Writing an obituary for your wife is one of the most personal things you'll ever put into words. She deserves to be seen fully — not just as a spouse or mother, but as the person she was in her own right.
It's easy to describe a wife through her roles — mother, caregiver, partner. Those matter. But so did her own passions, her career, her friendships, the things she cared about that had nothing to do with anyone else. Include all of it.
How long were you together? What did you build? What did she bring to your life that you couldn't have found anywhere else? These details give readers a sense of the partnership, not just the individual.
Whether she had a career outside the home or devoted herself to family, both deserve equal dignity. Name specifically what she gave her time to — and what she was good at.
If you have children together, her role as their mother deserves specific attention. What did she give them? What will they carry forward? Name it in a way that honors the specific person she was — not just that she was a mother.
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.
The work of building a home, raising children, and holding a family together is as worthy of recognition as any career. Name it specifically and with the same dignity you would give a professional achievement.