:
• date, time, and location
• celebration of life details
• livestream info (if applicable)
• “private service” if appropriate
Privacy tip: Do not include home addresses.
8. Memorial preferences (optional)
Examples:
• church
• hospice
• charity
• “in lieu of flowers…”
Most obituaries are 200–500 words, but online tributes may be longer.
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Example Obituary for a Grandmother
(For educational and example purposes only — all names and details are fictional)
Eleanor Mae Johnson, 89, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Born on May 3, 1935, in Durham, North Carolina, Eleanor was the daughter of Samuel and Grace Turner. After graduating from Durham High School, she worked as a secretary before dedicating her life to raising her family.
In 1956, Eleanor married her beloved husband, Thomas Johnson, and together they shared 63 years of marriage. She was known for her gentle spirit, her love of quilting, and the homemade biscuits she baked for every holiday gathering. Eleanor was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Baptist Church, where she volunteered in the preschool ministry for more than 25 years.
Eleanor is survived by her children, Linda (Mark) Reynolds and Steven (Karen) Johnson; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren who brought her endless joy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; her parents; and her sister, Margaret.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Baptist Church in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Eleanor’s memory.
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Helpful Notes About This Example
This obituary is provided only as a sample to guide your writing. You can adjust length, tone, and details to fit your family’s needs.
Why this example works
Gentle, complete opening sentence
Focuses on family and meaningful traditions
Includes personality and hobbies
Avoids sensitive or private details
Ends with clear service and donation information
If this example was helpful and you're ready to create your own, you can begin here:
Create your obituary now → https://www.remembrlink.com/create_obituray
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Alternate Wording Options
Short obituary
[Name], [age], of [city, state], passed away on [date]. She is survived by [family members]. A [service type] will be held on [date] at [location].
Obituary written from grandchildren
Our grandmother, [name], filled our lives with [value — love, warmth, laughter]…
Cremation wording
• “A private family gathering will be held.”
• “A celebration of life will take place at a later date.”
Faith-based language
• “went to be with the Lord”
• include scripture
• mention church involvement
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Fill-in-the-Blank Obituary Template
You can copy and customize:
[Full Name], [age], of [city, state], passed away [peacefully/after a brief illness/etc.] on [date].
She was born on [birth date] in [birthplace] to [parents’ names, optional]. [First name] graduated from [school] and [career/role or homemaker description], where she was known for [qualities/accomplishments].
In [year], she married [spouse’s name], and together they [family highlights]. She will be remembered for [traits, hobbies, passions].
[First name] is survived by [list surviving relatives] and preceded in death by [names, if applicable].
A [service type] will be held on [date/time] at [location]. In lieu of flowers, [donation preference].
When you're ready to save, edit, and publish your obituary online, you can do it here:
Start your obituary (no commitment to begin) → https://www.remembrlink.com/create_obituray
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
• trying to make it perfect
• sharing home addresses
• including private medical details
• switching between name formats
• writing without family review
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start writing an obituary for a grandmother?
Begin with:
• full name
• age
• city and state
• date of passing
How long should the obituary be?
Most are 200–500 words, but online versions may be longer.
Do I need to include cause of death?
No — it is entirely optional.
Is there one correct format?
No — choose a structure that feels right for your family.
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Final Thoughts
Learning how to write an obituary for your grandmother is not about perfection—it’s about honoring her life. Take your time, gather memories from loved ones, and write from the heart.
With RemembrLink, you can:
• write an obituary using our guided template tool
• save drafts and edit anytime
• add photos and family memories
• publish and share with friends and relatives
Begin your obituary here → https://www.remembrlink.com/create_obituray