An obituary is a formal death announcement, usually seen in a local newspaper or published online. Writing an obituary for a loved one who died is often challenging. This is especially true if you don’t know how to write an obituary.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Steps for Writing an Obituary for a Deceased Jewish Loved One
- Examples of Jewish Obituaries
- Jewish Obituary Templates
- Places You Can Post an Obituary for a Jewish Loved One
This is more than just a goodbye to the deceased. It’s a way to detail the life and legacy of someone you love, creating something memorable for generations to come. For a Jewish loved one, it’s also important to be mindful of Jewish funeral traditions.
Because Jewish funerals typically take place the day following the death, it’s essential to work quickly to publish your loved one’s obituary. Here’s a complete guide to how to write an obituary for a Jewish loved one, as well as key examples to get you started on the right foot.
Steps for Writing an Obituary for a Deceased Jewish Loved One
Writing an obituary requires careful consideration for the deceased, surviving relatives, and the legacy one leaves behind.
This is more than just an announcement of the death. It’s part of someone’s story. Follow these steps to write an effective, compelling obituary for a deceased Jewish loved one.
1. Gather key information
To begin, you’ll need to collect key information about your loved one. This includes the following:
- Their name
- Birthday and date of death
- Location of death
- Hometown
- Surviving relatives (spouse, children, parents, etc.)
- Career
- Degree or field of study
- Service times and location
- Burial location
While you don’t need to include all of the above, it’s not uncommon to do so. The amount of information you include will depend on your budget, the publication’s guidelines, and so on. It’s common to publish obituaries online nowadays, which means you often have more space to work with.
2. Begin by announcing the death
The opening of the obituary is the formal announcement of death. This establishes the basics like the name, age, and place of residence for the deceased person. There are many different ways to formally acknowledge a death, and the one you use comes down to personal preferences. Some ideas are:
- Passed away
- Died
- Surrounded by family
- After struggling with [illness/cancer/etc]
This section depends entirely on how much or how little you feel like sharing. You might also wish to include the cause of death, though this is never required.
3. Tell their story
After announcing the death in the first 1-3 lines, begin sharing the individual’s biography. This isn't their full life story. There simply isn’t enough space for that. It’s a brief highlight reel of someone’s greatest accomplishments and achievements.
It’s common to include milestones like:
- Education and graduation
- Marriage
- Military service
- Work
- Children
- Community service or volunteer work
- Accomplishments or honors
Whenever listing a relationship, include the full name of that individual. For example, when listing a marriage, include their spouse’s name and the year of their union. This section is most often in chronological order, but there are no strict rules.
4. List surviving family
Before sharing the service information, make a point to list any surviving family members. The obituary is for the living, and these family members help tell someone’s story. It’s normal to name closest relatives first, like spouses or children, followed by parents, siblings, grandparents, and so on.
It’s also typical to list any predeceased relatives. These are individuals who passed away prior to this death. It’s usually written as “[Name] is predeceased by his father, [Full name].” Sharing the names of surviving and predeceased family creates a web of ancestry and remembrance.
5. Share service times
Last but not least, share the time and date of the service. If it’s not open to the public, write that the family will be having a private memorial. In Jewish tradition, it’s common to include the name of the rabbi who is officiating the service.
Because it is not seen as respectful to send flowers as part of Jewish condolences, the family might choose to list sympathy gift ideas to be sent in lieu of flowers. They might ask for a donation in someone’s honor, food, or other forms of support.
6. Include any extras
Last but not least, sometimes there is space to include extras with the obituary. These could be photos, quotes, poems, and more. While photos will add to the overall cost, especially if used in a local newspaper, they truly help shape someone’s legacy.
If you do choose to include a photo, many opt for a recent photo. Including both a recent and dated photo helps local community members recognize them, and it’s also something to hold on to for years to come.
Examples of Jewish Obituaries
An obituary template is often the best way to understand the format and function of this specific type of writing. Because we don’t usually write obituaries often (if at all), having a guide to follow simplifies the process.
Example for a parent or grandparent
Jeff Johnson, 80, of Boston, MA, passed away on August 1 in Amherst, MA, surrounded by his friends and family. He had been fighting cancer for years, and his family was at peace knowing his suffering had come to an end.
Jeff was born in Boston to Jeremey and Gina Johnson on September 30, 1940. He went to high school at Boston Central, and he graduated in 1958. After college, he joined the military, where he served in the Air Force for 20 years. While overseas, he met the love of his life, Diana. They returned to Massachusetts, where they had two children, Ben and Mary.
Jeff enjoyed attending events with his kids and playing golf with his friends on the weekends. He was the first to help a friend in need, and he will be remembered for his acts of community service. Jeff is survived by his wife, Diana, his children, Ben and Mary, and his grandchildren, Mark and Mason. His parents, Jeremy and Gina, died in 1995, and he will be buried in the same family plot.
A funeral service will be held at Boston Synagogue on August 2 at 10 AM with Rabbi Jones. The burial will follow at Fields Cemetery. Shiva will be held at the Boston Synagogue on August 3. The family would like to thank the community for their ongoing support.
Example for a child
Mary Smith, age 5, passed away in her mother’s arms on April 1 in Tampa, Florida. Though her life was short, it shined brightly. Born to parents John and Ruby Smith in May of 2000, Mary was diagnosed with a heart condition at birth. She never let that slow her down, and she was a joy to her entire family.
Mary is survived by her parents, John and Rub, her brother, Max, and her grandparents, Martin and Jill Smith. The family is holding a private service in her honor. She will be buried at Springtime Pastures Cemetery in Tampa, FL. The family requests any donations in Mary’s honor to be made to the Tampa Children’s Hospital.
Example for a partner or spouse
Dakota Greer died on January 15 in her hometown of Spring, Iowa, at age 50. She passed with her children by her side, a positive spirit until the very end. Dakota was born in 1960 to parents Isabella and Reid Easton.
After graduating high school in 1978, she attended The University of Iowa, where she studied Engineering. She was one of the first women engineers at Iowa Mechanics Institute and paved the way for women in STEM everywhere. She married her high school sweetheart, Haris Greer, shortly after earning her Master’s Degree.
She quickly returned to work after having her three children, Charles, Linda, and Ana. Though she loved her job, she always had time for family and friends. Dakota is survived by her children and husband, and is predeceased by her parents, Isabella and Reid, and her brother, Pat. Her funeral will be held at Temple Beth Shalom under the care of Rabbi Mark.
Example for someone who died suddenly
The Denton family is sad to announce Bob Weston’s passing, age 25, on September 5. He passed in the hospital, surrounded by his family, after a tragic car accident. Though his time on earth was cut short, his friends and family know he always lived life on his own terms.
Born to Ella and Viktor Denton of Seattle, WA, Bob was always a lively, rambunctious child. He was the first to speak up for what he believed in, and he was a friend to all. After graduating from the University of Seattle in 1999, he took a year off to travel the world and take in all life had to offer.
Though he’s gone too soon, he will be remembered by his parents, Ella and Viktor, and his long-term girlfriend Emily Underwood. A funeral will be held in his honor at Seattle Synagogue by Rabbi Emanuel on September 6. His family asks for the community to respect their privacy at this time.
Jewish Obituary Templates
Writing an obituary can be confusing, especially if you’re not sure where to begin. With emotions already running high, it helps to use an obituary template. These Jewish obituary templates are created with Jewish customs and phrasings in mind so you can make something meaningful without the stress.
For a parent or grandparent
[Name], [age], of [city], passed away on [date of death] surrounded by family. [First name] was born in [place of birth] to [parent’s names] on [date of birth]. [He/she] went to school at [school name] and graduated in [year] with a degree/certificate in [major]. [First name] worked as a [job title] for [number of years]. A beloved parent, [he/she] is survived by [his/her] spouse, [name], and children, [names]. A service will be held at [temple name] on [date].
For a sibling
Our [full name] left this world yesterday on [date of death]. [First name] passed at age [age] in [place of death]. [He/she] was one of [number of siblings]. Above all things, [he/she] excelled at [hobby] and [accomplishment]. A beloved [son/daughter], sibling, and friend, [first name] will be deeply missed by the community. [He/she] is survived by parents, [parent’s names], and siblings, [siblings’ names]. Funeral services will be held at [temple name]. Please consider making a donation to [organization name] in [first name’s] honor.
For a child
[Full name] passed away on [date] at the age of [age], following [cause of death]. [First name] was born in [place of birth] on [date of birth] to loving parents, [parent’s names]. [He/she] was a beloved child, known for [his/her] [attribute] personality. [He/she] was excited to be a [career] when [he/she] grew up. [First name’s] memory will be cherished by the [last name] family.
For a friend
[Full name], [age], of [city], passed away on [date of death]. [First name] was born on [date of birth] to [parent’s names] in [city of birth]. After graduating [school name], [he/she] continued to study [field of study] at [university]. After graduation, [he/she] worked at [title] for [number of years]. [First name] was a beloved partner to [spouse’s name], and [he/she] was a cherished friend to all. [His/her] family and friends invite the community to honor [his/her] memory at [temple name] on [date].
Places You Can Post an Obituary for a Jewish Loved One
Now that you know how to write a Jewish obituary, where can you share it? Sharing an obituary is the final step. This is how you spread the news about a loss, and it also is a chance to get support from your community. Here’s where you can post an obituary for a Jewish loved one.
Newspaper
Of course, the first place you can post an obituary for a Jewish loved one is in the local newspaper. Newspapers almost always have an obituary section, and these are easy to access for a fee. However, newspapers always charge by the text size, so you might be limited in how much space you have.
There are a lot of different types of newspapers to choose from. You can opt for a local newspaper, state or national newspaper, or a small newsletter. Consider industry papers or any community groups your loved one was involved with. This should be a personal tribute.
Online memorial site
Similarly, online memorial sites are more up-and-coming. These are a popular way to share the news of a loss, and they’re available for free (or a low fee). An online memorial website is a platform specifically for sharing obituaries.
With collaborative tools like guest books, photo albums, and more, there’s a reason so many families choose to post to online memorial websites. Unlike newspapers, you don’t have the same limitations with online memorial sites. Your memorial can have unlimited characters, photos, and more.
Social media
Another common option today is to post an obituary on social media. Sharing the news of a passing on social media is a quick, accessible way to update your friends and family. You can also get the support you need quickly. The most common platform is Facebook, but this isn’t your only option. It’s becoming more socially acceptable and expected to share these types of personal updates on social media platforms.
Temple website
Finally, it’s common for those active in their local temple to share their obituaries on the synagogue’s website or newsletter. This updates the full community about the loss, and it invites prayers. In the Jewish faith, community is important. Whether inviting others to sit shiva or express condolences, it’s common to update the temple leadership.
Write a Heartfelt Jewish Obituary
An obituary is a glimpse into someone’s life. Everyone has a story to tell, no matter when they died or how long they lived. An obituary is a final sendoff from one’s closest relatives and friends. It’s a lasting reminder that everyone has a powerful legacy.
Writing an obituary for a Jewish loved one doesn’t have to be complicated. As long as you’re able to tell their story in a way that would make them proud, you’re successful.