If you’ve lost a loved one, writing an obituary can help you deal with your grief.
The process of writing an obituary helps you to organize your thoughts and feelings about the person who died and to create a tribute that honors their life.
An obituary is a notice of a person’s death, but it also tells their story, celebrating the life they lived. And while it may be hard to see past the sadness right now, an obituary can help family and friends find comfort in fond memories and it can also serve as an important newspaper record for future generations.
The obituary is a public notice of a death. It offers the deceased’s loved ones an opportunity to thank those who helped during a difficult time, pay tribute to the life that was lived, and provide closure for friends and family members who are mourning. Writing an obituary can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Best Tips On How To Write An Obituary
Writing an obituary is not everyone’s idea of a good time. It’s sad, it’s stressful, and, frankly, we’d rather do just about anything else than sit down and write one.
Writing an obituary is one of the most difficult things you can be asked to do. You’re tasked with distilling a person’s life into a few short paragraphs — and sharing only the most important details with friends, family, and the community.
Writing an obituary isn’t something many of us think about until we need to. Maybe you’ve already been asked to write an obituary and are feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by the task. Maybe you know someone who recently passed away and wants to write an obituary to preserve their memory and share it with others.
The death of a loved one is devastating enough — you shouldn’t compound your grief by struggling to write an obituary. It’s not easy, but we’re here to help.
- Don’t feel pressured to write everything at once. Writing an obituary can be a difficult and time-consuming process. You can always begin by writing a draft and then return to it later to make edits.
- Include some background information about your loved one’s life at the beginning of the obituary. A few sentences about where they were born, their childhood and education, and their early professional experience will help readers learn more about them.
- Summarize your loved one’s career or professional achievements. Include any awards or recognition they received for their work.
- Include personal details about your loved one’s life, such as their interests and hobbies. If they had any unique talents or qualities that distinguished them from others, include them as well.
- Include information on any family members who have passed away prior to your loved one’s death. Also include information on surviving family members, such as their spouses or children, along with their ages and places of residence.
- If you wish, a final paragraph can be used to acknowledge the people who have been especially supportive of your family during this difficult time. This would also be the place to express your appreciation to those who may have made a donation or contribution in memory of your loved one. You could simply say, “The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who were so supportive during this difficult period.”
What All To Remember When Writing The Perfect Obituary?
When writing an obituary, there is no right or wrong way to do it. It is a written notice of someone’s death that includes some facts about his or her life, but it can also include personal stories, favorite memories, and a message from the family.
Writing an obituary is a way to honor your loved one’s life as well as to announce their death. It can be a painful process, but it’s a way to celebrate your loved one’s passions, achievements, and surviving family.
An obituary is just one more way to help you and your family honor your loved one’s legacy.
With the right approach and some guidance from those who’ve gone before you, writing an obituary can actually be a rewarding experience. Just because you’re writing about death doesn’t mean the process has to be depressing or tedious.
