“Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.”
— Terri Guillemets (Author)
One truth all of us are aware of is that ‘Death is inevitable’. Everyone experiences the agonizing loss of a loved one at some point in their lives. I understand how overwhelming it can be to deal with all the flooding emotions. But at this moment of despair and grief, there is one way you can honor and pay tribute to the deceased, and that is by creating a meaningful obituary.
I have seen people struggling with crafting an obituary and to be honest, it is understandable. Creating something that serves both practical and emotional purposes can be quite challenging at such solemn times. To help you with this, I have compiled eight effective obituary components for a heartfelt commendation.
1. Start with Essential Information
An obituary also serves the purpose of telling the reader about the deceased’s life. So, you should start by giving a brief introduction to the person. Include the essential factual information about them, such as their full name, age, date of birth and death, etc.
DO YOU KNOW? Many obituaries published in newspapers are paid, with the family charged based on length and space.
2. Include a Brief Biographical Sketch Highlighting Personal Achievements and Interests
Here, you would want to tell everyone about the significant events of their life. You can include details about their career, profession, hobbies, interests, or any other noteworthy achievement of theirs.
For instance, if it is about someone who served in the military and was awarded accolades, then you should include this in the obituary.
3. List of Surviving Family Members
This section shows the continued legacy of the person. The proper way to make this list is to add the names of relatives in the order of proximity. You can follow this order while adding the names, survived by spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, and so on.
4. Share Funeral or Memorial Service Details
An obituary also acts as a formal invitation for the family and friends who want to attend the funeral and offer their condolences. Therefore, adding the details of funeral and memorial services is essential.
Add the date, time, location, visiting hours, and any other information that you feel should be integrated.
5. Incorporate a Personal Touch and Keep the Tone Appropriate
To make it more personalized and reflective of the deceased’s life, you can incorporate an anecdote, quote, or saying that highlights the personality and illustrates their contributions and character.
While adding all this, keep your tone appropriate. You do not want to sound rude, immature, or disrespectful. So, keep a check on your words and tone, and try to express your emotions respectfully and formally.
6. Add a Call to Action
Adding a call to action in the obituary would give the mourners a clear idea and guide them on how you want them to contribute, and be involved in the aftermath of this loss.
For example, you can request everyone to share tributes, attend the funeral, support the family, or make memorial donations to a charity or cause that was dear to the deceased.
7. Proofread and Edit Carefully,
Once you feel like you are ready with the final draft, do not share it immediately. Take your time in proofreading and editing carefully. Check the factual details and information, language errors, and tone in the document. You can even ask for assistance in this step.
8. Work with Professionals if Needed
It is comprehensible that this process can be overwhelming and emotional. It requires you to find a balance between the practical and sentimental aspects. If needed, you can opt for professional services available for assistance.
DO YOU KNOW? As of 2024, the death care service market is worth $134.3 billion, and it is expected to reach $182.64 billion by the end of 2028.
Effective Obituary Components: A Summary
Let’s summarize everything we discussed in this article.
An obituary is a multifaceted document serving both practical and emotional purposes. It is like a final tribute to the deceased, but it also functions as a formal announcement and invitation for the friends and family who would want to mourn the loss.
Certain components that need to be integrated into the document include a brief introduction or biography of that person, funeral service details, and a call to action to encourage people to contribute or participate in the activities to honor the departed. You can also include some personal touches to make it more reflective and heartfelt.
Remember to keep your tone and words in check and inspect the document thoroughly for errors before sharing it with anyone.
Honoring Their Memory with a Lasting Tribute
Obituaries are a thoughtful way to honor and cherish the life of a loved one. By incorporating the eight elements we discussed in this article, you can craft an earnest obituary that not only reflects and captures the spirit of the departed, but also guides the attendees.
There are various professional services available that will help you navigate through this intense situation and provide their expert assistance to write a heartfelt obituary.
