The final goodbye

How to Write an Obituary

3 September 2015 by Monica Ruiz

An obituary is not just a way of announcing the death of a loved one, but, like the funeral service itself, it is a way of honouring their life. Writing one can be painful, but it can often prove to be a vital part of the healing process. However, some may find themselves struggling to know to how best to express themselves, especially since they often have to be brief. Follow this guide to help get yourself started.

Decide What You'd Like to Include

The easiest way to write an obituary is by listing what you'd like to include before you begin. A typical template consists of five parts – the announcement, biographical information, survivor information, funeral arrangements, and where to send contributions –these can be used to form a general outline. You should also include the full name, age, date of birth, and the name of a significant other (whether they are alive or deceased).

Aside from this, people often like to include details concerning a loved one's passions and hobbies, their noticeable accomplishments, and what they meant to the people they left behind.

Look at Your Local Paper

The majority of newspapers will need obituaries to be written in a specific style; if you don't follow it, it's likely that the obituary will have to be rewritten, a process which often introduces errors. Grab a copy of the local paper to get an idea of the style, or contact them directly to request their guidelines.

Remember to do this for each newspaper if you plan on submitting to several, and check whether they print online if this is important to you.

Know Your Price Limit

As most newspapers charge by the column inch, a long obituary can end up costing hundreds of dollars. It's best to find out the word limit ahead of time so you don't have to edit the finished obituary.

Your funeral director may offer to include an obituary as part of the funeral package. In this case, you will need to find out which price options are available and ask them for any guidelines. A funeral home will probably be able to provide a template for you to work from.

Know the Deadline Time

The obituary will commonly give information regarding the upcoming funeral service, and you'll naturally want people to have plenty of time to make their arrangements, so make sure you get the obituary in before the newspaper's deadline if you'd like it printed the next day. As smaller items, exceptions can sometimes be made for obituaries, but this should not be counted upon.

Writing an obituary is never an easy process, but keeping this guide in mind while doing so will help you get through it.

For more information, contact a company like Lee Adam Funeral Services.

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