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Obituary template for a veteran
For many families, a person's time in the service is a central part of who they were. This template adds room for their branch, years of service and honors, and for details of an interment or graveside service. Include only what is accurate. Rank, dates and decorations are worth checking against their papers.
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Your text
Highlighted [brackets] mark a needed detail that is still blank. Paste the text into any document to change the wording.
The plain template
The same template with every blank showing. Copy it into any document and replace each [bracketed] part.
[full name], [age], of [hometown or where they lived], passed away on [date of death], [how or where they passed].
They were born on [date of birth], in [place of birth], to [parents' names].
[first name or the name family used] served in the [branch of service] as [rank] from [years of service], including time in [where they served]. They earned [medals or honors].
[first name or the name family used] worked as [work or career]. They were known for [what they were known for]. They loved [what they loved].
They are survived by [survived by]. They were preceded in death by [preceded in death by].
A service will be held at [service place] on [service date and time]. Interment will take place at [place of interment] on [interment date]. [military honors sentence]
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to [donations or flowers].
[a closing line in your own words]
An example made-up people and details
Walter James Donnelly, 81, of Fairview, passed away on February 8, 2026, peacefully at the veterans' care home.
He was born on May 17, 1944, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Helen and Joseph Donnelly.
Walter served in the Army as a sergeant from 1966 to 1969, including time in Germany. He earned the Army Commendation Medal.
Walter worked as an electrician for thirty-four years. He was known for his steadiness and his stories. He loved his workshop, his grandchildren's ball games and the Sunday crossword.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons, Kevin and Sean; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joe.
A service will be held at Fairview Funeral Chapel on Friday, February 13, at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Fairview Memorial Park on February 13. Military honors will be offered at the graveside.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Fairview Veterans' Fund.
A few gentle notes
- Check the branch, rank, dates and decorations against their discharge papers if you have them. These are the details readers most often notice.
- A funeral director can usually help arrange military honors and tell you what documents are needed.
- Say what you know and leave out what you do not. It is fine not to list every posting.
- If they did not talk much about their service, a single line is a complete and respectful mention.
- Before sharing online, consider leaving out home addresses, full birth dates, a mother’s maiden name, and when the home will be empty.
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