In the wake of a loved one's death, there are many arrangements to be made. In addition to planning a funeral and contacting relatives, another important but difficult step is writing an obituary. To help make this process easier, follow these steps to ensure your loved one's obituary has all the information it needs.

What Should You Include In an Obituary? 

1. Death Announcement

Begin the obituary with a single sentence that briefly states your loved one's name, age, and date of death. You can also include the circumstances of death if you wish, which many people choose to do if the death was sudden or caused by an illness. The cause of death also might be necessary if you're asking people to donate to charity, research, or another cause in your loved one's name.

2. Brief Biography

The following sentences should summarize the life of your loved one. Include when and where they were born, their education, their occupation, and any hobbies they enjoyed or accomplishments they were proud of.

3. Immediate Family 

If you're comfortable, it's customary to mention immediate family members by name, both living and deceased. This list typically includes parents, children, grandchildren, and siblings, but not cousins or other extended family members unless they're well-known in the local community. For large families, you can list the number of extended family members, without listing every name. 

4. Funeral Details 

End the obituary with the date, time, and location of the funeral or memorial service. Remember that this obituary will be public, so don't include details for any private events, such as a family gathering. The end of the obituary is also the appropriate place to add instructions for sending flowers or donations.

5. Photo 

The photo you choose for the obituary will be used for printed materials at the funeral, so select a photo that shows your loved one as they should be remembered. Consider using an image of them doing a favorite activity or laughing to add more personality.

If you need help arranging a funeral for a loved one, contact Koch Liefer Funeral Home in Red Bud, IL. They have grief counselors who can help you and your family through the mourning process, and their compassionate funeral directors can answer all of your questions. From traditional memorial services to cremations and religious ceremonies, they will work with you to find the perfect way to remember your loved one. Visit their website to learn how they can help, or call (618) 282-2325 to speak with a staff member.