HOW DO I WRITE AN OBITUARY?
Writing an obituary for a friend or family member can be a difficult and daunting task. If you plan to run the obituary in a newspaper, be sure to check with the newspaper regarding its deadlines, length/word count and cost. The funeral home staff will often help with this process and may be able to help you submit the obituary or a simple death announcement. You may also want to read a few examples from that newpaper’s obituary section.
You’ll need to gather basic information, such as name, age, date of death, city of residence, birthdate, spouse/partner’s name, names of family members and so on (see checklist below). Be sure to include the location, date and time of services, if available. If services have not yet been arranged, then list the funeral home that will be handling the services, so people can inquire about services.
It’s also important to include details and memories that celebrate the person’s life, such as memorable quotations or descriptions of their unique character.
Use this checklist to walk you through this challenging task.
Note: This is a comprehensive list, which means not everything on the list might be relevant to your specific situation. Feel free to omit some items as you and/or family members see fit.
NAME / ANNOUNCEMENT
Full name of the deceased, including nickname, if any
Age at death
Residence (for example, the name of the city) at death
Day and date of death (include the year)
Place of death
Cause of death
LIFE
Date of birth
Place of birth
Names of parents
Childhood: siblings, stories, schools, friends
Marriage(s): date of, place, name of spouse
Education: school, college, university and other
Designations, awards, and other recognition
Employment: jobs, professional organizations (if active), stories, colleagues
Places of residence
Hobbies, sports, interests, activities of particular enjoyment
Charitable, religious, fraternal, political, and other affiliations; positions held
Achievements
Disappointments
Unusual attributes, humor, other stories
FAMILY
Survived by (and place of residence):
Spouse
Children (in order of date of birth, and their spouses)
Grandchildren
Great-grandchildren
Great-great-grandchildren
Parents
Grandparents
Siblings (in order of date of birth)
Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
Friends
Pets (if appropriate)
Preceded in death by (and date of death):
Spouse
Children (in order of date of birth)
Grandchildren
Siblings (in order of date of birth)
Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
Pets (if appropriate)
SERVICE
Day, date, time, place
Name of officiant, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, other information
Visitation information if applicable: day, date, time, place
Reception information if applicable: day, date, time, place
Other memorial, vigil, or graveside services if applicable: day, date, time, place
Place of interment
Name of funeral home in charge of arrangements
Where to call for more information (even if no service planned)
END
Memorial funds established
Memorial donation suggestions, including addresses
Thank you to people, groups, or institutions
Quotation or poem
A few words or a phrase that sum up the person’s life
FOR FURTHER REFERENCE
For sample obituary templates, click here.
