Writing an Obituary for Your Grandfather

When you sit down to write an obituary for your grandfather, you are usually balancing two distinct roles. You are honoring a man who built a long life, career, and community presence, while also honoring someone who let you sit on his lap, taught you how to cast a fishing reel, or slipped you twenty-dollar bills when your parents were not looking.

Grandfathers anchor families across decades. Capturing that depth within a few hundred words can feel daunting, especially while you are coordinating funeral logistics. This guide outlines exactly what to include, how to navigate family listings, and provides five complete, realistic examples you can adapt.

What to include in an obituary for your grandfather

Most obituaries follow a chronological and structural order. Following this standard framework ensures you do not miss critical legal or genealogical facts while leaving room for personal warmth.

1. Announcement and key details

Open with his full name (including any common nickname in quotation marks), his age at death, his city of residence, and the date of his passing. You may choose to mention the setting, such as at home surrounded by family or after a short illness.

2. Early life and background

List his date and place of birth, his parents' names, and where he grew up. Include his education, high school or college graduations, and any branch of the armed forces in which he served, along with his rank or era of service if known.

3. Career, community, and personal interests

Summarize his work life, whether he spent forty years at an auto plant, ran a family hardware store, or worked in civil service. Mention the clubs, volunteer organizations, or faith communities he devoted time to. Include the hobbies that defined his retirement: woodworking, gardening, bridge, golf, or coaching youth sports.

4. His role as a grandfather

Dedicate a sentence or two to his relationship with the family. Mention his distinctive traditions, whether that was Sunday morning pancakes, attending every Little League game, or hosting summer reunions at a lake house.

5. Family members

Listing family correctly requires care. The standard order moves from closest surviving generation to past generations:

• Spouse: State whether he was married, including his wife's maiden name if desired (for example, "his wife of 54 years, Martha (née Lindstrom) Evans").
• Children and their spouses: Group children with their partners by placing the partner's name in parentheses: "his children, David (Sarah) Miller and Karen (Thomas) Brooks." Alternatively, you can write "David Miller and his wife Sarah, and Karen Brooks and her husband Thomas."
• Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: If the family is small, you can name each grandchild individually. If there are many, listing the count is completely acceptable: "he leaves behind eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren."
• Step-family and partners: Modern obituaries treat blended families with equal warmth. Stepchildren and step-grandchildren can be listed seamlessly alongside biological family members, or introduced clearly: "his stepchildren, Marcus and Elena." For an unmarried lifelong companion, write "his longtime partner, Evelyn Shaw."
• Predeceased relatives: Conclude the family section with those who passed before him, starting with "He was preceded in death by..." Typically list his parents, deceased siblings, or a deceased spouse or child.

6. Service details and memorial donations

Provide the dates, times, and locations for the visitation, funeral, burial, or memorial reception. If the family prefers charitable contributions instead of flowers, name the specific organization and provide a web address or mailing address.

Obituary examples

Traditional obituary example

This format suits a local newspaper or funeral home website. It covers a full lifespan, military service, and family tree with traditional dignity.

Arthur "Art" Raymond Miller, 83, of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, surrounded by his children.

Art was born on October 12, 1942, in Jackson, Michigan, to Raymond and Dorothy Miller. After graduating from Oakridge High School in 1960, he served four years in the United States Navy as an electronics technician aboard the USS Intrepid. Following his honorable discharge, he earned an associate degree from Valley Community College and spent 34 years as a maintenance supervisor with Summit Manufacturing before retiring in 2001.

In 1966, Art married the love of his life, Patricia "Pat" Henderson. Together they built a home in Delta Township and shared 57 years of marriage until Pat's death in 2023. Art was a quiet, steady presence whose workshop always smelled of sawdust and lemon oil. He spent his retirement restoring classic lawn tractors, tending an immaculate vegetable garden, and traveling to northern Michigan each fall.

Art's greatest joy was his role as "Papa." He attended decades of choir concerts, track meets, and band competitions, always arriving thirty minutes early to secure a seat in the front row.

He is survived by his children, Brian (Cheryl) Miller of Grand Ledge and Susan (Michael) Vance of Okemos; his seven grandchildren, Ethan, Clara, Lucas, Hannah, Zachary, Abigail, and Matthew; his sister, Janice Kowalski; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, and his brother, Donald Miller.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oakridge Funeral Home in Lansing. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society.

Short newspaper obituary example

When local newspapers charge per line or word, a concise version shares the essential facts clearly without unnecessary expense.

Thomas Edward Hayes, 87, of Richmond, Virginia, died on January 8, 2026. Born on June 4, 1938, in Roanoke, Tom worked as a civil engineer with the state department of transportation for 38 years. He was an avid birdwatcher, a patient woodworker, and a dedicated grandfather who never missed a school play or ballgame. Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eleanor; children, Gregory (Karen) Hayes and Laura (David) Chen; four grandchildren; and his brother, Paul. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 17, at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Community Church, Richmond. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Richmond Public Library Foundation.

Modern and personal obituary example

This style focuses on the grandfather's personality, daily routines, humor, and distinctive habits.

Walter "Walt" Joseph Higgins lived 79 years with a cup of black coffee in his hand and a story ready for anyone who stood still long enough to listen. Walt died on March 3, 2026, at his home in Spokane, Washington, with his dog Buster at his feet.

Born in Butte, Montana, on August 19, 1946, Walt inherited his father's stubborn work ethic and his mother's dry wit. He spent four decades as a commercial painter, leaving his mark on hundreds of buildings across eastern Washington. If you drove through Spokane with Walt, he would point out every exterior he had ever prepped, scraped, and painted, usually accompanied by an opinion on the owner's color choice.

In 1971, Walt married Linda Carlson. They spent 48 years side by side, camping along the St. Joe River, hosting chaotic Thanksgiving dinners, and tending to an ever-expanding rose garden until Linda passed away in 2019.

Walt was built for grandfatherhood. He taught four grandchildren how to skip stones, change a flat tire, and make grilled cheese sandwiches using entirely too much butter. He kept a drawer in his garage filled with assorted candy that parents were never told about, and his advice was simple: tell the truth, keep your tires inflated, and never leave an honest day's work unfinished.

Surviving Walt are his daughter, Rachel (Jason) Keller; his son, Daniel Higgins; his four grandchildren, Sam, Maya, Owen, and Reese; his companion of recent years, Margaret Nelson; and his brother, Gerald (Nancy) Higgins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, and his sister, Eileen.

Family and friends will gather for a casual remembrance on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Manito Park Meeting Room in Spokane. Flannel shirts and work boots are welcomed. Memorial contributions may be made to SpokAnimal Care.

Faith-centered obituary example

For a grandfather whose daily life, community work, and family traditions revolved around his church or religious faith.

Deacon Robert Lee Vance, 85, of Macon, Georgia, went home to be with his Lord on November 29, 2025.

Robert was born on May 15, 1940, in Bibb County to Jesse and Lula Vance. He was baptized at an early age at Grace Community Church, where he remained an active, faithful member for over seven decades. Robert served as a deacon, Sunday school superintendent, and sang tenor in the male chorus.

He was employed as an equipment operator with the county public works department for 35 years until his retirement in 2002. Robert was known throughout his neighborhood for his quiet generosity, often repairing neighbors' lawnmowers, sharing produce from his collard patch, and offering prayers for anyone facing illness or hardship.

To his grandchildren, "Granddaddy Vance" was a pillar of stability and warmth. He taught them Bible verses on his front porch, led Sunday dinner blessings with humility, and showed them what faithful devotion looked like through every season of life.

Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Christine (née Jackson) Vance; his children, Pastor Anthony (Monica) Vance, Kimberly Vance, and Marcus (Evelyn) Vance; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Jenkins and Dorothy Vance. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, William and James Vance.

A celebration of life and faith will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Grace Community Church in Macon. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Celebration of life obituary example

When the family wants an uplifting tone that emphasizes joy, humor, and a gathering of remembrance rather than a solemn service.

Marcus Daniel Thorne was not a fan of quiet rooms or dark suits. Marcus died on April 11, 2026, at age 74 in Fort Collins, Colorado, having lived an active, full life right up to his final weeks.

Born on July 22, 1951, in Boulder, Marcus spent his career as a high school earth science teacher in the county school district. He inspired thousands of students to look at riverbeds, rock faces, and storm clouds with genuine curiosity. Outside the classroom, he was a cyclist who conquered mountain passes, a backyard barbecue master, and an acoustic guitarist whose repertoire favored John Prine and vintage bluegrass.

As "Grandpa Marc," he was the family's chief adventure planner. He organized annual camping trips to Rocky Mountain National Park, constructed an elaborate backyard treehouse with his grandsons, and was always the first person in the river on hot July afternoons.

Marcus is survived by his partner, Deborah Ortiz; his children, Jesse (Kendra) Thorne and Natalie (Craig) Simmons; his four cherished grandchildren, Leo, Miles, Harper, and Sadie; and his former wife and dear friend, Karen Thorne.

Per his clear instructions, there will be no solemn funeral. Instead, a celebration of Marcus's life will take place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the North College Pavilions in Fort Collins. Guests are encouraged to wear casual clothing or cycling jerseys. In honor of Marcus, take a walk outside, listen to good music, or make a contribution to the Colorado 14ers Initiative.

Writing tips

Writing about a grandfather requires balancing broad milestones with specific character details. Keep these practical suggestions in mind:

• Gather records before writing: Collect his birth date, marriage date, military discharge papers (Form DD-214), and accurate dates of passing for predeceased relatives. Having these documents on hand prevents stress and mid-writing delays.
• Ask the grandchildren for one specific memory: Reach out to your siblings or cousins and ask, "What is one phrase, object, or habit you will always associate with Grandpa?" Incorporating details like his pocketknife, his peppermint candies, or his phrase before starting the car brings the obituary to life.
• Confirm spellings with every branch of the family: Check the spelling of names for every child-in-law, grandchild, and sibling. It is easy to misspell a relative's name or inadvertently leave out an infant great-grandchild when you are rushing to meet a press deadline.
• Keep military and professional ranks accurate: If your grandfather served in the military or spent decades in a trade union or public service, check that you have his branch, rank, and union local stated correctly. Older generations took immense pride in these formal titles.
• Read the draft aloud: Reading the text out loud helps you catch clumsy transitions, run-on sentences, and missing prepositions. It also confirms whether the tone sounds like the man you actually knew.

Common questions

How much does it cost to publish an obituary in the newspaper?

Costs vary significantly depending on the publication. Rates vary widely from paper to paper. Major metropolitan dailies generally charge significantly more than local community weeklies, and adding a photo or running the notice for multiple days will increase the total. Some papers charge by the word, line, or column inch, while others charge flat fees for predetermined lengths. Always check the newspaper's rate card or ask the funeral home for their local publishing rates before submitting a long draft.

Where should we publish our grandfather's obituary?

Most families publish in the newspaper of the town where their grandfather currently lived, as well as the newspaper of his hometown or the city where he spent the bulk of his career. In addition to printed papers, almost all funeral homes host an online obituary page on their website at no extra charge. You can also share the digital version on local community boards, church bulletins, and social media platforms.

How long should a grandfather's obituary be?

For a print newspaper where space is billed by line or word, aim for 150 to 250 words. For digital platforms, funeral home websites, and memorial programs, 300 to 500 words is standard. This length allows you to outline his background, list family members completely, and include several meaningful personal anecdotes without overwhelming readers.

Should we include the cause of death?

Including the cause of death is entirely a family decision. Phrases like "passed away peacefully after a brief illness," "died from complications of Alzheimer's disease," or "passed away surrounded by family" are common. If your family prefers privacy, you do not need to mention the cause at all. Simply stating that he "passed away on [date]" is completely standard and widely accepted.