Define Purpose

Define or at least understand the purpose for writing an obituary - beyond the goal of making it a well-written, final tribute to the subject. This step is the foundation of the obituary writing process and it will help you proceed with confidence. Consider the various reasons why obituaries are written, recognizing that the subject does not have to be deceased or actively dying at the time. Let’s examine a few purposes for writing an obituary:

Funeral (or Memorial) Program

A funeral (or memorial) program is a document that is provided by the family at a service in honor of the deceased subject. In general, a funeral (or memorial) program will have an obituary, pictures of the subject, order of service, list of pallbearers and flower bearers, poems, and acknowledgments. The obituary in the funeral (or memorial) program may be different from the obituary (or death notice) that is placed in newspapers. The finish product depends on format requirements. Additionally, the obituary in the funeral (or memorial) program will likely be written by family members, friends, the subject, or some other non-journalist. It is common for the subject or family to hire professional writers.

Life Planning Tool

Many people believe that writing goals on a sheet of paper is an act that helps to facilitate desired outcomes. Therefore, journaling is encouraged. Coaches and other professionals are also encouraging people to write their own obituaries. The first approach is writing about your life and the legacy you will leave (if you died today). The other approach is writing about your life and legacy as you desire them. Both methods are profound exercises and have been known to change lives.

Publication

As stated earlier, an obituary may be published in newspapers for public notification. Additionally, it is common to publish obituaries online at Web sites such as http://www.legacy.com. Communities or professions are known to publish the obituaries of their members. Requirements for submitting information varies. You may be responsible for submitting a completed obituary or just biographical information. There may also be word limits and fees. It is a good idea to contact the respective publications for more information as soon as possible.

Student Assignment

Students seeking a degree in journalism, and even students taking classes in public speaking, English, or effective communications are often assigned the task of writing obituaries. Without exception, the completed products will be as different as the subjects and students’ abilities. Nevertheless, there are basic steps for writing obituaries (which are simply mini-biographies).