Planning a funeral is not an easy job, and one of the more challenging aspects of the process is writing the obituary. Many families struggle to find the best way to honor their deceased loved one while sharing information about their passing. If you are unsure how to begin, here are some tips to help you craft a fitting obituary.

What to Avoid When Writing Obituaries

1. Focusing Solely on Death

While the obituary is to announce someone’s passing, you do not want to make that the primary focus. The document is meant to inform readers of specific details pertaining to the deceased, such as their birth date, job, or hobbies.

It’s also a way to celebrate the individual. Don’t forget to include details about your loved one that made their life memorable and meaningful, such as how many children or grandchildren survived them.

2. Including Too Many Details About the Funeral

A main reason for writing an obituary is to announce the funeral. However, don’t go into too much detail about the service to avoid taking away from celebrating the deceased.

For instance, avoid mentioning specific information such as the type of flowers the family wants or the casket description. Instead, stick to dates, times, locations, and, if necessary, the dress code.

3. Thanking Individuals

Thanking people in an obituary can be tricky. You can accidentally overlook someone significant to the deceased or someone who helped them emotionally or physically before they passed. The exception to this mistake is specifically thanking people the deceased wanted to mention. Otherwise, thank you notes are more appropriate.

If you recently lost a loved one, the compassionate staff at Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc. is here to support you and your family. For more than a century, this funeral home has helped families in Canandaigua, NY, honor their loved ones through respectful funeral, cremation, and memorial services. Their helpful team will assist you with every aspect of the funeral planning process, including writing and submitting the obituary. To learn more about their services, call (585) 394-4280 or visit them online today.