How to Write Your Mother's Obituary

This article will show you how to write your Mother's obituary. We'll go step by step through the process and what you will need to include as well as what you would want to include.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Pen/paper
• Pictures
• Possible names

1. The loss of a loved one is always a hard experience. The process is extremely hard if it is your Mother. The woman who has loved you and cared for you your entire life. If writing the obituary is your job it can be daunting. This is a time of mourning and it is often hard to include the information you need and want while you are distressed. The last thing you want is to forever wish you had included certain things. The first step to writing your Mother's obituary is to slow down and choose a time when you are alone before you go to the funeral home to make the arrangements.
2. With pen and paper and a few moments alone you will need to think about what you want to include. After your Mother's date and place of birth, date of passing as well as where she lived, you will want to think about is your Mother's religious beliefs. Was she a regular member of a church? You will definitely want to include that. You can also include any religious sayings she used regularly. The beginning should look something like this (name is an example): Jane Smith was an active member of the First Baptist Church. She loved to serve the Lord and share her love of God with others.
   After this you can also include any specific hobbies your Mother had. Was she an avid gardener. Did she love to knit? Think of what you think she would like for you to include. This is what an obituary is all about, honoring your Mother with the good works of her life.
3. The next step will include names. You need to include the names of those who have preceded her in death. Then you include those who survive her. Usually this will first include your Dad, then you and your siblings as well as their spouses and locations. Then grandchildren and great grandchildren are included.
   This is the typical listing, however you can include anyone that you want in this list. You can list nieces and nephews, best friends of your Mother, special caregivers who your mother thought highly of. You can also include the general listing of "several nieces and nephews."
   Lastly you will want to include pallbearers. This list is usually around 6 men. You will probably want to confirm with these men ahead of time to be sure they are able to serve. If you are unsure or unable to confirm you can also list this generally, such as "sons and grandsons will serves as pallbearers."
   After you have put this together you will want to read over it. Think if there is anything that you have left out or if you have misspelled any names. Now set this aside and find a nice picture that you will want to accompany the obituary in the newspaper. While you are doing this it is also a good idea to set aside a few nice pictures that you like. A lot of funeral homes are now offering tribute videos.
   With how fast everything seems to go by after losing your Mother this list will help you be prepared and not feel put on the spot at the funeral home trying to come up with this information. It will help you to take care of one big aspect of handling the arrangements for your Mother's funeral.

Tips & Warnings

• All tips included are for your assistance only. You do not have to include any of this information. It serves as a general guideline.