How to Write an Obituary

Although grieving for a loved one is a challenging process, taking the time to write an obituary can help celebrate their life. An obituary can offer crucial details about your loved one, such as the date of their passing and the time of the service, but it can also depict the kind of life they had. You can publish your written and revised obituary in neighbourhood newspapers so that people know how dear your loved one was to you.

Why Write an Obituary?

1. An obituary is a written notice that informs readers of a person’s passing. It also captures the accomplishments and memories of a lifetime for your loved one. Additionally, obituaries can be found in other media, such as broadcast media or trade magazines, even though they are frequently published online or in newspapers.

2. Although writing an obituary is not legally required when a person passes away, it is an excellent way to inform family, friends, and the neighbourhood of your loved one’s loss.

What Makes an Obituary?

An obituary not only provides the birth and death dates of your loved one but also a picture of the person, information about their accomplishments, and a biography.

The following are the essential components of an obituary:

• Announcement of death
• Date and time of the funeral
• Biographical data or a life summary
• A list of close relatives and acquaintances
• Memorable experiences and successes
• Details of the funeral or memorial
• Contributions and acknowledgments
• Pictures

What should be written in an obituary?

1. Nobody is the same, especially when viewed through the eyes of a close friend or relative. However, some guidelines exist for what should be included in an obituary.

For example, it should include information such as:

• The deceased’s name, a photograph of them, their date of death, their age at the time of death, and the names of their family members (for example, a partner or children)
• Particulars of a memorial or funeral (date, time, and location)
• details about flowers or donations

2. In addition, an obituary provides background information about the deceased and explains their life story. Brief anecdotes about the individual’s personality, daily activities, accomplishments, and community service can accomplish this.

3. Most obituaries are only a few paragraphs long (or about two to three hundred words). Although that brief space may appear limited, it is critical to remember that an obituary is only one way to honor a loved one’s memories. Even though the obituary’s primary purpose is to inform a public audience of the deceased’s passing, there will be additional opportunities to share their stories, such as eulogies, which may provide a deeper insight into their personality and life story. This can help alleviate some of the stress of writing an obituary.

How to write an Obituary?

Getting going

Ordinarily, obituaries begin by stating the deceased’s passing. Provide their name, a brief description of who they were, their age, and the day they passed away. For instance, 68-year-old Jane Smith, a devoted wife and mother of two children, died on Wednesday, October 9, 2019.

But, you then have to make confident style choices. You might choose to exclude certain biographical information if you’re paying per word for a newspaper obituary in favour of coming up with a gripping narrative that captures the essence of their (or your) life. The list below can be completed if you want to be thorough with the required biographical information.

Collecting data

If you were close to the deceased, you might already be aware of the crucial information, such as who their family members are and the date of the funeral. Nonetheless, you can compose the obituary on the family’s behalf as an outsider to assist them in their sorrow. In either case, asking the deceased’s close friends and relatives to fill in any blanks can be helpful. This can also help you understand what other people would want or expect from the obituary and, if applicable, which photo to include.

Encapsulating a distinct life in a few sentences

To do justice, an obituary must capture the deceased’s personality. Take a break from the specifics and attempt to compose a paragraph that captures the essence of that individual. Do they share a common phrase? A peculiar routine, a go-to dish, or a unique method of expressing affection to others?

You could want to discuss your interests, activities, causes you support, hobbies, sports, and other passions. Activities representing the deceased’s beliefs, such as charitable, religious, fraternal, political, and other associations, are particularly significant.

Instead of listing interests and accomplishments, try incorporating them into anecdotes about the deceased’s unique attributes.

Provide service hours

As the next step, provide the specifics of when and where the funeral will take place. Also, provide information about the wake or memorial service. This contains all pertinent details regarding the scheduled services, such as the precise day, time, and location.

You ought to also describe what occurs every day. Providing the address or phone number may also be useful for guests who want to contact the funeral home for more information.

Clearly describe the kind of service being offered. This will help visitors know what to wear and what they might need to carry.

Biographical details

Many people provide information like the place of the parent’s birth, the person’s high school or college, or the place of employment. Many also contain significant life events and achievements, such as getting married, having children, entering the military, becoming a religious member, being elected to a position of authority, or receiving a significant prize.

Try to go above and beyond what is anticipated while writing about a person’s life and emphasize what was unique about this person. What was your aunt’s funniest role, and how many plays had she appeared in? What was the worst joke your father ever told—the one he always managed to work in at family events? Was your loved one well-known for her collection of shoes? His dedication to orchids or his fascination with astrology? Despite her passion for singing, she cannot carry a tune. Consider your best qualities and put them on full show. These qualities are what others like and adore about you.

List your relatives and close friends.

It is usual to include a list of the deceased’s relatives, close acquaintances, and immediate family members who predeceased them.

A striking picture

A picture serves as a pleasant recollection of someone in happier times. Choose a recent, well-lit headshot of your loved one to ensure people can identify them. (If you use a picture of your grandma from her high school days, some people might not recognize her and might not read the obituary.) Using a photo in a print obituary occasionally costs extra, but doing so for an internet obit is free.

Your Dignity Memorial provider can provide examples of obituaries with you or assist you in creating one if you still need assistance. We’re here to support you in either case.

Proofread

Once you’ve finished writing your obituary, you must proofread it thoroughly. Typos and other basic errors should be checked, but you should also consider the tone. It should be polite and written with empathy, but it should also accurately reflect who your loved one was. If you’re unsure if the tone is appropriate, run your draught by someone you can trust and get their feedback. It would be even more beneficial if they were acquainted with the deceased.

Conclusion

Few writing assignments are more personal than writing an obituary. A death, the funeral or memorial ceremony information, the deceased’s family connections, and their influence on the community are all covered in an obituary. Obituaries can be written for anyone who has died, regardless of whether they were friends, relatives, or coworkers. Obituaries are typically published in local newspapers, social media, or funeral home websites.

Obituaries can be written for anyone who has passed away, whether a friend, relative, or coworker. They are typically published in local newspapers, on social media, or on funeral homes’ websites.