When a loved one passes away, it may feel like no words could do their legacy justice. This is even truer in the hours and days following the loss. However, as a close friend or family member, you have the power to commemorate their life with a thoughtfully crafted obituary. If you’re not sure where to begin, use the following guide to write a piece that you will feel honored publishing or reading during the memorial service.

Advice for Obituary Writing

Length

While you might be able to write page after page about the impact your loved one had on the world, it’s important to set a general word count before you start writing. This will allow you to structure the piece to fit the limit as well as inform your publishing budget, as newspapers charge by line. A standard obituary will be about three to four paragraphs long—enough to paint a complete picture of your loved one while still remaining short and sweet.

Content

If you can’t decide how to structure your words, always start out with the most basic information: an announcement of your loved one’s passing. To inform the reader of the subject, mention your friend or relative’s name, title (such as father or husband), and the date and age at which they passed.

From there, you can offer the reader a brief overview of their life, starting with where they grew up, went to college, and started their career. As the piece progresses, it should get more personal—those who have invested into their reading experience will be happy to find personal anecdotes about the deceased as well as hobbies and other life aspects they might not have known about.

Editing & Proofreading

After you’ve finished the first draft, allow yourself time to revisit the piece before considering it done. You can use this time to add things you may have forgotten or edit out sections that seem to get too specific with details. Next, share the obituary with other family members or close friends of your loved one to hear their opinions, especially if the piece mentions them. It’s important that everyone closest to the deceased feels like you have written an accurate and dignified portrayal and that they have the chance to add their own suggestions.

If you are looking for more assistance with the funeral planning process, turn to Johnson Funeral Home of Monroeville, AL. They have been helping families arrange beautiful celebrations of life for over 65 years, and they can help you write the ideal obituary. To learn more about their offerings, such as burial and cremation, visit the website or call (251) 575-3222 today.