Writing an Obituary
How to write an obituary for a loved one, with or without AI assistance.
Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming. BestFarewell helps you honor your loved one in your own words, whether you write it yourself or use AI guidance.
Two Approaches
Manual writing. You write the obituary yourself in the editor. Use this when you have a clear draft or prefer to control every word. The editor supports plain text and basic formatting. You can save as you go and return anytime.
AI-assisted writing. You provide key details and Sage helps you craft the story. This works well when you know what to say but struggle to find the right structure or phrasing. You stay in control—review and edit everything before publishing.
What to Gather First
Before you start, collect these basics:
- Full name and any nicknames
- Dates of birth and death
- Place of birth and residence
- Surviving family members (spouse, children, siblings, parents)
- Education and career highlights
- Hobbies, interests, and personality traits
- Community involvement
You don’t need everything. A few meaningful details can create a warm tribute. If you’re unsure, ask other family members for a memory or two to include.
How the Editor Works
Open the obituary editor from your family member’s profile. You’ll see a simple text area where you can type or paste your draft. Use the AI-assisted option if you’d like help—Sage will ask questions and generate a draft based on your answers. You can then edit the result in the same editor.
Save often. Changes are saved automatically, so you can step away and return when you’re ready.