An obituary shares and celebrates the life of your loved one with the community. It also informs friends and acquaintances of the person's departure so that they have the opportunity to pay their respects at the funeral. While it may seem like a daunting task amid the grief, this guide helps simplify the process by breaking down the ins and outs. 

How to Prepare an Obituary

Before you write the obituary, you need to consider where it's going to be published. Typically, families choose to include the announcement in both modern and traditional formats, including the funeral home's website and local newspapers in communities where your loved one lived throughout their life. The combination of mediums ensures it reaches the greatest number of people. 

While digital publication is seldom limited on space, printed newspapers usually limit or charge based on the word count or inch. For that reason, determine the length beforehand. You also need to know the paper's deadline for submission to ensure you've completed the final draft in time. Additionally, gather documents and information regarding your loved one's life so you have everything you need, including the funeral details. 

What Information to Include

Begin the obituary with the basic facts of your loved one's life and the circumstances of their passing, including:

• Name
• Age
• Location
• Date of death
• Location of passing

The cause of death isn't a necessity, but it's up to the family if you want to include it or not. Next, provide a brief overview of their life. Typically, this section includes information regarding their birth, parents, and marriage, along with highlights of their accomplishments. To make it memorable, try to focus on unique aspects of their life that showcase their personality, such as hobbies or interesting quirks. 

After covering the individual, list immediate family members — both surviving and those who preceded them in death. In the final paragraph, provide dates, times, and locations for any visitation, funeral, memorial, or burial services. You can end on that or follow with a special message that may include a favorite quote, line of poetry or music, or even an acknowledgment of gratitude to a particular organization, like a hospital. Once complete, don't forget to choose a photograph to include with the obituary. 

The compassionate staff at Shirley Brothers Mortuaries & Crematory understands the challenges families face in the aftermath of a loss. Serving the Marion County, IN, area since 1898, the family-owned funeral home provides personalized support. From writing obituaries to planning the funeral, they offer heartfelt guidance every step of the way. Visit them online to learn more about their services, and direct any questions to a helpful team member today at (317) 897-9606.