Writing an obituary is not easy, particularly if you do not consider yourself much of a writer, and you’re an immediate family member who is still grieving for the loss of your loved one.
However, an obituary is usually an expected part of any end-of-life proceedings. Even if you have not yet had to write an obituary, you may have to in the future, for distribution in local newspapers, or online on obituary websites and social media.
So, despite how painful it can be to do so, it’s important to know how to write good obituaries. And if you follow these 5 steps, you’ll be able to write an informative, caring, and informational Winnipeg obit for use in any kind of media.
- Begin With The Announcement Of Death
Most obituaries are only about 200 words, and top out at 300-400, so you need to efficiently use this space. Begin by announcing the death of a loved one, as well as the circumstances such as people present, and the place of death.
Many people feel that simply saying “died” is a bit too blunt, and prefer more euphemistic terms like “passed away” or “went to be with the Lord”. Do what feels right to you.
Note that you do not have to include the cause of death, unless you feel that it’s necessary, and that it’s important to do so. That’s up to you and your family.
- Provide A Biographical “Sketch”
As mentioned, space is at a premium in obituaries. An obituary is not a biography, but should still have some biographical information. Consider including things like:
- Date and place of birth
- Parent’s names, including mother’s maiden name
- Information about marriage
- Name of spouse
- Information about education, workplaces, military service
- Religious organizations
- Civil service or honors and accomplishments
In most cases, it’s easiest to list this information chronologically, but you can also list it in order of perceived importance. Choose what you include carefully, and do the best to summarize as much as you can in as few words as possible. This is often the most difficult and longest part of writing an obituary.
Don’t just stick with facts, either. You can mention the impact this person had on their family members, community, and other such emotions that are related to their passing. That’s perfectly acceptable.
- Mention Family Members
It’s a common practice to begin by listing individuals such as parents, spouses, or immediate family members who preceded the person in death, and then to list the people related to the individual who are still alive.
For the most part, it’s okay to only include immediate family members. Cousins, nieces, in-laws, and other extended family are commonly left out. However, make sure to think through who may be offended or hurt if they are left out of the obituary, and do what you can to make accommodations.
- Give Information About The Funeral Service
You’ll want to include information about the funeral service in the obituary, including:
- Time and full date of service
- Place of service with name of officiant
- Time, full date, and place of burial/interment (if applicable)
- Time, full date, and place of visitation (if applicable)
- Who is expected to attend (family, friends, co-workers, the general public, etc.)
This will ensure that everyone is aware of the details regarding the funeral service, as well as who is expected to attend.
- Conclude With A Special Message, If Applicable
If there is a special message you would like to include, it’s usually best to do it at the end of the obituary. For example, if the deceased was a cancer survivor or victim, you may want to add a line such as “In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in [person’s name] to the American Cancer Society.”
Follow These Tips To Write A Comprehensive Obituary
We know that the passing of a loved one is a time of grief, mourning, and sadness. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. By following it, you can memorialize your loved one, and ensure that they get a proper announcement of their passing.
