Things You'll Need:
- Something to take notes with
- A way to write the obituary (a pen and paper or computer)
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Step 1
Make a list of what you want to include in the obituary. Be sure to involve those closest to the deceased to be sure that no important information is left out, and everyone is pleased with the obituary's content.
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Step 2
Write the first paragraph. The first paragraph of a newspaper obituary is almost always the same. The paragraph should include some or all of the following information: The deceased’s name, age, town they last resided in, spouse’s name, date he died, and where he died. Depending on the newspaper the word "died" may be required; other newspapers will allow "passed away " or "went to be with the Lord." Submit the obituary the way you want it to read, but don’t be offended if it gets changed. A sample first paragraph will read like this: John Doe, 77, of New York, husband of Jane Doe, died June 7, 2008, at home surrounded by family and friends.
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Step 3
Construct the second paragraph. The second paragraph should contain information about the deceased birth and family members. If the spouse isn’t included in the first paragraph this would be an appropriate place to mention her. A sample second paragraph would be: He was born July 12, 1922, in Conway, S.C., the son of the late Doris and Leroy Doe. He was the youngest of 12 siblings. On May 19, 1954, he married Jane Smith Doe, who survives.
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Step 4
Include other biographical information in the next paragraph. Any other information you'd like to have in the obituary should be included in chronological order. Don't get too wordy, because in most cases you are being charged by the line and those pretty words will just add up to an expensive obituary that doesn't say anything extra. Information to include in this paragraph would be the deceased's occupation, any awards he received, any civic clubs he was a part of, or what church he attended. Hobbies and pets also would be appropriate to mention in this paragraph(s) if you would like to do so.
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Step 5
List the survivors. The survivors’ paragraph is just that-a list of survivors, their relationship to the deceased and the town where they live now. Start with the words “Survivors include” and build from there organizing the list on the importance of relationships. For example cousins should never be listed before the deceased children or spouse. Typically the list follows the order" spouse, children, grandchildren and siblings. Other family members and close friends are added however you’d like. If the price of the obituary is a concern, consider listing numbers of grandchildren and siblings and leaving out the names of children’s spouses.
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Step 6
List any relatives that have passed on that you would like to honor. If the parents have already been listed as late in the second paragraph they don’t have to be listed again. Typically deceased grandparents, siblings and children are included in this list.
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Step 7
Include funeral information. This is something the funeral home can do for you. If you list it yourself include the date, time and location of the service. Also include information about the officiant.
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Step 8
List the names of any pallbearers. This paragraph is completely optional. It will add expense to the obituary and often lists names that have already been written in the survivors’ column.
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Step 9
Choose a place for memorial contributions and list it. A sample paragraph might be: In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to: Hospice, 123 Main St., New York, 11111.Be sure to call the organization you are requesting memorials be sent to and ask for the mailing address specifically for memorial contributions. Some organizations send memorial contributions to their national headquarters instead of their local office, so don’t rely on the phone book for the address information.
