Write an Obituary with Ease and Compassion
When someone we love passes away, words often feel impossible. Yet an obituary is more than a notice — it’s a way to honor their life, share their story, and invite others to remember with you.
We created the Obituary Builder to guide you step by step, so you don’t have to face a blank page alone.
What The Obituary Builder Does
In just a few minutes, the Obituary Builder gently gathers the information you want to include, and creates multiple obituary drafts for you to review and edit.
You’ll receive:
- A Standard Obituary (400–600 words) — a full, warm version for websites or programs
- A Newspaper Version (200–250 words) — concise, fact-focused, fits line limits
- A Program Blurb (100–150 words) — for memorial bulletins or keepsakes
- A Social Media Post (50–80 words) — gentle wording for sharing online
Answer just 10 questions and in under 20 minutes you’ll have a polished obituary, ready to share with family, friends, and your funeral director.
How to Write an Obituary with Our Free Builder
- Choose Quick Build for a simple 10-question path, or Thorough Build if you’d like to include stories and personality.
- Review your summary — check names, dates, and spellings.
- Receive multiple obituary drafts you can copy into Word, Google Docs, or Pages to save, edit, and share.
💡 You can skip any question. You can stop at any time. There is no wrong way to do this.
Free Obituary Writing Guide (PDF)
We know that in the middle of grief, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why we created a printable Obituary Writing Guide to go along with the Builder.
Inside, you’ll find:
- A simple checklist of the 5 parts of an obituary
- Editing tips to use ChatGPT to make your words clear and true
- Suggestions for adding stories and personality
- A direct link to launch the Builder whenever you need it
💜 The guide is yours to download and keep, so you’ll always have support at hand.
How to Start
Using the Obituary Builder is simple and free. Here’s what to expect:
- Click the “Launch Obituary Builder” button.
- You’ll be asked to sign in or create a free ChatGPT account.
- A free account is all you need — there is no cost.
- Once signed in, the Builder will gently guide you step by step.
- At the end, you’ll receive obituary drafts you can copy into Word, Google Docs, or Pages to save, edit, print and share with your funeral director.
💡 Tip: If you’re signed in, your drafts will appear in your ChatGPT history so you can come back to them later. You may also delete them anytime.
FAQ
How does the Obituary Builder work?
The Obituary Builder gently guides you through a few simple questions about your loved one. It uses advanced language tools (AI) to shape your answers into obituary drafts in different lengths and formats — from a short newspaper notice to a full tribute for a funeral program. You can then copy and paste these drafts into Word, Google Docs, or Pages to edit, save, and share.
Is the Obituary Builder free?
Yes. This tool is free to use with a ChatGPT account. A free account is all you need — there is no cost to access it.
What if I make a mistake?
You’ll see a summary of your information before the drafts are created. That’s your chance to correct names, dates, or spellings. You can also edit the final drafts as much as you like.
Do you keep or share any data?
Your obituary drafts are created only from the information you provide during your session. We do not share your answers with anyone. When you are signed into your ChatGPT account, your conversation will appear in your personal chat history, where you can revisit or delete it at any time. Nothing is publicly posted.
Do I need to answer every question?
No. You can skip any question that feels too difficult or unnecessary. The Builder will still create drafts from what you choose to share.
Can I create more than one version?
Yes. The Builder automatically creates several versions (standard, newspaper, program, social media), and you can return anytime to make new drafts.
Take a breath. You don’t need to get this perfect. What matters most is capturing the love and legacy of your person in words. We’ll help you shape those words into something meaningful.
While You’re Planning the Service
Writing the obituary is often one of the first steps. If you’re also thinking ahead to the service itself, we have a few simple, heartfelt pieces that can help — created to make the day feel personal without adding to your list of worries:
- Guest book & “Share a Memory” signs — gentle ways to invite guests to leave a note or a story.
- Memory table printables & keepsake designs — to honor who they were and give everyone a place to gather.
- Remembering Together prompt cards — to help family and friends share the memories that matter most.
👉 Browse the full collection at The Funeral Helper on Etsy
Take what helps, and leave the rest. There’s no right way to do this — only your way.
It’s FREE and available anytime you need it.