The Tribute Journal
Celebration of Life Obituary: 8 Examples to Copy
A celebration of life obituary is an obituary written for a celebration of life rather than a traditional funeral. It is warmer and more personal, it often invites people to a gathering held weeks or months later, and it gives everyone permission to smile while they remember. Below are eight examples to start from.
These gatherings are more common than they used to be. With cremation now the more common choice in the US, as tracked by the Cremation Association of North America and the National Funeral Directors Association, there is often no body to bury and no reason to rush, so families plan a celebration when everyone can travel.
How it differs from a traditional obituary
- The tone is warmer. It is fine, even expected, to include humor, nicknames and the things that made people laugh.
- The life story leads. Personality, passions and quirks come before the formal list of family.
- The event may be weeks away. It often says "a celebration of life will be held in the spring" rather than giving a date in three days.
- It invites rather than announces. Dress codes, potlucks, "bring a story" and "wear their favorite color" are all common.
What to include
- Full name, nickname, age, city and the date they died
- A paragraph on who they were and what they loved
- The family they leave
- The gathering: date, time and venue, or "details to follow"
- Anything guests should know: dress, food, whether children are welcome, an RSVP
- Donation wishes, if any. See our in lieu of flowers wording
1. Short and simple
Daniel James Porter, 66, of Boise, Idaho, died on September 14, 2026. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 3, at 2 p.m. at the riverside park he walked every morning. Come as you are, and bring a story about Dan.
2. Warm and funny
Frank "Frankie" DeLuca, 79, of Cleveland, Ohio, left us on September 8, 2026, still convinced the Browns would win it all next year.
Frankie was a mailman for 31 years, which meant he knew every dog, every porch and every bit of neighborhood gossip in a six-mile radius. He told the same five jokes for half a century and laughed hardest at every one of them. He made the best meatballs on the east side and would tell you so.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marie; his children, Tony, Gina and Paul; and seven grandchildren who learned all five jokes.
Please join us for a celebration of Frankie's life on Sunday, September 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the VFW hall on his old route. There will be food, music and probably a few bad jokes. Wear brown and orange.
3. For a mother
Susan Marie Whitaker, 69, of Portland, Oregon, died peacefully on September 11, 2026, with her family beside her.
Susan was a nurse for forty years and a mother for even longer. She grew the best tomatoes in the neighborhood, read three books a week and never once let her children leave the house without a snack. Her laugh carried across any room, and her door was always open.
She is survived by her husband, Greg; her children, Megan and Josh; and her grandchildren, Ava and Leo.
Instead of a funeral, Susan asked for a party. Family and friends are invited to celebrate her life on Saturday, October 17, at 3 p.m. at the city rose garden. Bring your favorite memory of her and wear something bright.
There are ten more in our obituary for a mother examples.
4. For a father
Raymond Earl Jackson, 74, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on September 5, 2026.
Ray could fix anything with an engine and most things without one. He spent thirty years as a mechanic, coached Little League for twenty, and spent every free weekend on a fishing boat on Lake Norman, usually with a grandchild in tow and a cooler full of sandwiches.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria; his sons, Marcus and Darren; his daughter, Tanya; and nine grandchildren.
A celebration of Ray's life will be held on Saturday, September 26, at noon at the lakeside pavilion on Lake Norman. Dress casual. He would want you comfortable.
5. Gathering at a later date
Eleanor Grace Mitchell, 88, of Burlington, Vermont, died on September 19, 2026.
Eleanor was a librarian, a hiker and a lifelong letter writer who kept up correspondence with friends on four continents. She climbed Mount Mansfield on her 80th birthday and was annoyed it took her an extra hour.
She is survived by her son, Peter; her daughter, Claire; and five grandchildren.
Eleanor has been cremated, and a celebration of her life will be held in the spring, when friends from far away can travel and the trails are open. Details will be shared here and with family and friends as soon as they are set.
6. An outdoor gathering
Michael Thomas Reyes, 52, of San Diego, California, died on September 16, 2026, after a brief illness.
Mike was a firefighter, a surfer and the friend you called at 2 a.m. He spent his days off in the water at Pacific Beach and his evenings at the grill, cooking for whoever showed up.
He is survived by his wife, Laura; his children, Mateo and Isabella; his parents, Tom and Rosa; and the brothers and sisters of Station 21.
A paddle-out and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 3, at 9 a.m. at the pier in Pacific Beach, followed by a gathering on the sand. Surfers, swimmers and spectators are all welcome.
7. Private service, public celebration
Catherine Anne Holloway, 83, of Nashville, Tennessee, died on September 7, 2026.
Cathy was a church organist for fifty years, a piano teacher to three generations of Nashville children and a woman who believed every occasion could be improved by a hymn and a casserole.
She is survived by her children, David, Mary and Elizabeth; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William.
A private family burial will be held. All who knew and loved her are invited to a celebration of her life on Sunday, September 27, at 3 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Hillcrest United Methodist Church, with music, of course.
8. Non-religious, life-story style
Jordan Alexander Price, 45, of Austin, Texas, died on September 13, 2026.
Jordan was an engineer by trade and a musician at heart. He played bass in three bands, none of them famous, all of them loud. He built furniture, brewed questionable beer, and was the person every friend called when they were moving apartments.
He is survived by his partner, Sam; his mother, Linda; his sister, Rachel; and his dog, Biscuit.
There will be no service. Instead, friends are invited to a celebration of Jordan's life on Friday, October 2, from 7 p.m. at his favorite music venue on South Congress, where several of his bandmates will play. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity that supports musicians' mental health.
Writing tips
- Let the personality show. If they were funny, the obituary can be funny. If they were quiet and kind, say so plainly.
- Give practical details clearly. A warm tone is no excuse for a missing time or venue. Check them twice.
- Say what kind of gathering it is. "Casual", "potluck", "family-friendly" or "bring a story" helps guests know what to expect.
- Plan the program early. A printed program gives a celebration its shape. Our guide to the celebration of life program shows what to put in it.
Common questions
What is a celebration of life obituary?
An obituary written for a celebration of life instead of a traditional funeral. It tells the person's story in a warmer, more personal voice and invites people to a gathering, which is often held weeks or months after the death, especially after cremation.
How is a celebration of life obituary different from a regular obituary?
The tone is lighter and more personal, the life story comes before the formal family list, and the event details often include things a funeral would not: a dress code, a potluck, a request to bring a story, or a date set months away.
Can a celebration of life be held months later?
Yes. After cremation there is no need to rush, so many families wait until relatives can travel or the season suits an outdoor gathering. The obituary can say a celebration will be held later and that details will follow.
Can an obituary be funny?
Yes, if the person was. Humor is common in celebration of life obituaries and often captures someone better than formal language. Keep the practical details clear and let the jokes be theirs, not at anyone's expense.
Should I put the home address in the obituary?
No. AARP warns that burglars use obituaries to find houses that will be empty during a service. If the celebration is at the family home, say so without the address and share it with guests directly.
What should I wear to a celebration of life?
Whatever the family asks for. Many celebrations request bright colors, casual clothes or the person's favorite color. If the obituary says nothing, smart casual is a safe choice.
