Obituary Writing Guide: How to Write a Meaningful Obituary in Georgia
Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things a person can go through. And in the middle of all that grief, you're often asked to do something that feels impossible — put into words the full weight of a life well-lived. Writing an obituary doesn't have to be overwhelming, though. With a little guidance, you can craft something that truly honors your loved one in a way that feels personal, dignified, and lasting.
At In Their Honor Funeral and Cremation Providers in Fairmount, Georgia, we walk alongside families through every step of this journey — and that includes helping you understand how to write an obituary in Georgia that captures the heart of who your loved one was.
What Is an Obituary, and Why Does It Matter?
An obituary is more than just a death announcement. It's a tribute — a brief but meaningful story of someone's life shared with their community. It lets family and friends know about the passing and the service arrangements, and it becomes a lasting record that future generations can look back on.
In Georgia, obituaries are typically published in local newspapers, posted on funeral home websites, and shared across social media and online memorial platforms. Each of these has its own format and requirements, which we'll walk through below.
Step-by-Step: How to Write an Obituary in Georgia
Step 1: Gather the Essential Information
Before you start writing, pull together the basic facts. You'll want to have the following on hand:
- Full legal name (and any nicknames or maiden names)
- Date and place of birth
- Date and place of passing
- City or town of residence at the time of passing
- Names of surviving family members (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, etc.)
- Names of family members who preceded them in death
- Career, military service, and volunteer work
- Church affiliation, hobbies, and personal interests
- Service details (date, time, location of visitation, funeral, or memorial service)
- A favorite photo
Having all of this in one place before you start writing makes the whole process much smoother.
Step 2: Open With a Meaningful Introduction
The first line of the obituary sets the tone. Instead of starting with something strictly formal, consider opening with a sentence that reflects your loved one's personality or faith. For example:
"With hearts full of love and gratitude, the family of [Full Name] announces her peaceful passing on [Date] at the age of [Age]."
Or, for someone with a strong faith background:
"[Full Name] entered into eternal rest on [Date], surrounded by the family who loved him dearly."
This opening is your first chance to show readers who this person was — don't be afraid to let a little personality come through.
Step 3: Share the Life Story
This is the heart of the obituary. Write two to four sentences about your loved one's life — where they grew up, what they did for work, what mattered most to them. You don't need to include everything; focus on what made them who they were.
Here's a simple template to follow:
"[Name] was born on [Date] in [City, State] and spent most of his life in [City, Georgia]. He was a devoted [profession/role] and a proud veteran of [branch of service]. He was a longtime member of [church name] and spent his retirement [hobby or passion]. Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who never missed a chance to [personal detail]."
Keep it honest and personal. The best obituaries read like something a close friend wrote — not a form letter.
Step 4: List the Survivors and Preceded-in-Death
This section is traditionally straightforward. List the names of surviving immediate family members, starting with the spouse, then children, then grandchildren, then siblings. Follow that with a sentence naming those who preceded them in death.
"[Name] is survived by his wife of 47 years, [Spouse's Name]; his children, [Name], [Name], and [Name]; seven grandchildren; and two brothers, [Name] and [Name]. He was preceded in death by his parents, [Parent Names], and his sister, [Sister's Name]."
If the family is large, it's okay to list the number of grandchildren or great-grandchildren rather than every individual name, especially for newspaper submissions where space and cost are factors.
Step 5: Include the Service Details
Make sure readers know when and where the service will be held. Include the visitation, funeral or memorial service, and burial location if applicable.
"A visitation will be held on [Day], [Date], from [Time] at [Location]. The funeral service will follow at [Time]. Burial will take place at [Cemetery Name] in [City, Georgia]."
If the service is private or a celebration of life is planned at a later date, note that as well.
Step 6: Add a Closing Statement or Special Request
Close the obituary with something meaningful. This might be a request for memorial donations, a favorite scripture, or simply a warm farewell from the family.
"In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to [charity name] in [Name]'s memory. The family extends their deepest gratitude to all who have offered prayers, kind words, and support during this time."
Georgia Newspaper Submission Requirements
If you're submitting the obituary to a local Georgia newspaper — such as the Rome News-Tribune, the Daily Tribune News (Cartersville), or the Atlanta Journal-Constitution — keep these general guidelines in mind:
Most Georgia newspapers charge by the word or line, so keeping the obituary concise helps manage costs. A standard obituary runs between 150 and 300 words. Some papers offer basic death notices (name, date, and service details only) at a lower cost if budget is a concern.
You'll typically submit obituaries directly through the newspaper's website or by calling their obituary department. Deadlines are usually 24 to 48 hours before the desired publication date, so plan accordingly. Newspapers may also have specific guidelines around photo formats (usually a JPEG under a certain file size) and acceptable content. Always check with the specific publication for their current submission process.
Online Posting Options in Georgia
Beyond the local paper, there are several places where you can post an obituary online to reach a wider community:
Funeral Home Website — At In Their Honor, we publish obituaries directly on our website at ithfuneral.com/obituaries, where friends and family can also subscribe to receive notifications when new obituaries are posted. This is a meaningful, no-cost way to share the news with your community.
Legacy.com — Many Georgia newspapers automatically post obituaries to Legacy.com, one of the largest online obituary platforms in the country. Visitors can leave condolences, share memories, and send flowers.
Dignity Memorial / Funeral Home Platforms — If your loved one is being served by a funeral home with an online memorial platform, those pages often allow for extended tributes, photo galleries, and guest books.
Social Media — Sharing an obituary on Facebook or other platforms has become common and can be especially helpful for reaching friends who live out of state or have lost touch over the years.
A Simple Obituary Template
Here's a fill-in-the-blank template you can use as a starting point:
[Full Name], [age], of [City, Georgia], passed away peacefully on [Date]. Born on [Date] in [City, State], [he/she/they] spent [his/her/their] life [brief life description]. [He/She/They] was a dedicated [profession or role] and a beloved member of [church or organization]. [His/Her/Their] greatest joy was [personal detail].
[He/She/They] is survived by [list of survivors]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [list of predecessors].
Services will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Location]. Visitation will be [Date/Time/Location]. Burial will follow at [Cemetery, City].
In lieu of flowers, the family requests [donation information or special request]. The family wishes to thank all who have offered their love and support.
You Don't Have to Do This Alone
Writing an obituary is one of many tasks that falls on a family's shoulders during an already difficult time. If you're not sure where to start — or if you simply need someone to walk you through it — our team at In Their Honor Funeral and Cremation Providers is here to help.
We're proud to serve families across Fairmount, Calhoun, Cartersville, Rome, and the surrounding communities of Northwest Georgia with the same care and compassion we'd give our own. Whether you need help writing the obituary, coordinating newspaper and online submissions, or planning a service that truly reflects your loved one's life, we're here every step of the way.
Visit our obituary listing page to view current tributes, or explore our memorial planning and personalization services to learn how we can help you create a tribute as unique as the life it honors.
You can also reach us directly at 678-770-7523 or stop by our location at 2764 US Highway 411 SE, Fairmount, Georgia 30139. We're here — and we're honored to help you honor them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an obituary be? Most obituaries run between 150 and 400 words. Shorter is fine for newspaper submissions where cost is a concern; online platforms allow for longer, more detailed tributes.
Who writes the obituary? Typically, a close family member writes the obituary, but your funeral home can provide guidance and templates. Some families hire a professional writer for longer tributes.
Does Georgia have any legal requirements for obituaries? No, obituaries are not legally required in Georgia. However, a death notice or obituary is customarily expected as a way to inform the community and document the passing.
Can I include a photo in the obituary? Yes, and it's highly encouraged. Most newspapers and online platforms accept a recent photo. Check with the publication for file format and size requirements.
What if I want to keep the service private? You can still publish an obituary while noting that services are private. If a public celebration of life is planned for a later date, include those details when available.
How do I submit an obituary to a Georgia newspaper? Most Georgia newspapers accept submissions online through their website or via email. Contact the obituary department directly for deadlines, pricing, and formatting requirements.
