An obituary for a husband is different from any other, because you are not just recording a life — you are closing a conversation that has been going on for years or decades. You knew him in a way no one else did. That knowledge is exactly what makes your version of his obituary worth more than the most polished professional one.
Many widows and widowers find it helps to begin with the story only they can tell: how you met, what he said, what you thought of him then. "We met at a church picnic in 1974; he spilled lemonade on my mother and somehow still got a second date." Two sentences of real story will carry the whole obituary. From there, the traditional elements — his work, his family, his service, his passions — fall into place naturally.
You will need to decide how to describe yourself. "Beloved husband of [Name] for 43 years" is the traditional form, and "survived by his wife, [Name]" the plainer one. If you were together many years before marriage, or not formally married, "his partner of 31 years" or "his companion" is dignified and increasingly common. Use the words that are true; readers take their cue from your confidence.
One gentle warning from families who have done this before: writing your husband's obituary can be the moment his death becomes real, and it often hits harder than expected. Draft it, walk away, and read it again in a few hours or tomorrow morning. Ask one of your children or a close friend to read it before it goes to the paper — not to change your words, but to catch the dates and spellings grief makes slippery. The templates below give you the frame; the guided writer underneath will assemble a draft from a few questions if the blank page is too much today.
Fill-in-the-blank templates
Copy a template, then replace each [bracketed detail] with your own. Cut anything that doesn’t fit — these are starting points, not rules.
Traditional obituary for a husband
[Full Name], [Age], of [City, State], passed away on [Date], with his wife of [Number] years at his side.
Born [Birth Date] in [Birthplace], he married [Wife's Name] on [Wedding Date], and together they built a life around [family / faith / their farm / their business]. He worked as a [Occupation] for [Number] years [at Company]. [If applicable: He served in the U.S. [Branch] from [Years].] He was happiest [where/how — e.g., "on the water before sunrise" or "at the head of a full dinner table"].
He is survived by his wife, [Name]; his children, [Names, with spouses in parentheses]; his grandchildren, [Names or number]; and [other family]. He was preceded in death by [Names and relationships].
A [funeral / memorial] service will be held at [Time] on [Date] at [Location]. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [Charity].
Short newspaper obituary for a husband
[Last Name], [First Name], [Age], of [City], died [Date]. Beloved husband of [Wife's Name] for [Number] years; devoted father of [Children's Names]; grandfather of [Number]. [Occupation, one phrase]. Services [Time], [Date], [Location]. Memorials to [Charity].
From his wife — a personal obituary
On [Date], I said goodbye to my husband, [Full Name], after [Number] years of marriage that were not nearly enough.
We met [where/how — e.g., "at a dance in 1969, where he stepped on my feet twice and apologized for a week"]. He was [qualities — e.g., "steady, funny, and stubborn in all the right ways"], and he loved [family, passions — e.g., "his children, his tomatoes, and me — I always suspected in that order in August"].
He leaves behind our children, [Names]; our grandchildren, [Names or number]; and a wife who was proud to be his.
Please come remember him with us at [Time] on [Date] at [Location]. He would want you to stay for the food.
Tips for writing a husband’s obituary
Open with the story only you can tell — how you met, or what everyone loved about him.
"Husband of [Name] for [N] years" traditionally leads the survivor list.
Have someone else proofread dates and name spellings — grief makes them slippery.
Include his children and stepchildren the way he counted them, not the way paperwork did.
It is your love story; you are allowed one sentence just for you.
Or let the writer compose it for you
The guided writer below is pre-filled with fictional sample details so you can see how it works — replace them with your husband’s. It composes a complete obituary in your browser, free and private.
Write a husband's obituary
Answer what you can and skip what you can’t — every field is optional. Composed entirely in your browser; nothing you type is uploaded.