Obituary Examples for a Father
Short and longer obituary samples helping you write with warmth and clarity.
Writing an obituary can feel daunting when emotions are still raw. These obituary examples for a father offer gentle guidance — showing how short and longer samples can express love, gratitude, and a sense of who they were.
Each sample obituary is written with care to help you share their story clearly and sincerely. Whether you’re preparing a short notice or a fuller tribute, you’ll find inspiration here to help you write with warmth, balance, and a personal touch.
Short Obituary Examples for a Father
These short obituary samples for a father are simple, clear, and heartfelt — ideal for printed notices, funeral programs, or online announcements.
💬 If you’d like a little more step-by-step help before exploring the samples, our guide on how to write an obituary offers practical advice and structure to help you begin.
🕊️ Short Obituary Example 1 – Traditional and Factual
Robert James Bennett, aged 77, passed away peacefully on 9 April 2024, surrounded by family.
A devoted husband to Margaret and proud father of Daniel and Kate, Robert was known for integrity and steady kindness.
He spent his career in engineering and loved mentoring younger colleagues. Weekends were for walking, tinkering in the shed, and cheering his grandchildren.
He will be missed by his family and friends.
A service of thanksgiving will be held at St Michael’s Church on 16 April 2024 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Macmillan Cancer Support in his memory.
🕊️ Short Obituary Example 2 – Personal and Warm
Our beloved dad, Anthony “Tony” Clarke, passed away on 3 March 2024 at the age of 81.
Tony’s laughter, stories, and patient advice shaped our lives.
He loved Sunday roasts, fixing anything with a screwdriver, and singing along to 60s records in the kitchen.
He taught us to be kind, work hard, and look out for one another.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Tony’s life at Oakview Chapel on 10 March 2024 at noon, followed by tea and memories at his home. We carry his humour and generosity forward, always grateful for every lesson and every hug shared.
🕊️ Short Obituary Example 3 – Faith-Based and Uplifting
David Emmanuel Okoye, 69, went home to be with the Lord on 21 January 2024.
A devoted father, grandfather, and friend, David lived with faith, humility, and service.
He led prayers at New Hope Church, visited the sick, and found joy in singing hymns on quiet evenings.
His words of encouragement lifted many hearts. He is survived by his children, Grace and Michael, and four grandchildren.
A home-going service will be held at New Hope Church on 29 January 2024 at 11 a.m., with family receiving friends afterward. We give thanks for his life and the example he leaves behind.
🕊️ Short Obituary Example 4 – Modern and Reflective
Samuel “Sam” Patel, 58, passed away unexpectedly on 15 June 2024.
Curious, creative, and encouraging, Sam was the friend everyone called for advice and a cup of coffee.
He built a career in IT, loved cycling by the river, and never missed a school play.
He volunteered at the community centre, fixing laptops and teaching beginners with patience. His children, Maya and Arjun, were his proudest achievement.
A memorial gathering will be held at Riverside Hall on 22 June 2024 at 2 p.m. to share stories and music. Sam’s open mind, gentle humour, and steady support will be remembered, always.
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Longer Obituary Examples for a Father
These longer obituary samples for a father offer more space to share his story — capturing his character, milestones, and the love he brought to those around him.
🕊️ Longer Obituary Example 1 – Traditional Full Version
James Edward Morgan, aged 84, passed away peacefully on 5 February 2024, surrounded by his family.
A devoted husband to Helen for sixty years and beloved father of Andrew and Rachel, James was admired for his integrity, patience, and dry humour.
Born in Cardiff, he studied mechanical engineering and spent four decades in transport, mentoring apprentices and championing safety.
He loved weekend walks, crossword puzzles, and repairing anything that clicked or whirred.
Sunday dinners were his favourite, with stories told across the table and football on quietly in the background.
James will be missed by his wife, children, five grandchildren, and many friends.
A service of thanksgiving will take place at St David’s Church on 12 February 2024 at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Rosebank Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.
His family is grateful for the compassion shown by the staff at Meadow View Care Home and the neighbours who visited faithfully. He leaves a legacy of leadership, practical wisdom, and a steadfast love of family.
🕊️ Longer Obituary Example 2 – Heartfelt and Family Focussed
Our dad, Peter Alan Wright, passed away on 27 March 2024 at the age of 78.
He was our compass and our champion — the steady presence who showed up for school plays, late-night lifts, and every small success.
Peter grew up in Leeds, met our mum, Carol, at a local dance, and together they built a bustling, welcoming home.
He loved cooking big pots of stew for whoever dropped by, teaching us to ride bikes, and telling terrible jokes that still make us laugh.
In retirement, he tended his vegetable patch and swapped recipes with neighbours.
We’ll miss his bear hugs, careful advice, and the way he made space for everyone around the table.
A celebration of Peter’s life will be held at Rosewood Chapel on 3 April 2024 at noon, with refreshments to follow. In his honour, share a meal with someone who needs company, and tell a story that brings the room together.
His grandchildren knew him as Grandad Fix-It, patient and inventive, and he leaves us gifts of kindness and courage.
🕊️ Longer Obituary Example 3 – Faith and Community Inspired
Benjamin “Ben” Adebayo, 72, went to be with the Lord on 6 September 2024.
A devoted father, grandfather, and deacon at Grace Chapel, Ben served his community with quiet strength and open hands.
He organised food parcels, led midweek prayers, and visited those in hospital, bringing scripture and a warm smile.
At home he loved highlife records, spicy cooking, and evening walks with his neighbours.
He taught his children to walk in faith, to forgive quickly, and to meet each day with gratitude.
Ben is survived by his children, Ada and Joseph, and five grandchildren who adored his stories.
A service of celebration will be held at Grace Chapel on 14 September 2024 at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at Greenfield.
The family welcomes prayers, memories, and acts of kindness in his name as they give thanks for a life faithfully lived. Born in Ibadan, he trained as a teacher and later settled in Manchester, encouraging generations of pupils.
His gentle counsel and ready laugh turned strangers into friends, leaving a lasting legacy of service.
🕊️ Longer Obituary Example 4 – Reflective Life Story
Christopher “Chris” Nguyen, aged 61, passed away unexpectedly on 9 November 2024.
Chris was a loving father, mentor, and friend who believed in doing small things well.
After years as a chef, he opened a neighbourhood café where people felt known and welcome.
He remembered orders, kept a sketchbook of new recipes, and hired students for their first jobs.
Outside work he restored old bicycles, cycled along the canal at dawn, and planned road trips with his children, Ethan and Lily.
He taught them curiosity, courage, and the value of turning up for people.
Chris will be remembered for his generosity, thoughtful questions, and quiet wit.
A memorial service will be held at Meadow View Hall on 18 November 2024 at 2 p.m., with a gathering to follow. Friends are invited to share stories that celebrate the everyday joy he created. Born in Da Nang and raised in London, he bridged cultures with food, humour, and care.
He organised community cook-outs for local charities and quietly paid for meals when someone was struggling at times.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in an obituary for my father?
A clear structure helps: full name, age, date/place of passing, close family (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings), where he lived, work or passions, and a few lines on his character or values. Add service details (time, place) and any memorial preferences (flowers or donations). You don’t have to say everything — choose what feels true and kind.
How long should an obituary be?
Newspaper notices are often 60–120 words, while online obituaries commonly run 150–300+ words — especially when you include key achievements, community roles, or family tributes. Focus less on a target number and more on what matters most: how you want your father to be remembered and where the obituary will appear.
What’s the difference between an obituary and a eulogy or funeral speech?
An obituary is a written announcement that shares essential life details and service information. A eulogy or funeral speech is delivered aloud and usually includes more stories and personal reflections. Many families use both: the obituary to inform and honour, and a spoken tribute to celebrate his life more fully.
Should I include the cause of death?
It’s your choice. Some families prefer privacy; others share the cause to acknowledge illness or raise awareness. If you include it, keep wording brief and respectful (for example, “passed away peacefully after a long illness”). There’s no right or wrong — choose what feels comfortable for your family.
Can I use these obituary examples as they are?
Yes — you can use them directly or personalise with your father’s name, places, favourite interests, and service details. Small touches — a pastime, a phrase he said, a place he loved — make the obituary feel genuine and uniquely his.
Where should I publish or share the obituary?
Common options include a local or national newspaper, a funeral home website, an online memorial page, and social media for wider family and friends. You can also include it in an order of service or frame a printed copy beside a photo and dates as a keepsake.
How do I write when relationships were complicated?
Stay kind and factual. Focus on life milestones, interests, and the respect you wish to convey. You don’t have to include everything. An obituary offers remembrance and closure — choose details that bring dignity and peace to your family.
🕯️ When You’re Ready to Say More, We Can Help
After the obituary comes a harder task — finding the right words to say goodbye at a service.
We can shape a first draft from your memories, ready for you to personalise — or offer gentle guidance on what you’ve already written, so your tribute feels true to you.
Giving you space to grieve, be with loved ones, and focus on arrangements.