Writing an obituary can feel like an overwhelming task. Losing a loved one is already painful without the added pressure of summing up that person’s life for the world to see. However, writing an obituary for a loved one can also be a fulfilling and cathartic experience. It allows you to reflect on your happier memories and let others get to know more about the person that you loved. When writing an obituary, there are several factors to consider.
Announcement of Death
Generally an obituary starts with the deceased’s name, age, and place of residence, along with the time and place of death. It is not necessary to give the cause of death, unless you and other family members would like to share that information. Do not share this information if it makes you uncomfortable. Sometimes, especially if the death circumstances were very sudden, announcing the cause of death in the obituary could keep you and other family members from having to explain what happened over and over again.
Biography and Memories
You may want to recount some of the most important events or contributions in your loved one’s life. Among the most basic and universal milestones, we recommend including the date and place of birth, parent’s names, name of spouse, education, and work. Follow your heart in this section; you may want to list events chronologically, or you may want to order events according to their importance in your loved one’s life.
This is a good place to write a short memory of your loved one. A story, saying, favorite recipe, or other eccentric trait will express your loved one’s personality to those that did not know them. This is your chance to express your loved one’s impact on his or her family and community. The most meaningful obituaries are those that come from the heart, are informative, and express what the deceased meant to his or her loved ones.
Family
An important part of every obituary is the listing of surviving family members and those whose deaths preceded your loved one. It is important to think carefully and double check this section, as forgetting to list important family members can be hurtful. For big extended families, it’s common to simply list the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Photos
Photos add a thoughtful reminder of the deceased, as well as a useful way for people recognize your loved one on the obituary page.
Sometimes people like to include both a recent and older photo, as a reminder of the full life of the person who has passed away. Keep in mind that adding a photo will add on to the expense of the obituary, although in many cases loved ones of the deceased feel that the cost is well worth it.
Service Information
You may find it helpful leave this part up to your funeral director. The essential information that needs to be listed is the time, date, and place of the service, along with the name of the officiant. If you have lost a loved one and need advice on what steps to take with the obituary and service, contact Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society. Our compassionate professionals are here to help you.
Call us at (877) 465-4337 today.
Speak Your Mind