Losing a loved one is a difficult experience, and writing their obituary can be an emotional task. However, it is also an important way to honor their memory and share their story with others. This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to write an obituary that is both informative and respectful.

Before you begin writing, it is helpful to gather as much information as possible about the deceased. This includes their full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, occupation, education, family members, and any other relevant details. You may also want to collect any photos or other mementos that you would like to include in the obituary.

How To Write Obituary

Writing an obituary is a difficult task, but it is also an important way to honor the memory of a loved one. Here are 9 important points to keep in mind when writing an obituary:

• Include essential information. The obituary should include the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and occupation.
• Tell a story. The obituary should not just be a list of facts. It should tell a story about the deceased’s life and accomplishments.
• Be respectful. The obituary should be respectful of the deceased and their family.
• Be accurate. The obituary should be accurate and free of errors.
• Be concise. The obituary should be concise and easy to read.
• Proofread carefully. Before submitting the obituary, proofread it carefully for any errors.
• Consider including a photo. A photo can help to personalize the obituary and make it more memorable.
• Choose a meaningful quote. A meaningful quote can add depth and meaning to the obituary.
• List survivors. The obituary should list the deceased’s survivors, including their spouse, children, grandchildren, and siblings.

By following these tips, you can write an obituary that is both informative and respectful.

Include essential information. The obituary should include the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and occupation.

The most important information to include in an obituary is the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and occupation. This information helps to identify the deceased and provides a basic overview of their life.

• Full name: The deceased’s full name should be included in the obituary, including their first name, middle name, and last name.
• Date of birth: The deceased’s date of birth should be included in the obituary, using the format month, day, year (e.g., January 1, 1945).
• Date of death: The deceased’s date of death should be included in the obituary, using the format month, day, year (e.g., January 1, 1945).
• Place of death: The deceased’s place of death should be included in the obituary, including the city and state (e.g., New York, NY).
• Occupation: The deceased’s occupation should be included in the obituary, providing a brief description of their job title and the company or organization where they worked (e.g., teacher at XYZ School).

By including this essential information, you can help to create an obituary that is both informative and respectful.

Tell a story. The obituary should not just be a list of facts. It should tell a story about the deceased’s life and accomplishments.

An obituary is not just a list of facts. It is a story about the deceased’s life and accomplishments. When writing an obituary, it is important to focus on the person’s unique qualities and experiences.

• Start with a strong lead. The lead is the first sentence or two of the obituary, and it is important to make a strong impression. The lead should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read more.
• Use vivid language. When describing the deceased’s life and accomplishments, use vivid language that will help the reader to visualize the person and their experiences.
• Focus on the person’s impact. What did the deceased do that made a difference in the world? How did they touch the lives of others? By focusing on the person’s impact, you can help to create an obituary that is both meaningful and memorable.
• End with a strong closing. The closing is the last sentence or two of the obituary, and it should leave the reader with a lasting impression. The closing should summarize the person’s life and accomplishments, and it should also provide a sense of closure.

By following these tips, you can write an obituary that tells a compelling story about the deceased’s life and accomplishments.

Be respectful. The obituary should be respectful of the deceased and their family.

When writing an obituary, it is important to be respectful of the deceased and their family. This means avoiding any language that is offensive, insensitive, or inaccurate.

Here are some specific tips for writing a respectful obituary:

• Avoid using clichés or stereotypes. Clichés and stereotypes can make the obituary sound insincere or impersonal. Instead, focus on using specific and meaningful language that reflects the deceased’s unique personality and experiences.
• Be sensitive to the family’s wishes. The family may have specific requests about what to include or exclude from the obituary. It is important to respect their wishes, even if you do not agree with them.
• Proofread carefully for any errors. Errors in the obituary can be embarrassing and disrespectful to the deceased and their family. Before submitting the obituary, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

By following these tips, you can write an obituary that is both respectful and informative.

Be accurate. The obituary should be accurate and free of errors.

It is important to be accurate when writing an obituary. This means checking all of the facts carefully and making sure that there are no errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

• Check the facts. Before you start writing the obituary, check all of the facts carefully. This includes the deceased’s name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and occupation. You should also check the names of the deceased’s survivors.
• Proofread carefully. Once you have finished writing the obituary, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation. You should also check to make sure that all of the information is accurate.
• Have someone else proofread the obituary. Once you have proofread the obituary yourself, ask someone else to proofread it as well. This will help to ensure that there are no errors.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that the obituary is accurate and free of errors.

Be concise. The obituary should be concise and easy to read.

An obituary should be concise and easy to read. This means that it should be written in a clear and concise style, and that it should be easy to skim for the most important information.

• Use clear and concise language. Avoid using jargon or technical language that your readers may not understand. Instead, use clear and concise language that is easy to read and understand.
• Keep it brief. An obituary should be brief and to the point. It should not be longer than a few paragraphs, and it should focus on the most important information about the deceased’s life and accomplishments.
• Use subheadings. If the obituary is long, use subheadings to break it up into smaller sections. This will make it easier for readers to skim the obituary and find the information they are looking for.

By following these tips, you can write an obituary that is concise and easy to read.

Proofread carefully. Before submitting the obituary, proofread it carefully for any errors.

Once you have written the obituary, proofread it carefully for any errors. This includes checking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You should also check to make sure that all of the information is accurate.

• Read the obituary aloud. This will help you to identify any awkward phrasing or errors in grammar.
• Check for spelling and punctuation errors. Use a spell checker and grammar checker to help you identify any errors.
• Have someone else proofread the obituary. Once you have proofread the obituary yourself, ask someone else to proofread it as well. This will help to ensure that there are no errors.

By following these tips, you can help to ensure that the obituary is error-free.

Consider including a photo. A photo can help to personalize the obituary and make it more memorable.

A photo can help to personalize the obituary and make it more memorable. It can also help to give readers a sense of the deceased’s personality and appearance.

• Choose a high-quality photo. The photo should be clear and well-lit, and it should show the deceased in a flattering light.
• Get permission to use the photo. If the photo is not your own, you will need to get permission from the copyright holder to use it in the obituary.
• Consider the size and placement of the photo. The photo should be large enough to be easily seen, but it should not be so large that it dominates the obituary.

By following these tips, you can choose and include a photo that will help to personalize the obituary and make it more memorable.

Choose a meaningful quote. A meaningful quote can add depth and meaning to the obituary.

A meaningful quote can add depth and meaning to the obituary. It can also help to express the deceased’s personality and beliefs.

When choosing a quote, consider the following:

• The deceased’s personality and beliefs. The quote should reflect the deceased’s personality and beliefs. It should be something that they would have said or that they would have agreed with.
• The tone of the obituary. The quote should match the tone of the obituary. If the obituary is somber, the quote should be somber. If the obituary is more upbeat, the quote can be more lighthearted.
• The length of the quote. The quote should be short enough to be easily read and understood. It should not be so long that it dominates the obituary.

By following these tips, you can choose a meaningful quote that will add depth and meaning to the obituary.

List survivors. The obituary should list the deceased’s survivors, including their spouse, children, grandchildren, and siblings.

The obituary should list the deceased’s survivors, including their spouse, children, grandchildren, and siblings. This information helps to provide a sense of the deceased’s family and relationships.

When listing survivors, it is important to be as accurate and complete as possible. This includes listing all of the deceased’s children, even if they are adopted or stepchildren. It is also important to list the deceased’s spouse, even if they were separated or divorced at the time of death.

Here are some tips for listing survivors:

• Use specific titles. When listing survivors, use specific titles such as “spouse,” “children,” “grandchildren,” and “siblings.” Avoid using general terms such as “family” or “relatives.”
• List survivors in order of relationship. The survivors should be listed in order of relationship, with the deceased’s spouse listed first, followed by their children, grandchildren, and siblings.
• Include the survivor’s full name. When listing survivors, include their full name, including their first name, middle name, and last name.

By following these tips, you can create a list of survivors that is accurate, complete, and respectful.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about writing an obituary:

Question 1: What information should I include in an obituary?

Answer: The obituary should include the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, occupation, and survivors. You may also want to include a photo and a meaningful quote.

Question 2: How long should an obituary be?

Answer: Obituaries can be any length, but they are typically between 100 and 200 words.

Question 3: What tone should I use in an obituary?

Answer: The tone of the obituary should be respectful and informative. It should not be overly sentimental or sensational.

Question 4: Can I include personal anecdotes in an obituary?

Answer: Yes, you can include personal anecdotes in an obituary, but they should be brief and relevant to the deceased’s life and accomplishments.

Question 5: What should I do if I don’t have all of the information needed to write an obituary?

Answer: If you don’t have all of the information needed to write an obituary, you can contact the funeral home or crematorium for assistance.

Question 6: How can I make an obituary more unique and personal?

Answer: You can make an obituary more unique and personal by including photos, quotes, and anecdotes that reflect the deceased’s life and personality.

Question 7: What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an obituary?

Answer: Some common mistakes to avoid when writing an obituary include using clichés, being inaccurate, and being overly sentimental.

I hope this FAQ has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

In addition to the FAQ, here are a few tips for writing an obituary:

Tips

Here are a few tips for writing an obituary:

Tip 1: Start with a strong lead. The lead is the first sentence or two of the obituary, and it is important to make a strong impression. The lead should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read more.

Tip 2: Use vivid language. When describing the deceased’s life and accomplishments, use vivid language that will help the reader to visualize the person and their experiences.

Tip 3: Focus on the person’s impact. What did the deceased do that made a difference in the world? How did they touch the lives of others? By focusing on the person’s impact, you can help to create an obituary that is both meaningful and memorable.

Tip 4: End with a strong closing. The closing is the last sentence or two of the obituary, and it should leave the reader with a lasting impression. The closing should summarize the person’s life and accomplishments, and it should also provide a sense of closure.

By following these tips, you can write an obituary that is both informative and respectful.

I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

Conclusion

Writing an obituary can be a difficult task, but it is also an important way to honor the memory of a loved one. By following the tips in this article, you can write an obituary that is both informative and respectful.

Here is a summary of the main points:

• Include essential information, such as the deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and occupation.
• Tell a story about the deceased’s life and accomplishments.
• Be respectful of the deceased and their family.
• Be accurate and free of errors.
• Be concise and easy to read.
• Proofread carefully before submitting the obituary.
• Consider including a photo and a meaningful quote.
• List survivors, including the deceased’s spouse, children, grandchildren, and siblings.

By following these tips, you can create an obituary that is a fitting tribute to the deceased.

I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for reading.