Obituary Times Herald Record (2024)

FAQs

What is the best opening line for an obituary? ›

“It is with great sadness that the family of (deceased name) announce (his/her) passing….” “(Deceased name) will be sadly missed by ….” “Fondly remembered by….” “Forever remembered by….”

The closing paragraph is typically rather short and includes details regarding services or gatherings, as well as any requests regarding donations being made to charities or organizations that are meaningful to the deceased.

Anything goes! The average word count is about 180-220 and can include anything from a poem to a short story about the deceased to a lively anecdote that sums up his or her life with the enthusiasm, excitement, and personality with which they lived.

The Web site hosts obituaries and memorials for more than 70 percent of all U.S. deaths. Legacy.com hosts obituaries for more than three-quarters of the 100 largest newspapers in the U.S., by circulation.

When writing an obituary, leave out details that could be used for identity theft, such as the deceased's date and place of birth, middle name, maiden name and mother's maiden name. And don't include the deceased's home address.

If you're unsure how to end your eulogy, finish with a simple goodbye, or a thank you for the memories you shared. You might choose to use traditional phrases like 'rest in peace' or 'sleep well'. Or you can use something less formal, like a greeting or joke you used to share with the person who has died.

Obituary Example: Announcing a Celebration of Life

[Full name] left us on [date of death] at the age of [age]. To celebrate [first name]'s remarkable life, we gather on [date] at [location]. In lieu of traditional mourning, we request the joy of your company in bright colors, reflecting [first name]'s vibrant spirit.

In most cases, obituaries do not include the names or nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws unless they were close to the deceased. Grandchildren are sometimes listed but often numbered instead (…he leaves behind 5 grandchildren).

[Full Name], aged [age of the deceased], passed away peacefully on [date of death], at [location of death]. He/she was born on [date of birth], in [birthplace], to [names of parents]. He/she was a proud resident of [city of residence] and was a 1975 graduate of Holy Cross High School.

If you like to be technical, names should be listed as follows: first name, spouse's first name in parenthesis, then surname (ex: Tom (Sarah) Johnson). If the spouse or partner's surname is different, include their surname in the parenthesis along with their first name (ex: Tom (Sarah Williams) Johnson).

What happens if no one writes an obituary? ›

Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one. Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.

North Dakota newspaper The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead ran what is certainly one of the shortest obituaries ever published. Accompanying a photograph and name of local resident Douglas Legler, the obit, which ran Wednesday, had just two simple words: “Doug died.”

An obituary is written to tell the story of your loved one. These will often be in the funeral program. There will even be a part of the funeral where the obituary will be silently read by everyone in attendance at the funeral.

Keep in mind the length: the average size of an obituary is approximately 200 words, but some publications may accept obituaries as long as 450 words or as short as 50 words.

Opening – Start with the full name, date of birth, and date of death. Biographical Information – Provide a brief overview of their life, including education, career, and family. Achievements and Passions – Highlight notable achievements, hobbies, and interests.

An introduction should acknowledge everyone in attendance, introduce yourself and your relationship to the deceased, and thank everyone for attending. The introduction will also help set the tone for your eulogy.

You could start with something simple like: “My name is __________ , the wife/husband/son/daughter/friend of ___________.” Another idea is to explain how you knew the deceased, or how you first met. However, you should take care to avoid focusing the eulogy on you.