An obituary announces a death, tells a little of a life, and gives people the details they need to say goodbye. It does not have to be perfect. It needs to be true and written with love.
What to include
The Parts of an Obituary
- The announcement. Full name, age, hometown, and the date and place of death.
- A life in brief. Date and place of birth, parents, education, work, military service, faith and community.
- What they loved. Hobbies, passions, the things that made them who they were. A small, specific detail often says the most.
- The family. Surviving relatives, and those who passed before them.
- Service details. Date, time and place of the visitation, service and burial, and whether it is private.
- How to remember them. Memorial donations or where to send flowers, if the family wishes.
A Simple Outline You Can Fill In
[Full name], [age], of [town], passed away [day, date] at [place], surrounded by family. Born [date] in [place] to [parents], [he/she/they] [work or role]. [He/She/They] loved [something specific], and will be remembered for [a quality or story]. [Name] is survived by [family]. [He/She/They] was preceded in death by [family]. Friends may call [day, time, place]. A service will be held [day, time, place], with burial at [cemetery]. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to [charity or cause].
A few tips
Writing With Care
Start with the facts
Get names, dates and places right. Ask another family member to check them.
Keep it personal
Share a story, a saying, or a favorite place. It helps readers see the person.
Read it aloud
It helps you hear what sounds true, and catch any mistakes.
Let us help
Our directors write and edit obituaries with families every week, and can place them in the newspapers you choose.
We Will Share It
When you work with Shorac, we publish the obituary on our obituaries page, where friends can share condolences, light a candle and send flowers. We can also submit it to the newspapers you choose.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an obituary be?
There is no rule. Newspapers often charge by length, so families sometimes write a short notice for the paper and a fuller tribute for the funeral home website.
Should I include the cause of death?
That is entirely up to your family. Many obituaries do not mention it.
Can you help write it?
Yes. Call (740) 264-0563 and our directors will help you write and place it.
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Need help finding the words? We would be glad to help. Call us any time at (740) 264-0563.