How to write an obituary for your husband
Keep it simple: the facts in the first sentence, your life together in a paragraph, one or two things only you would know, then the family and the service. It is fine to ask a son, daughter or friend to type while you talk.
Facts checked at the sources on October 23, 2026.
You don't have to do it alone
Writing about your husband in the same week you are planning his funeral is a lot. A good way to start is to talk while someone else writes. Tell them how you met, what he did on an ordinary morning and what you'll miss most. The obituary is often hiding in what you say.
Sample: for a husband
James Arthur Whitfield, 83, of Roanoke, Virginia, died October 11, 2026, at home, with his wife of 61 years, Patricia, holding his hand.
Jim and Pat met at a square dance at the Salem Civic Center in 1963. He stepped on her feet twice and asked her out anyway. He spent his career as a civil engineer with the Virginia Department of Transportation and liked to point out the bridges he had worked on, every time, on every drive.
He brought Pat coffee in bed every morning of their marriage, did the crossword in pen and pretended not to mind losing at Scrabble. He loved bluegrass, his tomato plants and the Virginia Tech Hokies, roughly in that order.
Jim is survived by Pat; their children, Susan (Keith) Moore and Andrew (Megan) Whitfield; and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church. Contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice.
Wording for different families
- A long marriage: "his wife of 61 years, Patricia" is the common form.
- A second marriage: list his wife first, then all children together or as "his children ... and his stepchildren ...", whichever the family uses at home.
- A partner you never married: "his partner of 22 years, Carol" is clear and respectful.
- A husband: "his husband, Michael" is written the same way as any spouse.
- Adult children from his first marriage: ask them how they want to be listed. It avoids hurt later.
More phrasing for survivors and donations is in obituary wording.
A shorter version
Carlos Mendes, 71, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, died October 19, 2026. A fisherman for 45 years and a fixture at the Portuguese Feast, he is survived by his wife, Fatima; three children; and six grandchildren. Funeral Mass Thursday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church.
When you are ready, start with the traditional template. You can save a draft and come back to it.
Write it with us, free
Answer a few questions and ObituaryUS sets your words in a clean, printed-page layout you can share, print and keep. No fees, no ads on the page.
Questions families ask
Is it all right to write in my own voice?
Yes. "My husband, Jim, ..." reads warmly, especially online. Keep his full name, age, town and date in the first sentence so people searching can find it.
Do I list myself as a survivor?
Yes, first: "He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia." It is how readers know who to send a card to.
Can I publish now and add the service later?
Yes. Many families publish within a few days and add service details when they are set, especially with a memorial weeks later.