Losing a loved one is never easy and writing their obituary can be difficult when you’re mourning. If you’re responsible for writing one, a funeral home director can assist you with the process. When you’re gathering your thoughts, keep these details in mind.

Details Every Obituary Should Include

1. Basic Biographical Information

This section should include the deceased’s full name and any nicknames they were known by, their city of residence at the time of death, place of birth, and career or special achievements. It should only be a couple of paragraphs unless you feel compelled to write more.

2. Education & Employment Details

Along with details on their career, you can add a brief overview of their education, too. Think of the academic and career highlights your loved one was most proud of and feature them in the write-up.

3. Military Service

If your loved one served, you should list their years of service, the branch in which they served, and any titles they had. If their time was spent overseas or in combat, note that as well.

4. Organization Memberships

Many people are involved in charity or nonprofit work in their lifetime. Others serve as board members on special committees or in organizations. Including this information is a way to honor their community service. 

5. Survivors’ Names

Surviving family members and close friends can be listed. This may mean the names of a surviving spouse, children, and siblings, but it is common to only list the number of grandchildren. 

6. Funeral Details

Including the funeral service details and funeral home location allows those who knew the deceased to pay their respects. Note the time and date as well as the street location of the funeral home for the sake of anyone coming out of town. 

7. Contributions 

Many people want to express their condolences, so you should note if monetary donations, flowers, or donations to a specific charity are preferred. This is a personal decision that should be made by the surviving family.

If you need assistance writing an obituary, the funeral home directors at  Stine-Kilburn Funeral Home of Lebanon, OH, can help. For more than 30 years, their compassionate staff has helped families through the process of honoring a lost loved one. Call (513) 932-1239 today or contact the funeral home online for more information.