It can be tough to think clearly and stay productive when dealing with grief after the loss of a loved one. Though a funeral home can handle many of the logistics on your behalf, writing the obituary may require some of your input. Fortunately, with a quick checklist, you can put together a compassionate way to notify everyone of the passing.

How to Write an Obituary

1. Include the Loved One’s Information

You’ll want to include enough information to clearly identify the lost loved one. This includes their full name, nicknames they went by, and date and place of birth. You should also include the date of death, but it’s not necessary to include the cause. However, it may be relevant if they succumbed to an illness that they wanted to draw attention to. For example, someone who passed due to cancer may want people to donate to the American Cancer Society.

2. Summarize Their Life

Obituaries are generally just a few short paragraphs, so don’t worry about capturing every aspect of someone’s life. Focus on a few key details to personalize it, such as major accomplishments, passions, hobbies, and memorable personality traits. If you’re having trouble writing, ask others who were close to the deceased to share their favorite anecdotes. This can help give you a new perspective on your loved one and give readers a fuller picture of the person’s life.

3. List Family Members

Obituaries often feature an overview of the lost loved one’s surviving family. Gather up a list of any spouses, parents, siblings, and children. You can also include the names of any pets the person was close to. If there isn’t enough room in the newspaper after finishing the obituary, this section can easily be cut down later.

4. Include Funeral Details

Once you’ve finalized the funeral plans, add the name and address of the funeral home, date and time of the service, and, if applicable, the location of the burial. You may also want to specify any desired contributions. If the lost loved one was passionate about a certain cause, for example, you can request people donate to it in lieu of flowers.

At Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, we understand that it’s important to grieve after the loss of a loved one. That’s why we’ve been helping families plan personalized funerals since the summer of 1999. Located in Trumbull, CT, our family-owned and -operated facility offers a range of services, including funeral pre-planning, death notices, and burials and cremations, to help take the burden off you and honor your loved one. We can tailor the ceremony to best suit the departed; in the past, we’ve conducted services with music, poetry, and formal eulogies. Visit our website to read about our services or call (203) 373-1013.