A clear, step by step guide for Tacoma and Lakewood families writing an obituary that honors a loved one, with help whenever you need it.
If you are learning how to write an obituary for someone you love, you have been given one of the more meaningful tasks after a loss. An obituary is a written tribute that announces a passing, tells the story of a life, and lets family and the community know about services. It is written by the family, not an official record like a death certificate. This guide walks you through each step, from gathering details to a final tribute, so the words come more easily for your Tacoma or Lakewood family.
This obituary writing guide follows the same basic parts most families use, taken in order. Use as much or as little of each step as feels right for your loved one.
Start by collecting their full name, dates, places and a few favorite memories. Then open with a simple announcement: name, age, city and the date of passing.
Share the work, faith, hobbies and people that shaped their life, noting military service where it applies. Then name the family who survived them and those who came before.
Include the service date, time and place, plus any memorial gift request. End with a favorite saying or a simple, loving goodbye that sounds like them.
Working from a simple obituary template can make the task feel more manageable. Most checklists include full name, age, dates and places, immediate family, education or military service, hobbies and community ties, service details, and any memorial gift request. Use what fits your loved one’s life and leave out the rest.
Not sure how to start, or want a second set of eyes on what you have written? Our team is glad to help.
Once written, most families publish the obituary on the funeral home’s website and may also send it to a local newspaper serving Tacoma, Lakewood and Pierce County. Deadlines, word limits, photo specs and fees are set by each publication and can change, so confirm current requirements directly with the outlet. Before sending it anywhere, double check the spelling of every name and date, and ask another family member to confirm no one close has been missed. A second reader often catches what a tired eye misses. Mountain View also publishes recent obituaries on our website, where family and friends can share memories and find service details.
Finding the right words is hard while you are grieving. From our home in Tacoma, one Mountain View team guides Lakewood and Pierce County families through every step, including shaping an obituary that reflects a life with honesty and care. Whether you are starting from a blank page or refining a draft, we are here to help, and to talk through what a spoken eulogy for the service might include too.
If you are navigating other parts of this process, these guides can help. Explore whichever feels most useful right now, every one of them is available today.
An obituary is a written announcement that shares the news of a person’s passing, celebrates their life and lets family, friends and the community know about funeral or memorial services. It is written by the family and reflects the story they want to tell about their loved one.
Putting a life into words is never easy. Let our team help you find them.
We’re here for you during this difficult time.
(253) 243-0105