PARAGRAPH 2: The deceased’s death information. EXAMPLE: William “Will” Harold Johnson, Sr.

This includes nicknames, middle names and extensions such a Jr., Sr. Provide the readers of the obituary you write with whatever information you can. Many times, an obituary must be much, much shorter due to any number of factors, including the inability to contact friends and relatives from early years. If all of the steps are included, it constitutes an exceptional obituary. Please note that not all of the following steps have to be included. Examples are provided when they are appropriate. It is designed to provide practical support in an easy-to-follow manner. Stevenson & Sons has prepared this document to help people who are called upon to create an obituary. And while there is a growing list of resources to support the novice obituary author, there is still a profound lack of practical, helpful, easy-to-use assistance available. For most authors, the obituary will be the most read piece of writing they have ever created – or ever will create.ĭespite the above factors, most people who are called upon to compose an obituary are utterly unprepared to do so. It will be read by family members, loved ones, friends, acquaintances and many others who are simply interested in reading about neighbors who have passed away.

It will be read in newspapers for several weeks, and on the internet far into the future. The person writing an obituary is being asked to create a document that is going to be read by many, many people. Writing an obituary is both a great honor - and a great responsibility…

Obituaries samples