How to Write an Effective Obituary in English

When a loved one passes away, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to writing their obituary. While it is traditional to use a formal tone and elaborate language when writing an obituary, it is important to remember that this is your opportunity to honor the person who has passed away, and to share memories of their life with others. Writing an obituary in a relaxed, conversational tone can make it easier to convey the personality and character of your loved one, and to create a lasting tribute that will be cherished by friends and family members.

One of the key elements of a relaxed obituary is using everyday language that is easy to understand. Write as if you are sharing stories about your loved one with friends, rather than crafting a formal announcement. Use simple sentence structures and avoid complicated terms or jargon. This will make the obituary more accessible to a wider range of readers, and will ensure that everyone can appreciate the memories and anecdotes that you share. By using a natural, relaxed tone, you can create an obituary that truly captures the essence of your loved one, and that celebrates their life in a meaningful way.

Section: Steps to Write an Obituary

Step 1: Gather Information about the Deceased

Before you start writing the obituary, you need to gather as much information about the deceased as possible. This includes their full name, date and place of birth, date and place of death, their parent’s and spouse’s name, education, career and notable achievements, and any hobbies and interests they may have had.

Step 2: Determine the Tone and Style

The tone and style of the obituary will depend on the personality of the deceased and the preferences of their family. It can be formal or informal, serious or light-hearted, and emotional or practical. Discuss the tone and style with the family before proceeding to write the obituary.

Step 3: Begin with a Clear and Concise Opening Statement

Start the obituary with a clear and concise opening statement that includes the deceased’s name, date and place of death, and age. This statement should capture the essence of the deceased’s life in a few sentences.

Step 4: Provide Biographical Information

After the opening statement, provide biographical information about the deceased, including their education, career, and notable achievements. Include any honors or awards they received, their contributions to their community, and any charitable work they did.

Step 5: Include Personal Information

Include personal information such as the deceased’s hobbies, interests, and passions. Mention any favorite hobbies or activities that they enjoyed. This information helps to give a more complete picture of the deceased as a person.

Step 6: Recognize Family and Friends

Recognize the deceased’s family and friends in the obituary. Mention their immediate family members, such as children, spouse, or parents, and close friends. It’s important to show the support system the deceased had throughout their life.

Step 7: Add Photographs

Add photographs to the obituary to help personalize it. Images should be clear and appropriate, showcasing the deceased’s life, achievements and personality. One or more pictures can be added to the obituary to give it an even more personal touch.

Step 8: Provide Details for Services and Donations

Include details on the funeral service, memorial service, wake or funeral, or other services the family is organizing. Also, provide information about where mourners can send flowers and where they can donate in memory of the deceased.

Step 9: Proofread and Edit

After completing the obituary, proofread and edit it carefully to ensure that it’s accurate, concise and without errors. Typos or factual errors can detract from the obituary’s impact.

Step 10: Share the Obituary with Family and Friends

Finally, share the obituary with family and friends to get their feedback and approval. Once everyone is satisfied with the content, it can be submitted to local newspapers or other publications. A well-crafted obituary informs and reminds people about the wonderful lives of those who have passed away, and it’s important to make it as impactful and memorable as possible.

Section Two: Step-by-step Guide on Writing an Obituary

1. Consider the Basic Information

The first step in writing an obituary is to gather all the relevant information about the departed person. This includes their full name, date of birth, date of death, and place of residence. You may also want to include their occupation, education background, and other notable achievements.

2. Decide on the Tone

When writing an obituary, you must choose the right tone that reflects the personality and character of the deceased. You should consider whether the person was serious, funny, or had a strong sense of humor. This will help you choose the right tone for the obituary.

3. Write an Introduction

The introduction of the obituary should be brief yet informative. It should include the name of the deceased, their age, and the date and place of their death.

4. Describe the Life of the Deceased

The main body of the obituary should describe the life of the departed person. You can include their childhood, education, career, and personal life. It’s important to highlight the most significant and interesting aspects of the person’s life.

5. Mention Their Achievements

It’s important to mention any significant achievements or awards that the deceased person has accomplished. This includes their professional success, personal accomplishments, and their role in the community.

6. Include Personal Anecdotes

Personal anecdotes are an essential part of an obituary. You can include stories and memories that are relevant to the departed person’s personality and interests. This will help readers connect with the person on a more personal level.

7. Acknowledge Surviving Family Members

It’s important to acknowledge surviving family members in the obituary. This includes immediate family members, such as spouses, children, and parents, as well as extended family members and close friends.

8. Mention Funeral Arrangements

You should include information about the funeral arrangements in the obituary. This includes the date, time, and location of the funeral or memorial service.

9. Consider Religious or Cultural Customs

If the deceased person had specific religious or cultural customs, you should include these in the obituary. This can include prayers, customs, or rituals that are significant to the person’s faith or culture.

10. Review and Edit

Once you have written the obituary, it’s important to review and edit it carefully. This includes checking for errors, ensuring that all relevant information is included, and making sure that the tone is appropriate and respectful. You may also want to have a friend or family member review the obituary to ensure that it accurately reflects the person’s life and personality.

Elements of a Good Obituary

Writing an obituary can be overwhelming and challenging, especially if it’s your first time doing it. It is important to remember that a good obituary is more than just a simple death announcement. It’s a tribute to the life and legacy of the deceased, a way to celebrate their accomplishments, and a source of comfort and closure for the family and friends they left behind. In this section, we’ll go over the key elements that make a good obituary.

The Basics

Before you start writing an obituary, make sure you have the following basic information about the deceased:

Having these basic facts in hand will help you get started in crafting an obituary that is accurate and complete.

A Life Well-Lived

An obituary is a chance to celebrate the life and achievements of the deceased. Here are some elements you can include in this part of the obituary:

Acknowledge Their Accomplishments

Talk about the work or passions that made the deceased tick. For example, if they worked in a specific profession, mention their contributions to their field. If they were an avid traveler, talk about some of their favorite destinations. Whatever their interests, this is the time to highlight their accomplishments and what they were passionate about.

Share Their Personality

Were they known for their humor, kindness, or intelligence? Try to capture the essence of who they were in a few sentences so that readers can get to know them better.

Share Some Memories

If you’re comfortable doing so, share a memory or two that captures your experience of the deceased, especially if it’s something you shared together. These personal stories often provide comfort to family and friends who are mourning.

Service Details

It’s essential to include information about the funeral or memorial services in an obituary. Here are some details you should consider adding:

Date, Time, and Location

Include the date, time, and location of the funeral or memorial service to help people plan to attend. If the service is private, be sure to mention that as well.

Charitable Donations

If the family has specified any charities or organizations, consider mentioning them in the obituary so that people can make donations in the name of the deceased.

Obituary Etiquette

Here are some guidelines for writing an obituary that is respectful and appropriate:

Keep It Simple

While you may want to talk a lot about the deceased, it’s important to keep it simple and succinct. The obituary shouldn’t be too long or too short, but rather just enough to capture the essence of who they were.

Avoid Negative Language

It’s important to remember that an obituary is a time to celebrate the life of the deceased. Be sure to avoid negative language, especially if the death was unexpected or tragic.

Be Considerate of the Family’s Wishes

Before submitting an obituary, double-check with the family to make sure you have their permission to publish it. Also, respect their preferences regarding anything that they don’t want to include in the obituary.

Check Your Facts

Be sure to double-check all the facts in the obituary before submitting it for publication. Check names, dates, and places to avoid any errors that could cause unnecessary grief for those who knew the deceased.

Writing the perfect obituary isn’t easy, but with these guidelines in mind, you can create a tribute that honors the life, legacy, and memory of your loved one.

Thank You for Celebrating a Life with Us

We hope this article has given you the guidance and support you need to create a meaningful and beautiful obituary. Remember, your words have the power to honor a life, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Thank you for sharing in this process with us, and we encourage you to visit us again for more inspiration and ideas. Let’s continue to celebrate the lives of those we love and keep their memories alive.