Writing your mother’s obituary is one of the hardest things you’ll ever be asked to do, often within a day or two of losing her. You don’t need to be a writer. An obituary has a simple, familiar shape, and once you have that shape, her life fills it in. Below you’ll find a five-part structure, more than 15 complete sample obituaries you can copy and adapt, opening lines and closing messages, and the practical details on newspaper costs, word counts, and what to leave out to protect your family from identity theft.
Quick answer: A good obituary for a mother announces her passing, tells her life story in a few warm details, lists the family she leaves behind, and gives the service details and memorial wishes. Keep it to 150ā200 words for a paid newspaper notice, and write the full 350ā600 word version for the funeral program and the funeral home’s free online memorial page.
How to write an obituary for a mother: the 5-part framework
A mother’s obituary does four jobs: it tells the community she has died, celebrates who she was, names the people who loved her, and tells readers where and when to say goodbye. Almost every obituary follows the same five parts in the same order, which makes it easier to write when grief makes it hard to think.
| Part | What to include | Sample wording |
| 1. Announcement | Full name (including nickname), age, city, date of death; cause of death only if the family wishes | “Margaret ‘Peggy’ Ellis, 82, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026.” |
| 2. Life sketch | Birth year and hometown, education, work, faith, passions, what made her her | “A nurse for 35 years, she never met a stranger.” |
| 3. Family | Survived by (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings), then preceded in death by | “She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert…” |
| 4. Service details | Visitation, funeral or memorial, burial; dates, times, places; livestream link | “A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday…” |
| 5. Memorial wishes | Flowers or donations, a thank-you to caregivers, a closing line | “In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to…” |
Before you start: gather these details
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Her full legal name, maiden name (for your own records; consider leaving it out of the published version), and nickname
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Birth year, hometown, and the city where she lived
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Schools, career, military service, church, clubs, and volunteer roles
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Spouse, children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and anyone who died before her
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Service times and places, confirmed with the funeral home
- Ā Ā Ā Ā A favorite photo, a charity she cared about, and two or three stories that sound like her
Note: Ask siblings to send one memory each before you write. It takes pressure off you, catches names you might forget, and gives the obituary details only family would know.
Fill-in-the-blank sample obituary template for mother
[Full name], [age], of [city, state], passed away [peacefully / surrounded by family] on [date].
Born in [year] in [hometown], she [one sentence about her early life].
[Name] graduated from [school] and spent [number] years as a [career], where [a detail
that captures her]. She loved [hobbies or passions], and nothing made her happier than
[a family tradition or simple joy].
She is survived by [spouse], [children and their spouses], [number] grandchildren and
[number] great-grandchildren, and [siblings]. She was preceded in death by [names].
Visitation will be held [day, date, time] at [funeral home]. A funeral service will follow
at [time] at [place], with burial at [cemetery]. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that
donations be made to [charity].
Core sample obituaries for mother (copy and adapt)
Each sample below is complete and uses fictional names. Swap in your mother’s name, dates, places, and stories, and cut or add lines to fit your space. Start with the short newspaper version if you’re paying by the line, and use the longer versions for the funeral program and online memorial.
1. Sample short newspaper obituary for mother (about 150 words)
Linda Marie Carter, 74, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on October 2, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Born in 1952 in Marietta, Ohio, Linda taught second grade at Westview Elementary for 31 years. Generations of children learned to read at her kidney-shaped table, and she still received letters from former students. She loved her flower garden, Sunday dinners, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Thomas; her children, Michael (Anne) Carter and Julie (David) Ross; five grandchildren; and her sister, Karen Webb. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ruth Simmons.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, October 8, at Greenlawn Funeral Home. The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Friday at First Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columbus Literacy Council.
2. Sample funeral program obituary for mother (full life story)
Rosa Elena Martinez was born on May 14, 1948, in San Antonio, Texas, the third of six children of Manuel and Teresa Garza. She grew up in a small house filled with music, cousins, and the smell of fresh tortillas, and she carried that warmth with her for the rest of her life.
Rosa graduated from Lanier High School in 1966 and married her sweetheart, Daniel Martinez, two years later. Together they built a home, a family, and a corner bakery that became a neighborhood landmark. For 27 years, Rosa was at the counter by 5 a.m., remembering every regular’s order and quietly sending day-old bread home with families who needed it.
Above all, Rosa was a mother. She raised four children with high expectations and endless patience. She sewed Halloween costumes, never missed a recital or a ball game, and could end any argument with one raised eyebrow. When her grandchildren arrived, she became “Abuela Rosa” to them and, eventually, to half the neighborhood.
Rosa’s faith guided her life. She was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Parish, where she sang in the choir for over 40 years and organized the annual Christmas toy drive.
She passed away peacefully on October 1, 2026, at the age of 78, holding the hands of her children.
Rosa is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Daniel; her children, Elena (Mark) Lopez, Daniel Jr. (Sara), Gabriel (Lisa), and Marisol Martinez; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her brothers and sisters, Ramon, Lucia, and Carmen. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Jose and Luis.
The family thanks the nurses of Hope Hospice for their compassionate care. In Rosa’s memory, please do something kind for a neighbor this week. She would like that better than flowers.
3. Sample obituary for elderly mother
Dorothy Jean Miller, 97, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, went home to rest on September 29, 2026, after a long and remarkable life.
Born in 1929 on her family’s dairy farm, Dorothy lived through nearly a century of change but never lost her love of simple things: a well-kept garden, a handwritten letter, and a full table on Sunday. She worked as a bookkeeper for the Lancaster Savings Bank for 30 years, served as a 4-H leader, and volunteered at the county library until she was 90.
She is survived by her children, Carol (James) Hart and Paul Miller; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Walter, and by her siblings.
A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 10, at Grace Lutheran Church.
4. Sample obituary for wife and mother
Karen Ann Brooks, 61, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, beloved wife and devoted mother, passed away on October 4, 2026.
Karen and her husband, Steve, met at a church picnic in 1985 and were inseparable for 39 years. Their marriage was a partnership of road trips, terrible puns, and shared coffee on the back porch every morning. As a mother, Karen was her children’s fiercest cheerleader and safest place to land.
A dental hygienist for 30 years, she made nervous patients laugh and remembered every child’s name. She is survived by her husband, Steve; her children, Ashley (Ryan) Moore and Jacob Brooks; three grandchildren; and her mother, Joan Fields.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, at Moore Funeral Home.
5. Sample obituary for mother and grandmother
Evelyn “Nana” Thompson, 85, of Charlotte, North Carolina, the heart and matriarch of the Thompson family, passed away on October 5, 2026.
Evelyn raised five children, helped raise 14 grandchildren, and fed anyone who walked through her kitchen door. Her pound cake was legendary, her advice was blunt, and her hugs could fix almost anything. Every Thanksgiving, more than 40 people crowded into her home, and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.
She is survived by her children, Gloria, James, Denise, Anthony, and Patricia; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a large, loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Thompson, and her son, Marcus.
A homegoing service will be held at noon Saturday, October 10, at Mount Zion Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour before the service.
For help laying out these words in a printed program, see M Life Insurance’s funeral program format guide.
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Circumstance-specific sample obituaries for mother
Some losses call for a particular tone. Mentioning an illness is always the family’s choice: many families name it to raise awareness or explain a memorial donation, and others simply say she “passed away.” Either is correct.
6. Sample obituary for mother with cancer
Jennifer Lynn Hayes, 58, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on October 3, 2026, after a courageous three-year journey with ovarian cancer.
Jennifer met her diagnosis the way she met everything: with research, humor, and a color-coded binder. Between treatments she hiked her favorite trails, finished her quilt for each grandchild, and organized a fundraiser walk that raised more than $20,000 for cancer research. She never let the illness become her story; her story was her family.
She is survived by her husband, Mark; her daughters, Emily and Grace; two grandsons; and her parents, Richard and Carol Dunn.
The family is deeply grateful to the oncology team at University Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 11, at Cherry Creek Community Church. Donations in Jennifer’s memory may be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.
7. Sample obituary for mother with dementia or Alzheimer’s
Barbara Ann Collins, 84, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, after a long illness with Alzheimer’s disease.
Though the disease took her memories in her final years, it never took her kindness. Even when names slipped away, Barbara still hummed the hymns she loved, held every hand offered to her, and lit up when her great-grandchildren visited.
Before her illness, Barbara was a church organist for 40 years, an accomplished seamstress, and the family’s keeper of birthdays, recipes, and stories. Her family will remember her as she truly was: sharp-witted, generous, and always humming.
She is survived by her children, Susan (Greg) Patel and Robert Collins; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward.
The family thanks the staff at Brookdale Memory Care for their gentle care. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
8. Sample obituary for young mother
Amanda Rose Kelly, 34, of Boise, Idaho, was taken from us far too soon on October 2, 2026.
Amanda was a kindergarten teacher, a loyal friend, and above all a joyful, hands-on mom to Ella, 7, and Owen, 4. She was the mom who turned the living room into a blanket fort, sang off-key in the car, and kept a drawer full of craft supplies for rainy days. Her laugh could be heard across a playground.
Amanda is survived by her husband, Chris; her children, Ella and Owen; her parents, Daniel and Maria Reyes; and her brother, Luke.
A celebration of Amanda’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 10, at Riverside Chapel. Families are welcome to bring children. An education fund has been established for Ella and Owen at Idaho Central Credit Union.
Note: When a young mother dies, a fund for her children is often more helpful than flowers. Name the bank or platform clearly, and have a family member, not the grieving spouse, manage questions about it.
9. Sample Christian obituary for mother
Mary Elizabeth Johnson, 79, of Birmingham, Alabama, entered into eternal rest and the arms of her Savior on October 4, 2026.
Mary’s faith was the center of her life. A lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church, she taught Sunday school for 45 years, led the women’s prayer circle, and could find a Bible verse for every trouble. She often said, “God has never once been late.”
She raised four children in the faith and prayed for each of her grandchildren by name every night. In the words of Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise up, and call her blessed.”
She is survived by her children, Deborah, Samuel, Ruth, and Joseph; 10 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Henry Johnson.
A homegoing celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 10, at Bethel Baptist Church. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)
For more words of comfort, see bereavement prayers and poems.
Newspaper obituary vs. funeral program and online memorial
Most families publish two versions: a short paid notice in the newspaper and a longer, free tribute on the funeral home’s website and in the printed program. Newspapers charge by the line or by the notice, so every word costs money. Online memorials have room for the full story, photos, and a guestbook.
Newspaper word count and costs
Newspaper pricing varies widely. Small local papers may charge just a few dollars per line; for example, Maine’s Ellsworth American lists $2.50 per line. Big-city papers cost far more: the Los Angeles Times starts at $205 for a five-line notice. Photos, Sunday editions, and extra days usually cost more. Ask the funeral director to place the notice for you; they know local deadlines and rates.
Ways to keep newspaper costs down:
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Print a short 100ā200 word notice and add “Read the full obituary at [funeral home website].”
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Combine the obituary with the service details so you only pay once.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā List grandchildren by number (“seven grandchildren”) rather than by name.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Ask whether the photo is a flat fee or charged as extra lines.
Free digital memorial pages and PDF funeral programs
Most funeral homes publish an online obituary at no extra charge as part of their services, often with a photo gallery, guestbook, and livestream link. Free memorial websites such as Ever Loved are another option. For the printed program, the full obituary usually fills one inside page of a folded program. Save it as a PDF so relatives can print or share copies.
Photo tips
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Choose a clear photo where her face fills most of the frame and she looks like herself.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Send the original high-resolution JPEG or PNG; avoid screenshots and photos copied from social media.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā For print, ask the paper’s required resolution (often 300 dpi) and whether it prints in color or black and white.
Newspaper print obituary vs. digital funeral home memorial page
| Factor | Newspaper print obituary | Funeral home or online memorial |
| Cost | A few dollars per line at small papers; often $200+ at large-city papers | Usually included with funeral services, or free |
| Typical length | 100ā200 words | 350ā600+ words |
| Photos | Usually one, often for an extra fee | Many photos, sometimes video |
| Audience | Local readers, older generations, newspaper archives | Family and friends anywhere, shared by link and social media |
| Interaction | None | Guestbook, condolences, livestream, donation links |
| Permanence | Archived by the paper | Depends on the site; download a copy |
Security and fraud prevention checklist
Identity thieves read obituaries for personal details. Protect your family by leaving these out:
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Exact date of birth. Use her age and birth year only.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Mother’s maiden name. It’s a common security question; refer to her parents by first names or leave it out.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Home street address. Use the city only.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā Birthplace details beyond the city or state.
- Ā Ā Ā Ā The family’s empty-house times. Have someone stay at the home during the funeral and visitation.
After the obituary runs, the funeral home typically reports the death to Social Security. Ask the funeral director to confirm, and order several certified death certificates for banks and insurers.
Note: Leaving out the maiden name is a safety choice, not a rule. If her family name is important to the community, include it as part of her name (for example, “Mary Smith Johnson”) rather than as “daughter of the late John Smith,” and still leave out her exact birth date.
Obituary wording ideas: opening lines, family lists, and short messages
The first line sets the tone, the family list is where mistakes happen most, and a short message is often all you need for a card, a social media post, or a wreath ribbon. Here are ready-to-use options for each.
Opening lines for a mother’s obituary
| Tone | Opening line |
| Traditional | “Ann Marie Walsh, 81, of Albany, New York, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026.” |
| Gentle | “Surrounded by the family she loved, Ruth Ellen Price slipped quietly into rest on October 2.” |
| Faith-based | “Grace Williams, 76, went home to be with the Lord on October 4, 2026.” |
| Celebratory | “Patricia ‘Patty’ Long lived 88 years at full volume, and on October 1, she took her final bow.” |
| Matriarch | “The heart of the Reyes family, Carmen Reyes, 90, passed away on October 5, 2026.” |
| Warm and personal | “If you ever sat at Helen Baker’s kitchen table, you left full, and you left loved.” |
| After illness | “After a brave fight with breast cancer, Lisa Grant, 52, found peace on October 3.” |
| Long life | “Born the year Amelia Earhart crossed the Atlantic, Edna Fox, 98, died on October 2.” |
| Young mother | “Megan Holt, 31, adored mother of Lily and Sam, was taken from us far too soon on October 4.” |
| Simple | “Our mother, Joyce Turner, died on October 3, 2026. She was 79.” |
How to format “survived by” and “preceded in death by”
List the closest relationships first. The standard order is:
- Ā Ā Ā Spouse or partner
- Ā Ā Ā Children, with their spouses in parentheses: “Michael (Anne) Carter”
- Ā Ā Ā Grandchildren, then great-grandchildren (names or numbers)
- Ā Ā Ā Parents, if living
- Ā Ā Ā Siblings
- Ā Ā Ā Other close family, including stepchildren, in-laws, and special friends
Then list those who died before her, in the same order: “She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her son, Marcus; and her parents.” Include stepchildren and blended family the way your mother would have, and double-check spelling with each household.
Short messages for a mother who has passed away
- Ā Ā Ā Ā “Forever in our hearts, Mom. Thank you for every single day.”
- Ā Ā Ā Ā “Your love was our first home, and it still is.”
- Ā Ā Ā Ā “Rest easy, Mama. We’ll keep the porch light on.”
- Ā Ā Ā Ā “You taught us how to live. Now we’ll carry you with us.”
- Ā Ā Ā Ā “Gone from our sight, never from our hearts.”
- Ā Ā Ā Ā “The world was kinder because you were in it.”
More short sample obituaries (10ā15)
- Very short death notice (about 50 words)
Susan Lee Morgan, 69, of Raleigh, North Carolina, died October 3, 2026. Beloved mother of Kevin and Rachel and grandmother of four. Visitation 5ā7 p.m. Thursday, October 8, Brown-Wynne Funeral Home; service 11 a.m. Friday. Memorials to the American Heart Association.
- Social media announcement
With heavy hearts, we share that our mom, Linda Carter, passed away peacefully on October 2, surrounded by family. She loved her students, her garden, and all of you. Service details are on the Greenlawn Funeral Home website. Thank you for your prayers and your patience as we grieve.
- Sample obituary for a single mother
Tanya Michelle Brown, 49, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away October 1, 2026. A single mother who worked two jobs to put both her sons through college, Tanya never missed a game, a graduation, or a chance to remind them she was proud. She is survived by her sons, Marcus and Darius Brown, her mother, Loretta, and her sister, Kim.
- Sample obituary for a mother who served in the military
Major (Ret.) Carol Ann Fisher, 72, of San Diego, California, passed away October 4, 2026. Carol served 22 years as a U.S. Army nurse, including a tour in the Gulf War, before raising three children and leading her local VFW auxiliary. Military honors will be rendered at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
- Sample obituary for a sudden loss
Nicole Ann Rivera, 45, of Phoenix, Arizona, died unexpectedly on October 2, 2026. Nicole was a nurse, a runner, and the mom who always had snacks for every kid on the team. Her family is heartbroken and grateful for the love surrounding them.
- Sample obituary written by her children
Our mom, Jean Ellis, left this world on October 3, 2026, at 83, but she left it better than she found it. She taught us to say thank you, to show up, and to never leave dishes in the sink overnight. We are her sons, Paul and Mark, and we were lucky to be hers.
For guidance on flowers and memorial gifts, see funeral flower arrangements.
Managing final expenses: easing the financial burden of loss
Alongside the grief, families face bills that arrive within days. The National Funeral Directors Association’s latest General Price List Study puts the median funeral with viewing and burial at $8,300 and with cremation at $6,280, and neither figure includes the cemetery, the headstone, or the newspaper notice. Burial insurance exists so that money is ready when the family needs it.
The costs families don’t see coming
| Expense | What to expect |
| Funeral with viewing and burial (NFDA median) | $8,300, excluding cemetery costs |
| Funeral with viewing and cremation (NFDA median) | $6,280 |
| Cemetery plot, opening and closing, headstone | Varies widely by location; often several thousand dollars |
| Newspaper obituary | A few dollars per line locally; $200+ in large cities |
| Printed funeral programs, flowers, reception | Varies with size of service |
| Travel for out-of-town family | Varies |
See M Life Insurance’s guide to funeral home costs for a fuller breakdown.
How burial insurance helps
Burial insurance, also called final expense insurance, is a small whole life policy, usually $5,000 to $25,000, that pays a cash death benefit directly to the person your mother (or you) names. Beneficiaries can use it for the funeral home, the cemetery, the newspaper notice, or any other bill. Premiums are fixed for life, there’s usually no medical exam, and healthy applicants can often qualify for full coverage from the first day. In 2026 sample rates, a $10,000 level policy for a 70-year-old non-smoker costs about $53 a month for a woman and $70 for a man.
If your parents are still living, now is a gentle time to ask whether they have coverage. M Life Insurance has guides on funeral insurance for parents, affordable burial insurance, and burial insurance with no waiting period.
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Conclusion:
There is no perfect obituary, only an honest and loving one. If the words sound like her, if they mention the garden or the pound cake or the way she laughed, you’ve done it right. Write it simply, let your family help, and give yourself grace.
| Your situation | What to write |
| Paying for a newspaper notice | Short version, 100ā200 words, plus a link to the full obituary |
| Funeral program and online memorial | Full life story, 350ā600 words |
| Long life, many descendants | Elderly mother or matriarch template; list grandchildren by number |
| Illness such as cancer or dementia | Name it only if the family wishes; focus on who she was |
| Young mother | Gentle wording, plus a fund for her children |
| Faith was central to her life | Christian template with one or two Scripture verses |
| Need to share quickly | Short death notice or social media announcement |
Protect your family from unexpected funeral bills
Writing your mother’s obituary is an act of love. So is making sure the people you leave behind never have to worry about how to pay for a funeral. M Life Insurance final expense plans help seniors lock in affordable, fixed-premium burial coverage, often with no medical exam.
Explore senior burial coverage on M Life Insurance, get instant burial quotes at M Life Insurance, or call (800) 661-8136 to speak with a licensed agent.
Secure Your Family's Future with Confidence
Donāt leave your loved ones' financial security to chance. Use our expert tools and free resources to find the perfect coverage today.
FAQS
Keep it simple and personal: “Forever in our hearts, Mom. Thank you for every single day,” or “Your love was our first home, and it still is.” Adding one specific memory, like her laugh or her Sunday dinners, makes even a single line feel like her.
The clearest opening states her full name, age, city, and date of death: “Ann Marie Walsh, 81, of Albany, New York, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026.” For a warmer tone, open with a detail that captures her, then give the facts in the next sentence.
“Susan Lee Morgan, 69, of Raleigh, North Carolina, died October 3, 2026. Beloved mother of Kevin and Rachel and grandmother of four. Visitation 5ā7 p.m. Thursday at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home; service 11 a.m. Friday. Memorials to the American Heart Association.” That’s about 50 words and includes everything readers need.
Write what you would say if she could hear you: thank her for something specific, tell her what you’ll carry forward, and tell her you love her. Many people write a letter to read at the service, place in the casket, or keep privately.
About 100ā200 words for a paid newspaper notice, and 350ā600 words for the funeral program and online memorial page.
Only if your family wants to. Many families name an illness to raise awareness or explain a memorial donation; “passed away peacefully” or “after a long illness” is always acceptable.
Sources and 2026 Verification
- Ā Ā Ā NFDA: 2023 General Price List Study (released Dec 8, 2023) (opened Oct 15, 2026)
- Ā Ā Ā Funeral.com: How much do digital and newspaper obituaries cost (Jan 2026) (opened Oct 15, 2026)
- Ā Ā Ā Los Angeles Times: Place an obituary (pricing cited via Funeral.com)
- Ā Ā Ā Choice Mutual: Cost of burial and final expense insurance (sample rates valid Mar 9, 2026)
Note: All names in the sample obituaries are fictional. Newspaper prices vary by paper, length, photo, and day; confirm with the publication or your funeral director. Insurance rates are samples and depend on age, health, and carrier.
Joyce Espinoza, Expert Life Insurance Agent
Joyce Espinoza is a trusted life insurance agent at mLifeInsurance.com. She’s been in the insurance industry for over ten years, helping people, especially those with special health conditions to find the right coverage. At MLife Insurance, Joyce writes easy-to-understand articles that help readers make smart choices about life insurance. Previously, she worked directly with clients at Mlife Insurance, advising nearly 3,000 of them on life insurance options.
