When writing an obituary, listing grandchildren can honor an important part of the person’s family life while helping readers understand who survives them.
A few thoughtful choices about names, order, and wording can make the tribute both accurate and welcoming.
Choose a clear way to name grandchildren
There is no single required format.
The right choice depends on the family’s preferences, how many grandchildren there are, and how much space the obituary allows.
Common approaches include naming each grandchild, grouping names by their parent, or giving a total number.
- List each grandchild: Use this when the family wants every person individually recognized and the list is a manageable length.
- Group names by family branch: Introduce each adult child and follow with that child’s children.
This makes relationships easy to follow. - Give a number: If the family prefers privacy or the list is long, say the deceased is survived by a stated number of grandchildren.
- Combine approaches: Name some grandchildren with permission and use a total for others, if the family agrees and the wording remains clear.
For a short obituary, a simple sentence may be enough: “They are survived by their children and six grandchildren.” For a fuller tribute, names can make the notice more personal, especially when relatives and friends will recognize them.
Put names in a consistent order
Readers should be able to understand how the grandchildren are related.
One common method is to list them under each of the deceased’s children, following the same order used for the children in the obituary.
Within each family branch, names may be ordered by age, alphabetically, or in another order chosen by the family.
For example, a fictional family might write: “They are survived by their daughter, Morgan, and Morgan’s children, Alex and Riley; and their son, Jordan, and Jordan’s child, Casey.” The names and relationships here are fictional.
This format connects each grandchild to a parent without requiring readers to infer the family structure.
If using a single list, consider alphabetical order or another consistent approach.
Avoid switching between ordering methods without a reason, since that can look accidental or suggest a ranking.
Use wording that fits the family
“Grandchildren” is a familiar, inclusive term.
Some families may prefer “grandsons and granddaughters,” “grandchildren,” or a more specific description based on their relationships.
Follow the family’s own language, and confirm how each person wishes to be identified.
When a family includes step, adopted, foster, or other meaningful relationships, the obituary writer should not assume which labels are appropriate.
Ask the closest family members how they want those relationships described.
In many cases, a simple shared phrase such as “beloved grandchildren” avoids distinctions the family does not want emphasized.
It may also be appropriate to include grandchildren who are not named individually.
A family can recognize them as a group without disclosing private details.
Do not include a child’s full name, location, school, or other identifying information unless the family wants it shared.
What if there are many grandchildren?
Long lists can take up substantial space and may be difficult to check.
If there are many grandchildren, a total number is a practical option: “They are also survived by 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.” Include a number only after confirming it with the family, and check whether it counts living grandchildren according to the family’s intended meaning.
Another option is to name grandchildren in a longer memorial biography or family notice while keeping the newspaper obituary concise.
If an online version will remain available, consider whether the family wants every name published there as well.
The choice should reflect both the family’s wishes and the audience for the notice.
How should you handle difficult family circumstances?
Families may have estrangement, blended households, deceased relatives, private adoptions, or other circumstances that make a list sensitive.
There is no need to explain private history in the obituary.
Ask the family which surviving relatives they want acknowledged and what wording feels right.
If a grandchild has died, the family may wish to mention that person separately, perhaps in a remembrance or a phrase acknowledging grandchildren who died before the deceased.
Do not add this detail without checking with the family.
Likewise, avoid language that implies a complete list if some relatives are intentionally omitted for privacy or other personal reasons.
When there is disagreement about names or order, pause publication and ask the designated family contact to approve the final wording.
A consistent point of contact can help prevent well-intended edits from creating confusion.
Check names and details before submitting
Names are among the most important details to verify.
Confirm spelling, preferred names, punctuation, and whether middle names or initials should appear.
Check the relationship between each grandchild and the person being remembered, particularly in a long list with multiple family branches.
- Ask the family to review the names and relationships.
- Use the same spelling and order throughout the obituary.
- Confirm any totals, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
- Check that the wording does not share private information without permission.
- Review the newspaper’s formatting and length requirements before submission.
Newspapers set their own publication rates and formatting rules, so confirm details directly with the publication.
If space is limited, ask about shortening the notice while preserving the family’s preferred acknowledgments.
Fictional wording examples
The following examples are fictional templates.
Replace bracketed text only after confirming the details with the family.
- Names grouped by parent: “[Name] is survived by [child’s name] and grandchildren [names], and by [child’s name] and grandchildren [names].”
- A concise total: “[Name] is survived by [number] grandchildren and [number] great-grandchildren.”
- A warm group acknowledgment: “[Name] cherished time with their grandchildren, [names or family-approved description].”
- When names are omitted: “[Name] is survived by their children and grandchildren.”
Choose the version that feels accurate to the family and suits the space available.
A clear, carefully checked line can recognize grandchildren without making the obituary feel like a roster.