When a family is grieving the loss of a loved one, family members are usually overwhelmed by all the decisions they have to make amidst this loss, grief-stricken! One of the details that have to be taken care of during those periods is – writing the obituary for your loved one. If you just lost your loved one, you might not know where to start with the obituary.
These tips might help make writing a modern obituary easier. Following a pattern might not send you into a spiral of grief.
- Announce the Death of Your Loved One
A good place to start off the modern obituary is by announcing the death of your loved one. Write down the name in the beginning and brief description of them, along with the deceased’s age and the day of their passing. All of this could be clubbed into one sentence and no more. Clear, short, and concise.
For example: On Tuesday, October 8, 2020, John Doe, a loving husband and father of three passed away at the age of 65.
- Provide the General Information
The next business order in a modern printed obituary includes some biographical data about the deceased, such as their date of birth, upbringing, educational qualification, information about marriage, the accomplishments over their lifetime, and the history of their work. Try to stay as concise as possible.
- Make it Personal
Now, try to write a personal note about the deceased and capture their spirit and being into their description. A paragraph of information, something personal, of the difference they made in yours or people’s life, will be most appropriate in this section of the obituary. Capture their personality and character, focusing on their hobbies, passions, and how their presence impacted those around them. Make it as personal as possible. While writing, remember to keep it short and sweet, especially because newspapers charge one by the line or word, depending upon the newspaper you put up the obituary in. So, according to your budget, shorten or lengthen the information provided.
- List the Family Members
While the tradition of mentioning loved ones of the deceased is customary and has been for a long while now, you don’t have to mention all family members – nieces, nephews, cousins, or grandkids. Only accommodate a general overview of the family members who passed away prior to the deceased and the ones surviving after their demise as well.
Those members of the family close to the deceased can be listed by name and others referred to more generally.
- Information on the Funeral and Service
Lastly, provide all information about the date, time, and location of the funeral service. You can choose to include all information regarding donations being made for the funeral service, flowers donations, and condolences in this section of the modern obituary. You may also add in the obituary the order of service for the funeral and memorial.
Putting all this information together could easily make one great and memorable obituary, leading to a massive funeral service turnout. Ensuring that your loved one is celebrated, loved, and bid a final farewell with the respect, love, and remembrance of the memorial service they deserved.
