After the loss of a loved one, you’ll need to create an obituary to announce their passing and the funeral or memorial service. This notice can be published in newspapers and online to let community members know without having to speak to each one personally. While you may not have written an obituary before, they tend to have a simple, standard form. Here’s what to include.

How to Write an Obituary

1. Details About Your Loved One

Start with your loved one’s full name and any common nicknames they may have been known by in the community. You can also include a brief biography about their occupation and any groups they were associated with, which will help identify them. You don’t need to add detailed memories or thoughts about their life; these should be shared in the eulogy at the funeral or memorial service.

2. Family Members

Listing both living and deceased family members in the obituary acknowledges their place in your loved one’s life. It also helps the living find the obituary if needed by making it easier to search for online.

List the names of immediate family members such as spouses, children, and children’s spouses first; then include grandchildren, great-grandchildren, parents, siblings, and even more distant relatives and in-laws. Pets can also be included. If the list is long, you can shorten it by writing numbers of children, grandchildren, and siblings instead of names.

3. Practical Information

If someone is reading your loved one’s obituary, they may be interested in attending the wake, funeral, or memorial service. If these events will be open to the public, include the dates, times, and location. You may also want to add requests for those who knew your loved one, such as where to send flowers or donations.

For help with the obituary and other aspects of planning a funeral or memorial service, contact Brown Funeral Homes & Cremations in Martinsburg, WV. A family owned business, serving Berkeley County for 140 years, they’re experienced, compassionate, and offer everything you need, from caskets to resources on grieving. For more information on their services, call (304) 263-8896 or visit their website.