How To Write An Obituary: We Are Here To Help

A simple checklist for making sure your obituary honors and informs.

When a loved one has passed away, writing an obituary that honors their life can seem overwhelming.

At any time, our experienced staff are here to assist you in writing, editing, and publishing the obituary. We ask that you never hesitate to reach out to us for assistance and guidance. 

However, don’t worry - your obituary will honor their life simply by the act of you writing it. You want to celebrate your loved one’s life and offer happy or enjoyable memories. You are helping to ease the pain of others simply by telling a story about your loved one.

We hope that this checklist will take the stress and pressure off of you and allow you to honor your loved one simply. If you prefer to gather the information on the checklist below, a Harrod Brothers staff member will be honored to assist you in creating the obituary.

Remember, your funeral arranger is an experienced professional, and he/she is a valuable resource for writing the obituary. 

1. Include all the basic details about the person’s life.

You don’t have to include all of this information, but here are the basics that are often included in an obituary. Choose the elements that are most relevant to your loved one:

  • Age
  • Any familial survivors, and those preceding in death
  • Education
  • Vocation
  • When the person retired or previous employment
  • Any military affiliations
  • Any volunteer affiliations
  • Hobbies, interests, and personal details

2. Include funeral information.

Family and friends often rely on an obituary for information on when and where a person’s life will be celebrated, so your obituary will make it very simple for them to get that information (and will save you the hassle of having to answer lots of questions at a time when you would prefer not to be bothered with small details). You can include:

  • Date and time of the funeral
  • Place the funeral is being held
  • Any viewing details
  • Requests for expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers

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