Writing obituaries is a meaningful way to honor and remember the passing of your loved one. This includes an essential checklist that you should follow. The checklist begins with clearly stating the deceased’s name, age, date, and place of death. Write a short biography of the deceased, covering their birth, education, career, and personal life. Provide details of surviving family members and add service details, including type, date, and location. Be sure to include memorial contributions and appreciation for the care received. Let’s learn about it in more detail.
Checklist for Crafting Obituaries in Oklahoma City
Here is a checklist to guide you:
Announcement of Death
Start with the deceased’s full name, age, residence, and date and place of death. This will give readers the most basic information about the person’s death.
Example:
“Jane Marie Doe, 76, of Springfield, passed away peacefully at her home on January 15, 2025.”
Brief Biography
Offer a short story of the deceased’s life, highlighting meaningful information such as:
- Date and Place of Birth: Include the date and place of birth.
- Education: Note colleges or universities attended, degrees obtained, and other notable achievements.
- Career: List key professional positions, notable accomplishments, and contributions in the field.
- Personal Life: Include marriages, children, and other relevant relationships.
- Hobbies and Interests: Share passions, hobbies, and activities that are important to the individual.
Example:
“Born on March 10, 1948, in her hometown, Jane attended High School before receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from State University. She taught at Lincoln Elementary School for over 30 years and shaped the lives of countless students. Jane married John Doe in 1970 and had two children together. She was a keen gardener and loved volunteering at the local animal shelter”.
Family Information
Provide details of any living family members.
- Spouse: Name of the surviving spouse.
- Children: Names of children and their spouses, if any.
- Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, optionally by name.
- Siblings: Names of surviving siblings.
Also, state other close relatives who died before the deceased.
Example:
“Jane is survived by her husband, John, her children, Michael (Sarah) Doe and Emily (Robert) Smith, and her three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Johnson, and her brother, William Johnson.”
Service Details
Give details of the funeral or memorial service:
- Type of Service: It may be a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life.
- Date and Time: The date and time for holding the service should be stated.
- Location: Give the name and address of the location.
- Visitation Information: If available, include details regarding visitation times.
Example:
“A memorial service will be held on January 20, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Grace Community Church, 123 Main Street, in her hometown. Visitation will precede the service from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the same location.”
Memorial Contributions
If the family wants people to donate instead of bringing flowers, mention their preferred charities or causes. This might help translate their memory into a continued support system for those favorite organizations.
Example:
“Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma City, or Humane Society of Oklahoma.”
Closing Remarks
The final step for an obituary is to express closing sentiments. The following closing remarks can express gratitude for the support of family, friends, and medical staff:
Example:
“The family wishes to thank the staff at [hospital name] for their compassionate care during Tom’s final days.”
Additional Tips
While writing an obituary, there are a few crucial points to remember so that the obituary does justice to the deceased:
- Tones: It is respectful and sincere. Such an approach does honor the person and conveys how serious it was to lose that person.
- Word count: Try to make the obituary as concise yet comprehensive as possible, between 200 to 300 words. This is enough to do justice to a meaningful tribute but does not overwhelm the reader.
- Accuracy: All names, dates, and details are double-checked to ensure accuracy because errors may cause pain for the family and friends.
- Publication: Determine where to publish the obituary. You may publish it in the local newspaper, on online memorial sites, or on social media. Each medium reaches a different audience, so the choice of publication platform is up to the family.
Therefore, following the mentioned requirements will result in a meaningful yet true tribute that pays enough respect to your loved one.
Conclusion
In crafting obituaries, it’s essential to balance honoring the deceased’s memory and providing factual information. You can create a meaningful tribute by incorporating key elements, such as a clear announcement of death, a brief biography, family information, and service details. Don’t forget to maintain a respectful tone, check for accuracy, and consider the publication medium. With attention to these details, you can ensure a heartfelt and accurate obituary that truly honors your loved one’s memory.
