An obituary can record the facts of a life while showing what made that person distinct. Start with what you know, leave out private details you do not wish to share, and ask another person to check every name and date.
1. Gather facts
- Preferred full name, nickname, and age
- Dates and places you are comfortable publishing
- Important relationships, work, service, interests, and community life
- Confirmed service or donation information
2. Draft the life story
Open with the name and essential announcement. Add two or three details that reveal the person rather than listing every event. Family lists, service information, and donation wording are optional.
3. Check privacy and accuracy
- Read every name aloud and confirm spelling.
- Check dates against a reliable record.
- Ask before naming survivors or sharing cause of death.
- Review the publisher’s length, deadline, and fee rules.
- Have one other person proofread the final version.