It's difficult and painful when your mother dies, and it can be so hard to write an obituary for your mom. You want the world to know what she meant to you, but you don't have a lot of space to do it, so it's hard to know what to include to honor your mom. Our obituary examples for a mother are a good place to start to help you write a touching tribute to the life of the woman who gave you life.
Sample Obituaries for Mothers
Most sample obituary formats follow a standard chronological sequence. An obituary for your mom can deviate from this format and focus on her role as a mom rather than a timeline of her life.
Sample Obituary Tribute to a Mom and Grandmother
An obituary for your mom doesn't have to be super formal. This example gives a good sense of her while showing what was important in her life.
Our beloved mother and grandmother, Alice Smith, died on April 2, 2024, after a short illness. She was 73.
Alice was the heart of our home and family. She raised three children, Ben (35), Kristen (41), and Kelly (44), in a happy and loving home to be independent and thoughtful adults. Alice was married for 48 years to her soulmate, John, who preceded her in death. As a grandmother to Briley (6) and Austin (9), she was the "fun granny," taking the kids on exciting outings, hosting "grandma camp" every summer, and generally spoiling them rotten.
Alice was known for her hearty laugh and kind heart. She was the heart and soul of our family, and she will be dearly missed. At Alice's request, there will be no services, but before she passed she made it known she wanted us all to share a laugh and raise a glass in celebration of her journey home.
Sample Obituary for a Single Mom
Here's an example of an obituary for a single mom that takes a more formal approach.
Elsa Ann Wattsburg, age 45, died in an accident on April 3, 2024. She is survived by her three children, who made up the entirety of her world, Gregory (age 22), Matilda (age 17), and Max (age 13). Elsa was a 1993 graduate of Correl Central School. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Psychology. She was an avid bike rider who enjoyed doing anything outdoors, especially if it was with her kids.
Besides her children, Elsa is survived by her parents, Rob and Cindy Wattsburg, her sister Anna, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Viewings will be held at Trinity Church in Houston on Friday, April 7th from 3 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be held the following day at 11 a.m. Burial services will be private for immediate family, but a potluck lunch will be served for all in the church basement at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations toward Elsa's children's future.
Sample Obituary for a Stay-at-Home Mom
A stay-at-home mom might not have an extensive professional background to list and might prefer a shorter obituary if she didn't like a lot of attention.
Our precious mother, Mary Sue Britten, passed away on Saturday, November 3rd, 2023. She devoted her life to her children, leaving her position as secretary at the village office when her first child was born. Mary Sue never wanted to be the center of attention, so her services will be private for immediate family members only. Friends wishing to honor Mary Sue are invited to make a donation in her name to their local children's hospitals, childcare centers, and motherhood organizations.
Sample Mother Obituary With Poem
Choose a funeral poem for a mom to use as the obituary introduction or obituary poem, then add the standard information.
Your Hug Meant the World
Nobody else held me so tight
Or made me feel so right
No one's eyes shined so bright with love
As my mom, who is now high above.
- Tamsen Butler
The world lost a beloved mother, Jan Kim, on July 25, 2022. Jan battled breast cancer, but it never stopped her from giving out the best hugs. Jan died in her home surrounded by her children, Jeff, Jessie, and Jean. Jan was born in Maytown, MO on December 2, 1968. She claims to have learned everything she knew from her own loving parents, Jack and Jennifer Kim.
Jan worked as a kindergarten teacher so she could be around kids forever. Her colleagues knew her as a kind soul, always willing to cheer kids up with hugs. Jan is survived by her brother Jet and her sister Jessa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and both her parents.
Friends are invited to say a final goodbye to Jan at Hope Funeral Home in Mayfield, NY on July 29th from 6 to 8 p.m. The family will have a private funeral per Jan's wishes.
Related: Memorial Tributes to Mothers: A Guide to Cherishing Her Memory
Obituary Template for a Mom
Honor your mom with an obituary that focuses on her love for her children and her role as a mother before all the other necessary information is included. You can personalize this free obituary template by filling in the blanks with information specific to your mother. Click on the obituary template PDF image to download, edit, and print your obituary. Use the troubleshooting guide if you need help.
What to Include in an Obituary for Your Mom
These are the elements you might wish to include in an obituary for your mom.
- Name (including maiden name and married name(s) if she used them)
- Spouse (if any) and children's names
- Names of grandchildren and great-grandchildren
- Names of other surviving relatives of note
- Biographical information – DOB, DOD, where she was born and died, interests or hobbies, professional info, organizations she supported, or just a snapshot of who she was
- Funeral or memorial service info
- Where to send flowers/donations
Obituary Examples for Famous Moms
If you'd like even more inspiration, these famous obituaries offer examples of different types.
Obituary Example for a Mom Who Died of Cancer
Author Amy Krouse Rosenthal's obituary weaves together her love of writing and her love for her children. It gives examples of how it was with her children that she discovered her desire to write for a living and even authored books with her kids. These examples are seamlessly mixed in with professional accomplishments so the entire piece reads like a great story.
Funny Mom Obituary That Is Still Heartfelt
Mary Stocks' kids wrote her a hilarious obituary in 2015 that went viral for its funny honesty. Her kids thought of their mom's personality and used that as the basis for an obituary that they believed she would have loved. They shared fun memories like the fact that she bequeathed back to each of her kids all the things they had ever given her.
Say Goodbye to Mom Your Way
It's never easy to say goodbye, but writing an obituary can help. And while we've offered guidelines, remember that there are no rules. Honor your mom in a way that's meaningful to you by writing an obituary that speaks to the kind of mom she was.
