The announcement of a death in a local or national newspaper is referred to as a death notice. This paid announcement includes the name of the deceased, his brief life history, information about the funeral services and details about any donations that can be made in his name by his friends and family.
An obituary is different from a death notice in the sense that it is written by the newspaper staff in honor of someone’s service and achievements at a local, national or international level. It includes detailed biography of the deceased and acknowledges his contribution to his cause or profession. Since, a lot of funeral arrangements are required such as granite headstones selection, burial place etc, taking out time to write an obituary may become difficult. Here are 5 Tips for writing a proper death or obituary for your loved one:
- Including Personal Details & Information
There are some basic tips to writing a death notice or obituary that can be applied to both as a general guideline.
- the full name of the deceased
- age at the time of death
- date of death
- cause of death (optional)
- location of death
- details about funeral services including venue, time, day and contact numbers of organizers
They can include other information as well such as details about educational history, honors and awards received, professional achievements, milestones and contribution to the community and society. A death notice can add in personal details too, such as information about marriage and children and is written more from a personal angle than a formal one. The length of the death notice, however, depends on how much information you want to share and what amount are you willing to spend since the charges are on per word basis.
- Obituary: A Formal Way of Announcing Death
An obituary is a more formal way of announcing a person’s death since it is done by the newspaper itself. This in itself means that obituaries are written for people who have left a significant mark in their communities at some level and their passing away is of concern to many besides their immediate friends and family. Newspapers then honor such personalities and gather details about their services, the text focusing on the bigger picture. Major newspapers only publish obituaries of famous and well known personalities but local newspapers may be willing to publish long-form obituaries of their local residents.
- Collaborate with Close Family
To write a death notice, it is best to collaborate with close family members to gather all important information, either in person or over the phone. This will ensure authenticity and also give the family a sense of belonging and connection by contributing in the process. Discuss whether to include everyone’s name in the notice or simple state the family name as the aggrieved. You may add a photograph of the deceased on the top of the notice.
- Proofread the Death Notice for Factual Verification
Double check and proofread the death notice or obituary for spell check and verification of facts. It is a sensitive time for family and friends so two to three people reviewing the death notice can be a good way to ensure that the notice needs no corrections. Most importantly, make sure that the information and details about the funeral are complete and correct. In case of any donations being accepted in the name of the deceased, state them in a simple and comprehensive manner.
- Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
The death of a loved one is a very emotional time for his family. A death note rubs this reality deeper within. That is why, one should do as much as he feels capable of doing. Too many details can be difficult to add in and may also consume you emotionally. A basic announcement with a small quote or prayer can convey the message in the same way. The intent is to inform about the incident and share the funeral service details as early as possible, so that maximum number of people are able to attend the services and pay their regards to the deceased.
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