How to Write a Military Obituary

Writing an obituary is not an easy task, especially for a loved one. Since the obituary will detail the life and accomplishments of the deceased, it should remain positive and uplifting. When writing an obituary for someone that was in the military, make sure to list the branch, tour of duty and any special awards.

• Notify the newspaper. Inform the newspaper that the deceased was military. Oftentimes even though there are space restrictions on an obituary, these are  usually lifted for military personnel.


• Include the branch. List the branch of the military that the deceased served in as well as the rank.


• Include special awards. If the deceased served in a war, list the tours of duty, the primary duty station, as well as any special awards, honors or medals that were earned.


• Do not include the cause of death. This is usually not included in a military obituary due to the nature of the work.


• Include the family members. Include the spouse first, then children, mother, siblings and additional family members in that order. 


• Mention additional affiliations. If the deceased served on any boards or was a member of any other organizations outside of the military, these should be included.


• Add a short biography. This section should include date of birth, location of birth and names of the parents. Include the educational history. Depending upon the age at the time of death, the educational history can be detailed or brief. Also include any hobbies that the deceased may have enjoyed. This section may also include any members of the family that preceded the person in death.


• Include information on the ceremony. List the date, time and location of the ceremony. If there will be any special viewings or family night, include this information as well.