How To Write An Obituary
A simple checklist for making sure your obituary honours and informs.
When a loved one has passed away, writing an obituary that honours their life can seem overwhelming. You want to celebrate your loved one’s life and offer happy and meaningful memories. You are helping to ease the pain of others simply by telling a story about your loved one.
We hope that this checklist will remove some of the stress and pressure and allow you to honour your loved one. Remember, your funeral arranger is an experienced professional, and he/she is a valuable resource for writing the obituary.
1. Include all the basic details about the person’s life.
You don’t have to include all of this information, but here are the basics that are often included in an obituary. Choose the elements that are most relevant to your loved one:
- Age
- Any familial survivors
- Education
- Vocation
- When the person retired, if relevant
- Any military affiliations
- Any volunteer affiliations
2. Include funeral information.
Family and friends often rely on an obituary for information when and where a person’s life will be celebrated. You can include:
- Date and time of the funeral
- Place the funeral is being held
- Any viewing details
- Requests for donations in lieu of flowers
