Writing an obituary for your mother is one of the most deeply personal things you will ever be asked to do. In the midst of grief, you are tasked with distilling an entire lifetime of love, sacrifice, laughter, and wisdom into a few hundred words. It can feel impossible. But here is the truth: there is no wrong way to honor the woman who shaped your life.

This guide provides obituary examples for a mother in several different styles, along with templates, wording suggestions, and practical advice to help you through the process. Whether you are looking for a traditional mother obituary sample or something more personal and modern, you will find a starting point here. And if you need a more general overview of the process, our complete guide on how to write an obituary covers every step in detail.

Why a Mother's Obituary Matters

A mother's obituary is more than a death announcement. It is a portrait of someone who was, for many people, the center of the family. It tells the community who she was, what she loved, how she spent her days, and who she leaves behind. For her children, writing it is both an act of love and a first step in the long process of remembering her well.

The obituary will be read by family, friends, former colleagues, neighbors, and sometimes people your mother touched in ways you never knew about. It may be the only written account of her life that survives for future generations. That is why it deserves your care and attention, even when you feel least able to give it.

What to Include in an Obituary for Mom

Every obituary is unique, but there are core elements that most readers expect. Here is a checklist of what to consider including when writing an obituary for your mother.

Element Details & Tips
Full name Include her legal name, maiden name, and any nicknames she was known by. Many mothers went by a name different from their legal first name.
Dates of birth and death Include the full dates and places for both. Age at death is customary but optional.
Manner of passing A brief, dignified phrase such as "passed away peacefully," "after a courageous battle," or "surrounded by family." Specific cause of death is optional.
Family members List those she is survived by (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings) and those who preceded her in death. This section matters enormously to families.
Life story highlights Education, career, volunteer work, military service, church involvement, or community roles. Highlight what she was most proud of.
Her personality and passions This is what makes the obituary come alive. Was she a gardener, a baker, a reader? Did she tell the best stories? Did she never miss a grandchild's recital?
Her role as a mother Be specific. Rather than "devoted mother," describe how she showed that devotion: the notes in lunchboxes, the late-night talks, the way she always knew what you needed before you did.
Service details Date, time, and location of the funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. Include visitation information if applicable.
Memorial donations If the family prefers donations over flowers, provide the charity name and any relevant instructions.

What to Leave Out

Knowing what not to include is just as important as knowing what to write. An obituary is a public tribute, and it should honor your mother's memory with dignity.

  • Family conflicts or estrangements. An obituary is not the place to air grievances or settle scores. Keep the focus on honoring her life.
  • Graphic medical details. You can mention a long illness without describing its specifics. "After a courageous battle with cancer" is sufficient.
  • Financial information. Never include details about her estate, assets, or inheritance in the obituary.
  • Information she would not have wanted shared. Consider what your mother would have been comfortable with the world knowing. When in doubt, leave it out.
  • Exact home address. For security reasons, use only the city and state of residence rather than a full street address.

4 Obituary Examples for a Mother

The following mother obituary samples illustrate different styles and lengths. Use these as inspiration, borrowing structure and phrasing that feels right, and adapting the details to honor your own mother's life.

Example 1: Traditional Obituary for a Mother

This style follows the classic structure that readers expect from a newspaper obituary. It is formal, respectful, and comprehensive.

Margaret Ann Williams (nee Hoffman), 81, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on September 4, 1944, in Roanoke, Virginia, to the late Henry and Dorothy Hoffman, Margaret graduated from Jefferson High School in 1962 and went on to earn her nursing degree from the Medical College of Virginia. She dedicated 35 years of her career to pediatric nursing at Richmond Children's Hospital, where she was beloved by the families she served and respected by her colleagues for her calm, compassionate care.

On June 18, 1966, Margaret married the love of her life, Thomas Williams, and together they built a home filled with warmth, faith, and laughter. She was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school for more than two decades, and organized the annual Christmas bazaar.

Margaret was a dedicated mother who never missed a school play, a soccer game, or a chance to remind her children how proud she was of them. Her grandchildren knew her as "Mimi," and she treasured every moment spent with them, whether baking her famous apple pie, reading bedtime stories, or cheering from the stands.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Thomas; her children, David Williams (Sarah) of Charlotte, Karen Mitchell (James) of Richmond, and Susan Blake (Robert) of Alexandria; her seven grandchildren, Emily, Andrew, Claire, Thomas, Grace, Lily, and Owen; her sister, Dorothy Reynolds of Roanoke; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Henry Hoffman Jr.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Children's Hospital Foundation of Richmond.

Example 2: Warm and Personal Obituary for a Mother

This style breaks from the formal template to let the mother's personality lead. It reads more like a tribute written from the heart.

If you ever had the privilege of being welcomed into Rosa Elena Gutierrez's kitchen, you already know that she showed love through food. The tamales at Christmas. The pozole on cold evenings. The birthday cakes she made from scratch for every child, grandchild, and neighbor kid who happened to be around. Rosa, 74, of San Antonio, Texas, died on February 3, 2026, and the world is a quieter, less flavorful place without her.

Rosa was born on March 22, 1951, in Laredo, Texas, the eldest of six children born to Manuel and Esperanza Delgado. She married Carlos Gutierrez in 1971, and together they raised four children in a small house on Magnolia Street that always seemed to have room for one more plate at the table.

She worked for 28 years as an office manager at Alamo Insurance, where she was the person everyone went to when they needed something done. After retirement, she devoted herself fully to what she called her "real job": being Abuela. She attended every quinceañera rehearsal, every baseball game, every school award ceremony. She kept a refrigerator covered in report cards and drawings, and she could tell you the name of every one of her grandchildren's friends.

Rosa is survived by her children, Carlos Jr. (Maria), Ana Flores (David), Isabella Torres (Miguel), and Sofia Gutierrez; her twelve grandchildren; her sisters, Lucia, Carmen, and Elena; and more extended family and friends than could fit in any church. She was preceded in death by her husband Carlos, her parents, and her brothers, Manuel Jr. and Diego.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 8, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. All are welcome. Bring your appetite and a story about Rosa. She would have wanted both.

Example 3: Brief Obituary for a Mother

Sometimes a shorter obituary is needed for newspaper publication, budget reasons, or simply because your family prefers simplicity. A brief obituary can still be meaningful.

Patricia Joan Murphy, 68, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on March 9, 2026, after a brave battle with ovarian cancer. Born on November 15, 1957, Pat was a retired elementary school librarian who believed every child deserved a good book and someone who listened. She was a gentle, steady presence in the lives of all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Brian Murphy (Christine) of Columbus; her daughter, Megan Murphy-Chen (David) of Dayton; and four grandchildren, Jack, Nora, Lily, and Owen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kevin, and her parents, Joseph and Eleanor Quinn.

A private family service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dayton Metro Library Foundation.

Example 4: Detailed and Celebratory Obituary for a Mother

This longer, more detailed example works well for an online memorial or when the family wants to share a fuller picture of who their mother was.

Dr. Helen Marie Chang, 77, of Portland, Oregon, passed away at home on January 28, 2026, surrounded by her family, her two cats, and the sound of Chopin playing softly in the background, exactly as she would have wanted.

Helen was born on August 14, 1948, in Taipei, Taiwan, to James and Mei-Ling Chang. The family immigrated to the United States in 1956, settling in San Francisco, where Helen's parents opened a small grocery store that became a neighborhood institution. Helen was a gifted student who earned a scholarship to UC Berkeley, where she studied biology, and later completed her medical degree at UCSF.

She practiced family medicine in Portland for more than 40 years, and her patients were not just patients. They were people she remembered by name, whose children's milestones she celebrated, whose hands she held through hard diagnoses. She retired in 2020 but could never quite stop being a doctor. She was still the person her neighbors called when a child had a fever or when someone needed advice on whether a trip to the emergency room was warranted.

In 1978, Helen married Peter Johansen, an architect whose quiet temperament was the perfect complement to her boundless energy. Together they raised three children in a craftsman home they renovated together, room by room, over the course of many years and many good-natured arguments about paint colors.

Helen was a woman of wide-ranging passions. She was an accomplished pianist who played for her own enjoyment nearly every evening. She was an avid hiker who summited Mount Hood three times and who introduced each of her children to the Pacific Crest Trail before they turned twelve. She volunteered with Doctors Without Borders twice, traveling to Haiti and Nepal. She was a voracious reader, a terrible but enthusiastic painter, and the kind of cook who could transform leftovers into something extraordinary.

As a mother, Helen led by example. She taught her children that curiosity was a form of kindness, that hard work was its own reward, and that the most important thing you could do for another person was to truly listen. Her children, now adults, say she was the first person they called with good news and the first person they called when things fell apart.

Helen is survived by her husband of 47 years, Peter Johansen; her children, Dr. James Johansen (Rebecca) of Seattle, Anna Johansen-Park (Soo-Min) of Portland, and Elizabeth Johansen of New York City; her grandchildren, Maya, Oliver, Sophie, and Liam; her sister, Grace Chang-Liu of San Francisco; and her beloved cats, Mingus and Coltrane.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 2:00 PM at the Portland Japanese Garden, a place Helen loved deeply. The family requests no flowers. Instead, take a walk somewhere beautiful, call someone you love, or donate to Doctors Without Borders in Helen's name.

Create a Lasting Memorial for Mom

An obituary captures a moment, but a Farewelling Memorial Page preserves her memory for years to come. Share photos, stories, and tributes from everyone whose life she touched, all in one beautiful, permanent space.

Create a free memorial page for your mother →

Fill-in-the-Blank Obituary Template for Mom

If you are staring at a blank page and do not know where to begin, this mom obituary template gives you a framework. Simply fill in the blanks with your mother's information and adjust the wording to match her personality and your family's style.

[Full Name], (nee [Maiden Name]), [age], of [City, State], passed away [peacefully / suddenly / after a long illness] on [Date of Death] at [Location — hospital, home, hospice].

Born on [Date of Birth] in [City, State] to [Father's Name] and [Mother's Name], [First Name] grew up in [location] and graduated from [High School Name]. She [went on to earn a degree in ___ from ___ / entered the workforce / devoted herself to raising her family].

On [Wedding Date], she married [Spouse's Name], and together they [built a life in ___ / raised ___ children / shared ___ years of marriage]. [First Name] was known for [two or three personality traits — her warmth, her humor, her fierce devotion to her family].

She spent her career as a [job title] at [company or organization], where she [brief description of her impact or role]. After retirement, she [how she spent her later years — volunteering, traveling, spending time with grandchildren].

[First Name] loved [list hobbies and passions — gardening, reading, cooking, traveling, playing cards with friends]. She was a member of [church, clubs, organizations]. Above all, she cherished time with her family, especially [specific detail about how she spent time with children or grandchildren].

She is survived by [list of survivors with relationships]. She was preceded in death by [list of predeceased family members].

A [funeral service / memorial service / celebration of life] will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Location]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests [memorial donations to ___ / that you share a favorite memory of her / that you perform an act of kindness in her name].

You are welcome to rearrange these sections, add more personal anecdotes, or remove anything that does not apply. This template is a starting point, not a rigid formula. For additional guidance on structuring the content, see our full obituary writing guide.

Tips for Writing Your Mother's Obituary

Having a template or example is helpful, but the hardest part of writing an obituary for your mom is often emotional, not structural. Here are some practical tips to guide you through the process.

Gather input from others

You do not have to write this alone. Ask siblings, your other parent, your mother's friends, or her coworkers to share their favorite memories or descriptions of her. You may discover stories you never heard, and their words may help you find yours.

Be specific, not generic

The difference between a forgettable obituary and one that makes people smile through their tears is specificity. Instead of "she loved cooking," try "she made her famous chicken and dumplings every Sunday, and there was never a pot big enough." Instead of "she was a wonderful mother," describe what made her wonderful in ways only your family would know.

Write how she would have spoken

If your mother was casual and humorous, the obituary can reflect that. If she was dignified and formal, honor that tone. The best obituaries sound like the person they are about.

Include her role as a mother, specifically

This may seem obvious, but many obituaries list "devoted mother" as one item in a long list and move on. If you are her child, this is likely the most important thing she was to you. Give it the space it deserves. What kind of mother was she? How did she show love? What did she teach you that you carry with you every day?

Do not rush

If the newspaper or funeral home needs the obituary quickly, write a short version for the deadline and take more time with a longer version for the online memorial or the service program. The words you craft with care will be the ones your family returns to.

Read it aloud before publishing

Reading the obituary aloud helps you catch awkward phrasing, spot errors, and hear whether the tone feels right. It can be emotional, but it is the best way to ensure the obituary sounds the way you want it to.

If you are also preparing to speak at your mother's service, our guide on how to write a eulogy for your mother offers additional guidance on turning your memories into words that honor her.

Honoring Mom Beyond the Obituary

The obituary is an important first step, but it is only one way to honor your mother's memory. Consider these additional ways to create a lasting tribute.

  • Create an online memorial page. A Farewelling Memorial Page gives family and friends a permanent place to share photos, leave messages, and revisit memories. Unlike a newspaper obituary, it grows over time as more people contribute.
  • Personalize the funeral or memorial service. The service itself is an opportunity to reflect who your mother truly was. Our guide to personalizing a funeral service offers ideas for readings, music, and meaningful touches that go beyond the standard format.
  • Write a eulogy. If you are speaking at the service, a thoughtful eulogy allows you to share stories and reflections in a way that an obituary cannot. See our mother eulogy writing guide for help getting started.
  • Establish a memorial tradition. Many families honor a mother's memory by continuing something she loved: planting her favorite flowers each spring, making her signature recipe on holidays, or donating annually to a cause she cared about.

Keep Her Memory Alive

A Farewelling Memorial Page lets you gather photos, stories, and tributes from everyone who loved your mother in one beautiful, permanent place. Family and friends can contribute from anywhere in the world, and the page remains online for as long as you need it.

Start a free memorial page today →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an obituary for a mother be?

There is no required length. A newspaper obituary typically runs 150 to 300 words due to space and cost constraints. An online obituary can be any length, and many families write 500 to 1,000 words to include more personal stories and details. The right length is whatever allows you to honor her life in a way that feels complete. A brief obituary published in the newspaper can be paired with a longer, more detailed tribute shared on an online memorial page.

Who should write the obituary for Mom?

Most often, an adult child writes the obituary, sometimes in collaboration with siblings or the surviving parent. However, there are no rules. A close friend, a niece or nephew, or even a professional obituary writer can do it. The most important thing is that whoever writes it knew her well enough to capture her personality and spirit, or is willing to gather input from those who did. Our guide to writing an obituary can help anyone through the process.

Should I include the cause of death in my mother's obituary?

This is entirely your family's decision. Some families include the cause of death, particularly when it was a well-known illness, when the family wants to raise awareness, or when they wish to direct memorial donations to a related charity. Others prefer a general phrase like "after a long illness" or "passed away peacefully." There is no right or wrong choice. Consider what your mother would have wanted and what feels appropriate for your family.

Can I write a funny or lighthearted obituary for my mother?

Absolutely. If your mother had a great sense of humor, reflecting that in her obituary is one of the most authentic ways to honor her. Some of the most widely shared and beloved obituaries include humor, warmth, and personality. The key is to be genuine. If it sounds like something she would have laughed at or approved of, it belongs. Just be mindful that other family members may have different comfort levels, so it is worth discussing the tone beforehand.

What if I cannot find the right words?

Grief makes writing difficult. If you are struggling, start by simply listing facts and memories without worrying about how they sound. Write down her full name, her birthday, the things she loved, the people she cared about, and one or two stories that make you smile. Once you have the raw material, you can shape it into an obituary using the template above or one of the examples in this guide. You can also ask a family member or friend to help you edit, or start with a Farewelling Memorial Page where you can build the tribute over time.

Where should I publish my mother's obituary?

Common options include the local newspaper, the funeral home's website, an online memorial platform, or a combination of these. Many families publish a shorter version in the newspaper for the local announcement and a longer, more personal version online where there are no space or cost limitations. An online memorial page also allows others to leave condolences and share their own memories, creating a richer and more lasting tribute.