How to Write an Obituary for a Veteran
A guide from Cherished Book, where families make a memorial together.
An obituary for a veteran tells two stories: their service, and the rest of their life. This guide covers which service details to include and how to check them, the right tone, an example veteran obituary, and military honours at the funeral.
Their service, in their own proportion
For some veterans, their years in the forces shaped everything that followed. For others, it was a few years long ago that they rarely spoke about. A good military obituary gives their service the weight they would have given it. A life of forty years in the Royal Navy deserves more than a line; two years of National Service may be one sentence among many.
Whatever the balance, be accurate. Families, comrades and old regimental friends will read it, and a wrong rank or an honour they did not receive is the detail people notice.
Service details to include
Include what you can confirm. It is fine to leave out what you cannot.
- The branch: for example the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force or Royal Marines, or the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.
- Their regiment, corps, ship, squadron or unit.
- Their rank on leaving, written out in full the first time.
- The years they served, and where: postings, campaigns or conflicts.
- Honours and medals, named correctly.
- Service associations they belonged to afterwards, such as a regimental association or the Royal British Legion.
Getting the facts right
Grief makes it easy to misremember. A little checking now saves a correction later.
- Look for their discharge papers, service book or medal certificates first.
- In the UK, next of kin can ask the Ministry of Defence for a copy of a service record.
- In the US, the DD-214 shows dates, rank and decorations.
- A regimental association or a comrade can often confirm a unit or a posting.
- If you are unsure of a detail, leave it out rather than guess.
A veteran obituary example
Adapt this to their life. Replace the words in brackets.
“[Name], who served for [twelve] years with [the Royal Engineers], died peacefully on [date], aged [age]. Born in [place], [he] enlisted at [eighteen] and served in [places], leaving as a [Staff Sergeant]. After the Army [he] spent [twenty-five] years as [a building surveyor], and never lost the habit of fixing everything in sight. A loyal member of [his] regimental association and a devoted [husband, father and grandfather], [he] will be greatly missed. The funeral will be held at [place] on [date], with a standard bearer from the Royal British Legion.”
Military honours at the funeral
Many veterans can be honoured at their funeral. In the UK, the local Royal British Legion branch may be able to send a standard bearer, and the Exhortation and the Last Post are often part of a veteran's funeral. Contact the branch, or ask the funeral director to. In the US, eligible veterans are entitled to military funeral honours, including the folding and presenting of the flag and the playing of Taps, which the funeral director usually requests. The obituary can say that honours will be given.
If a blank page is too much
Answer a few questions about them, and Cherished Book drafts their life story in a tone that honours a life of service, ready for you to change. You can add their regiment, rank and honours as you go, and family, friends and old comrades can add their own memories afterwards.
Help with the words
Answer a few questions and we'll draft a first version you can change. Then family and friends can add their own memories to it. Free to start.
Help me write itFrequently asked questions
What should a veteran's obituary include about their service?
The branch they served in, their rank, their regiment, ship or unit, the years they served, where they served, and any honours they received. Include what the family is sure of, and leave out what you cannot check.
How do I find their service details?
Start with their own papers: discharge papers, a service book or medal certificates. In the UK, the Ministry of Defence can provide service records to next of kin. In the US, the DD-214 records service and decorations.
Can a veteran have military honours at their funeral?
Often, yes. In the UK, the local Royal British Legion branch may be able to send a standard bearer. In the US, eligible veterans can receive military funeral honours, including the folding and presenting of the flag. The funeral director can help with either.
Should the obituary mention their medals?
If they received them, yes, briefly and accurately. Some veterans spoke little about their service, and the family may prefer a lighter touch. Either is respectful.
Last reviewed October 2026.
A memorial everyone who loved them can add to.
We’ll start you on a tone that honours a life of service. Answer a few questions and we’ll draft their life story for you to change, and old comrades can add their memories too. Free to start.
Something not right?
We work hard to keep this content accurate and respectful. If you spot anything that could be improved, let us know.