Some obituaries usually go viral. Have you ever asked yourself why? Such obituaries usually honor and capture every important detail about the deceased. The main focus is currently on how we can compose such obituaries for our loved ones.
Below are six tips on how to write an obituary for your loved one:
1. The Obituary Should be Written in Present Tense
Besides writing the obituary in the past tense, it is advisable to use the letter form. You’ll start writing with present tense and later on use past tense. By utilizing such an approach, you’ll feel like you’re communicating with the deceased directly. When you use the letter form, it will feel like you’re addressing someone close to the deceased. Make sure you’ve told them something positive about the deceased that other people didn’t know.
2. Don’t Feel Like the Obituary Has to Be Funny.
Some obituaries usually have some funny moments meant to enlighten everyone’s mood as they celebrate a life well-lived. At times the jokes are not recommended depending on the crowd that you’re addressing.
The humor is not suitable for people who are more traditional and serious. Also, a person’s death can be too tragic such that jokes are not encouraged during the burial ceremony. For instance, the deceased may have died during a medical procedure such as a kidney transplant. In such instances, humor is not encouraged at all. Ensure everything is brief such there will be very few lines that will focus more on the remarkable impression that the person left when they passed away.
You should use your judgment to determine what is appropriate. For those who knew the deceased personally, there is a likelihood you can assess the style and the tone that will suit the audience.
3. You Should Ask Yourself Some Questions About the Deceased
The person writing the obituary should engage someone close to the deceased and ask them about:
• Their favorite memory about their loved one.
• Ask them to describe the personality of the deceased. They should look into what people had to say about him/her.
• Ask about the hobbies of the deceased or the hobbies they liked engaging in.
• Ask them about some of the major accomplishments the deceased had.
• Ask them about the personality traits that made the deceased person a special being.
• Ask them about what they loved most about the deceased.
It is also good to look into how the deceased would like to be remembered. How will they be remembered genuinely by their loved ones? Ensure there is a balance between the two, and you’ll eventually come up with a good obituary.
4. Write Down the Main Facts First
Any obituary is supposed to contain details about the life and death of the deceased. For starters, ensure the name has been included, their birthplace, where they died, and you can include the cause of death in some instances. After that, you can include other details such as the biographical staples, including where they got married, and other details.
5. Reaching Out to Family and Friends for Memorable Stories
The main reason why an obituary is deemed lovely is because it contains important information about the deceased. Make sure the clearest memories are present in the obituary. Always ask yourself what comes to your mind when you think of that person. Engage the family members and see what they have to say about the memories they have about the deceased.
6. Review for Mistakes
You should always countercheck everything. After ensuring that you’re satisfied with the final product, you should solicit a review from third parties. Ensure you have a clear mind when handling everything considering the obituary is written during a time of grief.
Final Thoughts
By adhering to each of the tips listed above, you’ll come up with a good obituary that will honor the deceased party.
