It is hard to write an obituary for your husband because you have to relive his life, a life that was filled with emotions. Each year approximately 700,000 American women are faced with doing emotional labor like this, so please do try and remember that you are not alone.

Even as you mourn, you have to learn, how to write an obituary for a husband and understand that it isn’t just announcing death but celebrating his life. It’s where you have the opportunity to write your narrative, tell others who he was, and make other individuals remember him even after he is no longer there.

Why Writing a Husband’s Obituary Is So Personal

Crafting your husband’s obituary is very personal because you shared life together. You know his daily morning routine, his aspirations, and his most special stories. No one witnessed your special moments, and no one witnessed the love he gave.

Writing his obituary would feel like returning to the years you spent together. You have memories that no one else saw, you remember how he laughed at his own jokes, how he took care of his family, and how he celebrated small victories.

This personal knowledge makes the task both harder and meaningful. You carry the responsibility of representing his full life, not just his public achievements.

What Details to Include in His Obituary

1. Start with simple facts. his name, age, and date of death, and add his date of birth. These are the fundamentals of his obituary.
   
2. Discuss his family. Name his father and mother and his siblings. Discuss where he grew up and attended school. If he was in the military.
   
3. Consider sharing some parts of the marriage. Discuss when and where he met you. Mention your children and their names. Consider adding information on grandchildren if applicable.
   
4. Include his interests and hobbies. Did he love fishing, reading, or coaching? These details show his personality. Mention organizations he joined, volunteer work he did, or causes he supported.
   
5. Do not forget to mention memorial information such as date, time, and location. You may also include information about flowers or donations.

Keep your description brief and to the point. You want to pack more meaning into fewer words.

Capturing the Essence of Your Relationship

Your marriage had unique characteristics that set it apart from all others and will make the obituary even more unique. Consider what in your marriage was different. Did you share adventures together? Did you both like to garden? Did you support each other in difficult times?

Consider specific examples where he demonstrates who he is. Perhaps he always brought your coffee to bed, or he always attended your kids’ activities. These tiny things reveal his genuine character.

Discuss what you have done together. Have you started a business together? Have you supported one another when things got rough? These achievements demonstrate what kind of husband he truly was.

Examples of Obituary Opening Lines for a Husband

A good opening reveals who he was and why he mattered. Here are a few examples:

1. John Michael Thompson, loving husband and father, passed on March 15 2024, peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.
2. “Robert Bob Williams, 67, an Ideal husband, passed away suddenly at home on February 8, 2025.”

Make sure your introduction is compelling, because a good start is vital to set the tone you want for the rest of the obituary.

Tips for Writing with Love, Strength, and Clarity

Get in tune with what you want to write; think first before you begin. Get your main points in order. 

• Speak simply and clearly. Avoid using big words that sound unnatural for you.
• Specify rather than generalize. Rather than writing “he loved his family,” write “he never missed his children’s soccer games and taught all his children how to drive.”
• Ask your family and friends. They might remember things you could have forgotten. 
• Consider who will read your writing. Write for those who were close to him as well as those who never knew him. Anyone reading your writing must understand who he was.
• Read your draft out loud. This will help you in identifying awkward sentences. Your obituary should sound natural when you read it out loud.

Take breaks while writing. Grief makes concentration difficult. Write a section, then step away. Return later with a fresh mind.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Spouse’s Obituary

Obituaries are reflections of one that passed, but even professional writers make mistakes when writing. To avoid these mistakes, follow the tips listed below:

• Don’t try to mention everything he did during his lifetime: Highlight mainly the most important aspects that created who he was. Better obituaries present significant highlights rather than listing everything.
  
• Name only the closest relatives: End the obituary with “and other relatives and friends” to cover all the rest.
  
• Don’t just let the obituary reflect your sadness: As much as you want to reflect that you miss him, the obituary must also reflect his life and accomplishments. Combine your sadness with thankfulness for who he was.

Where to Publish and Share the Obituary

Most families begin by placing an obituary in their local newspaper. In fact, a study shows that 88% of people prefer this option, both in print and online, because it reaches a broad local audience.

From there, you can expand the reach through online memorial pages. Which allows family and friends from around the world to view the obituary and share memories.

Consider your husband’s church groups or clubs, as they usually publish obituaries in newsletters or on their websites, ensuring that people who knew him through these circles are informed.

If you want his memories to last forever, make sure to get in touch with companies such as HonorYou that offer virtual Memorial Gardens where you can post obituaries for your loved ones to view from anywhere.

Finally, remember that not everyone uses the internet. Use mail to inform distant family and friends.

Moving Forward After Writing His Obituary

Writing your husband’s obituary is your way of paying tribute to him. You have captured his 

story so that others can read it and remember him.

Understanding how to write an obituary for your husband and writing it, is courageous, loving, and generous. Doing so demonstrates respect for his life and for your time with him.