How to Write Your Mother's Obituary

You are going through the most difficult time of your life and now, you have to sum up a family members life in a few mere words for publication. Here are some tips to help you through that.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• writing tools, a computer, typewriter or simply pencil and paper.

1. First, realize that this isn't something you have to do on your own. You can enlist the help of family members, but also keep in mind that obituary writing is often done by the funeral home itself. Having the funeral home write the obituary might save you time, grief and stress.

2. Call your local newspaper where the obituary will run. Some will charge for obituaries beyond a specific length, but run shorter obituaries for free.

3. Keep it simple. It is impossible to sum up the many positive attributes of a loved one in a few paragraphs. It is wise, however, say more with fewer words. For instance, instead of writing "she loved her children with all her heart," write "she was a devoted mother."
   Remember, the people reading the obituary, your target audience, will mostly be people who already knew the deceased.

4. Most obituaries follow this form: 1) Name, age and when, where and how the loved one died. 2) Careers, interests and hobbies. 3) A list of immediate family members. 4) When and where services will be held.

5. When listing cause of death, if you wish you can mention the cause of death specifically. For instance, "Jane Doe, 84, died at her Rockport home Tuesday after a long battle with cancer."
   If you do not wish to name the illness, you can specify cause of death as "long illness" or "sudden illness." "Long illness" usually applies to cancer and "sudden illness" is usually inferred by the reader to mean heart attack.

6. When writing about careers, interests and hobbies, you do not have to go into too much detail, nor do you need to write a resume. For instance, "Doe retired from Union Carbide in 1984, was a licensed pilot and enjoyed bridge."

7. When listing family members, siblings and children are usually mentioned by name. The list of children and siblings is especially important, some readers will want to attend the services, although they never knew the deceased, to support of a friend who is a relative of the deceased.
   It is perfectly acceptable to mention grandchildren and great-grandchildren by number, for example "She had five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren."

8. Don't forget the important details. Obituaries are read mostly by people who already knew the deceased. Their primary interest will be when and where services are to be held. If services have not been scheduled, say where they are being arranged, so readers may call the funeral home later for a specific time and date.

9. Have someone proofread your work. Even professional writers' work is edited. Have other family members check it for possible errors.

[IcyCucky]

on 10/19/2008 It's sad to think about, but your article provides great tip!