Share:

How do you sum up a loved one’s life? Putting their story into words for an obituary can be challenging and emotional, but it is an essential part of funeral planning. As the team at Silver Creek Mortuary in Gallup, NM, explains, following a few simple practices can help ensure that you honor your loved one’s legacy with the right words.

3 Essential Tips for Writing an Obituary

1. Basic Facts

Every obituary should include a few basic facts, including the individual’s full name, any well-known nicknames, the person’s place and date of birth, and the death date. It is also common practice to list surviving and deceased family members, starting with the spouse and children. Some writers choose to list the cause of death in an obituary, but this is not necessary. Ultimately, it is up to the family whether or not they want to disclose this information.

2. The Life Story

funeral planningMost obituary columns don’t provide much space, so you’ll need to keep your loved one’s life story simple and concise. Be specific when referring to their experiences and achievements (such as military service, college graduation, or work) to make their history more compelling to readers. Hobbies, charitable activities, and unusual life experiences personalize the narrative.

3. Memorial Information

Obituaries are typically written after funeral planning is complete. Be sure to give other well-wishers the opportunity to memorialize your loved one by providing the date, time, and place for the memorial service. If plans have not yet been finalized, it is common practice to provide contact information that other mourners can use to find out when plans have been made.

From selecting caskets to personalizing burial services, there are many tasks involved in funeral planning. However, this challenging period doesn’t have to be faced alone. Silver Creek Mortuary has provided families with the comfort and support they need since 2003. To learn more about how their caring team can help you with funeral planning, call (505) 371-3690, and visit them online to view current obituaries.

tracking