The words in an obituary are often the last ones published publicly about a person and their life, but, while poignant, these notifications tend to be brief and succinct.
So, how do you write an obituary and what needs to be included?
What is an Obituary?
An obituary is an announcement of a person’s death which typically appears in a local newspaper or nowadays can be displayed in online publications.
For most people who knew the deceased, this is how they will be notified of their death and funeral, and for some Australians, it is the first (and only) section they view in the paper each day. Some people may even cut out the death notification and keep it as a reminder of the person they’ve lost.
Obituaries are often kept brief as longer notices tend to be more expensive.
How to Write an Obituary: What information should be included?
- Name of deceased (In some cases maiden names and nicknames are included)
- Date of death
- Age when they passed away
- City of residence
- Family members of deceased
- Surviving family members. Family members tend to be listed in the following order: spouse, children in birth order, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, other relatives or friends.
- Pre-deceased family members
- Details of visitation, funeral or memorial service.
- Day and Date
- Time
- Location, with full address
NOTE: If there won’t be a service held, then that is often stated within the text. Some people also choose to say that a service will be held “at a later date”. On the other hand, some families hold private events and do not wish to disclose any details publicly.
Optional Inclusions for an Obituary
If you’ve got space for more information about your loved one, you may wish to include:
- Place of birth and or place of death
- Any significant life events – e.g., academic and or career milestones, hobbies etc
- The family of the deceased may wish to include a thank you to staff members of an aged care facility or hospital if they were being looked after somewhere prior to their passing
- Donation information – if the deceased wishes donations be made to a particular charity
Do you Need Help Writing an Obituary?
As you’ve only got limited space for an obituary, our Brisbane funeral directors are more than happy to offer advice if you are struggling to write the notice.
We’ve also put together a blog which includes tips for writing a eulogy, which you can read here.
Anton Brown Funerals is a family-owned, Queensland funeral company which was established in 1995.
Our Brisbane-based team of funeral directors are honest, professional, compassionate and understanding, and always put our clients and their needs first.
We go above and beyond to ensure your loved one’s funeral arrangements are tailored to their final wishes and can assist you with burials, cremations, coffins, floral arrangements, pre-planning and more.
If you need help organising a dignified funeral service, we are available to discuss arrangements 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today on (07) 3217 3088 or send us a message online here.
