What is an Obituary?
Crafting a memorable obituary is an art. As a professional writer, I can help you describe what made a person special. What made your mom laugh? Dad loved to fish. Remind people about his tale of the one that got away. Grandma was known for her cooking. What was her favorite dish? These details tell the story of a person’s life.
​
My loved one died. How do I create an obituary?
Writing an obituary is very difficult for someone who has never written one before. Remember, this is the final word on a person’s life. You want to capture the essence of that person, not just the dry facts of when he or she was born, got married, graduated, etc. Obituaries are a treasured keepsake. An obituary is also a historical document. Years from now a descendant doing genealogical research may come across the obituary, which can provide invaluable information.
A well-written obituary transforms unforgettable lives into unforgettable stories.
Crafting a memorable obituary is an art. As a professional writer, I can help you describe what made a person special. What made your mom laugh? Dad loved to fish. Remind people about his tale of the one that got away. Grandma was known for her cooking. What was her favorite dish? , capture the essence of individuals, their joys, sorrows, triumphs, and milestones. Describe what made them laugh, their foibles, a special memory or a story told again and again. amusing trait, annoying habit, witty turn-of-phrase help bring the loved one alive on the page..
​
Another tip is to include the name of the funeral home in the obituary. If someone reads the obituary and wants to get in touch with a family member to express sympathy, the funeral home can help.
​
Many people skip the step of publishing an obituary in a newspaper due to the high cost. Most funeral homes and crematoriums have websites where you can publish the obituary free of charge. You can then copy the link and share on your own social media networks, like Facebook.
Pre-need
I have also been hired to write an obituary “pre-need.” This is sometimes done by a person who knows how hard it is to write an obituary and wants to make sure it’s done right. Some people also want to spare their families the difficult experience of writing an obituary so they hire me to write it before it is needed. I advise them to give a copy to the director of the funeral home they intend to use and a copy to a trusted friend or family member.
Here's How it Works
I will write an obituary for your loved one. I also work with individuals who wish to create their own obituary before it’s needed. The completed obituary is yours to share as you see fit. I’ll help you decide how and where to share it if you’d like.
Here are some ideas:
• Ask your funeral home director to post on the funeral home website. (Most will do this free of charge)
• Submit to your local newspaper (Warning! This option is likely to cost you, as most newspapers now charge to print obituaries)
• Share on social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Email to friends and family
• Send to your house of worship for inclusion in a newsletter
• Give a copy to your college to print in an alumni magazine.