What to Know about Obituaries
Obituaries
Obituaries are one of the first things associated with a funeral and one of the first things to occur in a funeral. They aren’t mandatory. However, if you decide to post one, learn what to say and where to post.
What is an obituary
An obituary is a published notice of a death. It typically includes a photograph and a short biography as well as details about funeral arrangements. People read obituaries to find out who has passed away in their community. Obituaries are also a valuable resource for genealogical research since they provide details about the life and death of a person.
When did the custom of publishing an obituary begin
The earliest obituaries appeared in the 1500s, shortly after the invention of the printing press. In the late 1800s, The Times of London began publishing more detailed obituaries and soon every newspaper included an obituary section. In the 1990s, online obituaries were introduced and have since become very popular.
Is an obituary mandatory
The purpose of an obituary is to commemorate the life of someone who has died and to notify people of any planned service. It is not intended to announce the creation of an estate or opening of a will. It is not required but is expected in many families and social circles. If family members simply want to announce the date and time of the funeral and not include a biography, a much shorter death notice can be published.
What are venues can publish an obituary
- Community newspaper or its website. Fee based.
- Online memorial website. Fee based.
- Social media: An obituary can be posted on social media on the accounts of the decedent, family and friends. Free.
- Email: An obituary can be send directly to the decedent’s social circle. This approach is the most direct form of communication. Free.
Newspapers
Newspapers have been the traditional venue for obituaries for decades. Unfortunately, due to the decrease in newspaper readership, the number of obituaries published in newspapers is shrinking each year. Many newspapers have begun to charge exorbitant fees for the publication of obituaries or have drastically reduced the size of the obituary section.
Online memorial websites
There are multiple websites offering online obituaries and memorials. They offer more flexibility for the volume and format of the content. They also allow interaction: friends and family can post condolences. Online obituaries tend to be less expensive than newspaper obituaries.
Social media
Obituaries on social media have the same pros and cons as any other online obituary. They have the additional advantage of being connected to the decedent’s network. The family can decide whether to allow comments.
What should be included in an obituary
- Biographical facts: Full name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, birthplace and location of home at time of death.
- Biographical data: Names of colleges attended and degrees earned, major employers, favorite hobbies, charity work and honors bestowed.
- Survivor information: Names of spouse or significant other, children, grandchildren, parents or siblings.
- Funeral or memorial service details: Date, time and location. May also include requests for charitable donations in memory of the deceased.
What should be excluded from an obituary
- Too many personal memories: The obituary should be about the deceased, not about the author of the obituary.
- Too much detail about the death: Focus on the positive aspect of the life of the deceased instead of too many details about the final illness.
- Too many clichés: Try to write the obituary from the heart instead of relying on timeworn clichés.
- Questionable humor: If you are not positive that the humor will be appreciated by everyone who reads the obituary, forgo the humor.
Reviewing an obituary
- Review the obituary – several times – before publication.
- Check for spelling and grammar, tone, facts, and completeness.
- Ask those who are closest to the decedent for their input and review.