How Long Should an Obituary Be? Word Count Guide by Format

The Short Answer: It Depends on Where It's Going

There's no universal word count for obituaries, but the format dictates the practical range:

• Newspaper print obituary: 150–300 words. Most papers charge by the line ($2–$20 per line depending on the market), so every sentence has a dollar cost. A 200-word notice in a mid-market daily typically runs $200–$500.
• Funeral home website or online memorial: 400–800 words. No per-word cost, so you can include the biographical detail and personal stories that print can't justify.
• Funeral program insert: 200–400 words. Must fit a half-page or single page in the printed program alongside service details, photos, and scripture or readings.
• Social media announcement: 100–200 words. Facebook, Instagram, and group chats favor brevity. Link to the full obituary rather than posting the entire text.

Why Shorter Print Obituaries Are Usually Better

Grief makes writing expansive. The instinct is to include everything — every nickname, every career milestone, every surviving cousin. But print obituary readers scan quickly, and the facts they need are simple: who died, when the service is, and where to send flowers or donations.

A 150-word print notice that covers the essentials clearly will reach more people than a 500-word narrative that buries the service details in paragraph four. Save the storytelling for the eulogy and the online memorial, where length is free and readers have chosen to spend time.

How to Hit the Right Length

Start with the required elements. Full name, age, city, date of death, survivors, and service details. This core runs 80–120 words before you add a single biographical sentence.

Add one paragraph of life context. Where they were born, their education or military service, their career, and the thing they were most known for. One focused paragraph — not a resume. This adds 60–100 words.

End with memorial contributions or a redirect. "In lieu of flowers, donations to [organization]" or "Full obituary at [URL]." This is 15–30 words.

That structure lands you at 155–250 words — right in the newspaper sweet spot.

If you're writing for an online platform where length is free, expand the life context into two or three paragraphs. Add a personal anecdote, a signature phrase, or a note about what they valued. This brings the piece to 400–600 words without padding.

When an Obituary Is Too Long

An obituary is too long when it starts repeating the same sentiment in different words, when survivors are listed with biographical detail of their own, or when the writer includes extended family members the deceased hadn't spoken to in decades. These additions don't honor the deceased — they create conflict and inflate the printing bill.

If you're struggling to cut, apply this test: would the deceased have included this detail about themselves? If the answer is no, cut it.

When an Obituary Is Too Short

A two-sentence death notice ("John Smith, 74, died September 15. Services are pending.") handles the basic public announcement function but misses the commemorative one entirely. If the family wants any public tribute at all, adding even 50 words of context — birthplace, career, and one personal detail — transforms a notice into an obituary.

The Secure Obituary Writing System includes a structured worksheet that walks you through each required element in order, so you capture everything that matters without overwriting or leaving gaps. The security audit flags personal details that shouldn't appear in any format — protecting the estate while you honor the life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 500 words too long for a newspaper obituary?

For most newspapers, yes — 500 words will cost significantly more than a standard notice and may exceed the paper's preferred length for classified obituaries. If you have 500 words of content, publish the full version online and run a 150–200 word summary in print with a link to the complete text.

How long should a child's obituary be?

There's no minimum. A brief notice of 100–150 words is common and appropriate. Focus on the child's name, family, and any service details. Adding a single personal detail — a favorite toy, a laugh that filled the room — is enough to make the notice personal without forcing an extended biography for a short life.