Writing an obituary for your father is one of the harder things you'll be asked to do. He may have been a man of few words, or a man who filled every room. Either way, he deserves to be remembered with care.
Men of his generation are often defined by their work. And while his career matters, the obituary people remember is the one that captures who he was beyond the job title — his sense of humor, the way he showed love, what he was proudest of.
Don't let it go without saying. Was he the one who showed up to every game? Who taught you how to work hard? Who called every Sunday? Specificity is what makes an obituary feel real rather than formal.
An obituary doesn't require you to resolve complexity. You can honor a life without pretending it was uncomplicated. Focus on what was true and meaningful — that is enough.
If he served, name the branch, the years, and any honors received. For many men of his generation, military service was foundational to who they became.
Begin with their full name, age, where they lived, and the date they passed. Then move into what made them who they were — their life's work, their family, their character. The opening line sets the tone for everything that follows.
Most obituaries run 200–500 words. For newspaper placement, shorter is often necessary due to per-word costs. Online obituaries have no limit. Write as much as it takes to honor them — no more, no less.
Start with facts: name, dates, where they lived, who they're survived by. Then ask yourself what you would want a stranger to know about them. What would you tell someone who never got to meet them? That answer is usually the heart of the obituary.
A life's work isn't only a career. If your father raised children, ran a farm, or spent his life doing something without a title — that deserves to be named just as clearly. Focus on what he gave his time and energy to.