An obituary is a published notice of someone’s death. A good obituary often includes a brief biography and information about memorial services.
Obituaries serve as a public record of a life lived, offering comfort to grieving loved ones and providing valuable information to the wider community. For example, a dahl obituary might focus on their love for gardening and the local dahlia society.
This article will explore the common components of an obituary, including biographical details, survivor information, and service arrangements. We’ll show you how to write a meaningful obituary that honors the life of the person who died.
Biographical Information: Painting a Portrait of the Deceased
An obituary serves to memorialize a life. The first step in honoring someone is to present the key facts that defined them.
Name and Identification
Start by stating the full name of the person who has passed away. Include any nicknames they were known by, or a name they preferred to use.
Next, provide their age at the time of death. If their age is particularly noteworthy – perhaps they passed away at a very young age, or lived a remarkably long life – you can acknowledge that.
Finally, clearly state their date of birth and date of death. This information is essential for record-keeping purposes.
Place of Birth and Death
Note the city and state where they were born. If they maintained a strong connection to their birthplace throughout their life, mention that.
Then, state the location where they passed away. If they were in a hospital or care facility, it’s appropriate to include the name of the institution.
Education and Occupation
List any high schools or colleges they attended. Highlight any academic achievements they earned, or extracurricular activities they were involved in.
Describe their profession or career path. Detail the kind of work they did, and any significant accomplishments they achieved.
Family and Relationships: A Legacy of Love
Family was everything to [Deceased’s Name]. They are survived by [Spouse/Partner’s Name], their beloved partner of [Number] years. Their love and companionship were a constant source of strength and joy.
[Deceased’s Name] leaves behind a loving family, including their children: [Child 1 Name] (and spouse, [Spouse’s Name], if applicable), [Child 2 Name], and [Child 3 Name]. They were a proud grandparent to [Grandchild 1 Name], [Grandchild 2 Name], and [Grandchild 3 Name], each of whom brought immense joy to their life. The family also includes [Number] great-grandchildren, [Great-Grandchild 1 Name] and [Great-Grandchild 2 Name].
[Deceased’s Name] is survived by their [Mother/Father’s Name], and siblings, [Sibling 1 Name] and [Sibling 2 Name]. They were preceded in death by their [Mother/Father’s Name], and [Sibling’s Name].
Beyond their immediate family, [Deceased’s Name] cherished many close friendships. Special mention goes to [Friend 1 Name] and [Mentor’s Name], who provided unwavering support and guidance throughout their life. They were also blessed with a large extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives who will deeply miss their presence.
Although many loved ones passed before [Deceased’s Name], their memory lived on. They were preceded in death by [Deceased Relative 1 Name] (relationship), and [Deceased Relative 2 Name] (relationship). Their spirits now reunite in peace.
Memorial and Funeral Arrangements: Honoring Their Memory
Details for services honoring [Deceased’s Full Name] are below. The family welcomes those who wish to pay their respects.
Funeral Service Details
The funeral service will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Location]. [Officiant’s Name], [Title and Affiliation, e.g., Reverend of St. Jude’s Church], will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate [Deceased’s Name]’s life.
Memorial Service or Celebration of Life
In lieu of a formal funeral, the family will also host a celebration of life at [Location] on [Date] at [Time]. This will be an informal gathering to share memories and stories of [Deceased’s Name]. Feel free to come and share your favorite moments.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to [Charity Name] in [Deceased’s Name]’s memory. Donations can be made online at [Website Address] or mailed to [Mailing Address].
[Deceased’s Name] was a passionate supporter of [Charity’s Cause, e.g., animal rescue] and dedicated much of their time to [Specific activity related to the charity, e.g., volunteering at the local shelter]. Your contribution will honor their commitment and continue their legacy of [Positive impact, e.g., compassion and service].
Closing Thoughts
[Deceased’s name] will be remembered for [his/her/their] [positive qualities, e.g., unwavering kindness, brilliant mind, infectious laughter] and for [his/her/their] remarkable contributions to [field, community, family]. [He/She/They] leaves behind a legacy of [impact, e.g., innovation, compassion, love] that will continue to inspire those who knew [him/her/them].
Our hearts go out to [his/her/their] family and friends during this difficult time. May they find comfort in the cherished memories they shared. This obituary serves as a public record of a life well-lived, ensuring that [Deceased’s name]’s story will be remembered for generations to come.