If you’ve been tasked with writing an obituary after a loved one’s death, you may feel overwhelmed. This is the ideal place to add funeral service details alongside personal attributes about the deceased. Here are five tips to help you get started.

How to Write an Obituary

1. Begin With Important Details

A great place to start is with the basics, such as your loved one’s name, nickname, and their age when they died. You can include when and how they died if those details were released publicly. A good practice is to ask someone else to proofread your writing to help eliminate mistakes.

2. Add the Family

You can also list the deceased’s close family members, including spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings, and parents. Be sure to add both the family members’ names and their relation to the deceased, and both living and deceased relatives can be included.

3. Include a Picture

If you plan on publishing the obituary in a newspaper or on the funeral home’s website, including a photo of your loved one adds a personal touch to the obituary. Try to find a picture that depicts both their spirit and how they preferred to be represented.

4. Describe Your Loved One

Obituaries are an opportunity to provide a snapshot of who your loved one was. You can list hobbies, clubs, and jobs they held. Discuss organizations important to them and other information that will give a full picture of the person they were in life.

5. Share Service Details

Importantly, the obituary can be used to list funeral services, including when and where viewings will be. You may also list where they will be buried and if you are accepting donations for a charity in lieu of flowers. Any special funeral service requests can also be made here, such as special colors to wear for the service or other special wishes by the deceased.

Since 1975, Arndt Funeral Home LLC has offered compassionate funeral services in Rochester, NY. Their professional, caring staff provides families in need with funeral arrangements to suit their loved ones. They also provide a selection of urns and caskets as well as funeral preplanning and cremation offerings. Call the funeral home at (585) 225-6350 to discuss your family’s needs, or visit their website for their FAQ page.