Whether it is posted in a newspaper or online, an obituary notifies the public about someone’s death. If you’re trying to write an obituary for a loved one, it can be difficult to remember everything it needs to include. These three tips will be helpful when it comes to knowing what to include in an obituary.
Biographical Information
When writing obituaries, you should always include the deceased’s full name including any nickname he or she used, his or her age, when and where he or she died, and the cause of death. Some people choose to omit the cause of death, especially if it was violent.
The obituary should also include the marital status, the name of a surviving spouse, the names of any surviving children, and the deceased’s place of employment. Obituaries are often used in genealogical research so including this information can be important to someone in the future. In addition, many relatives will keep copies of obituaries for family scrapbooks.
Funeral Service Information
If the funeral service is public, the date, time, and location should be included in the obituary. Funeral home obituaries will also state if the family is having a private service and inform well-wishers about sending contributions to a charity or a memorial fund in lieu of buying flowers.
When to Publish Obituaries
You should plan to have an obituary published one to two days prior to the funeral service, whether it is public or private. This gives relatives, friends, and others time so that they can change their schedules and attend the service or to send a condolence card if they cannot attend.
Some funeral homes offer forms to help write obituaries so that nothing is left out because the family is grieving. Even if the obituary is going to be published in the paper, it may also be added to the funeral home’s website. For more information visit contact Hansen Mortuary at (208) 436-5636 for more details. You can connect with them on Facebook for more information!
