How to Write an Obituary

How to Write an Obituary

We often hear people ask us what's involved in writing an obituary. That's really the first thing you have to think about when sitting down to write one for a spouse, other family members, or a close friend. Exactly what information should it include and how can you find a balance between dry facts and engaging storytelling? We have the answers to those questions and hope you will find this information about how to write an obituary helpful.

What's the Difference Between Writing an Obituary and a Death Notice?

An obituary is a longer, more detailed look at the deceased's life. Whereas the death notice is merely a compilation of relevant facts. The obituary also includes the exact essential details; however, it expands on them to provide a more complete look at the deceased's life experiences. 

The first of the details would, of course, be their name. If she was a married woman, you'd want to include her maiden name, and if the deceased were commonly known by a nickname, you should also add that.

Other essential details to include when writing either a death notice or an obituary are:
  • Their age upon death
  • Birthday
  • Birthplace
  • A list of the surviving relatives
  • The date of death
  • The location (city/state) where they died
  • Details about the funeral service: date, time, place
  • Full name
  • Date of death
  • Where the person lived
We think it's beneficial to families to remind them that writing an obituary can help future generations — not only your immediate family. You are, in effect, recording history on an individual scale. It's a humbling yet inspiring thought.

Guidelines for Writing an Obituary

It's very easy to find examples of obituaries worthy of attention. There are interesting obituaries for everyday folks who inspire us and maybe even make us cry or laugh. Obituaries which, when we're done reading them, we say to ourselves, "I wish I'd had a chance to get to know that person." Obituaries are scattered in cyberspace as digital records of a life, time, and place. Recently, some very funny obituaries have been written.

Will writing our own obituaries become a trend? Maybe. We know many more people are writing their own obituaries today as it's often given as an assignment in particular college and university courses.

How you document your loved one's life story is up to you. With that said, we recommend that in addition to the facts of a death notice listed above, the enhanced death notice, known as an obituary, could also include these details:
  • Parents' names
  • Information about the spouse and children
  • Church affiliations
  • Job or career information
  • Personal and professional accomplishments
  • Personal character and interests
  • Influence on their community
It's now time to push the facts aside. Sit back and think about the anecdotes and memories you could share to shed some light on your loved one's character and interests. Bring factual details into play whenever you can to help the reader see who your loved one was, how they lived, what they did, and who and what they loved. The richer in detail, the more memorable the obituary becomes.

Double-Check Spelling and Grammar

Before you give a copy of the final draft of your loved one's obituary, be sure to read it through twice or even three times. You're looking for errors in spelling and grammar but you also want to make sure your facts are straight.

Reach Out to Us for Help with Writing an Obituary

We would be happy to offer some suggestions and guidance for writing an obituary, if you're stuck. Call us to discover how we can help you to shine a brighter spotlight on your loved one's life.
Share by: