Writing Your Own Obituary
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The taboo nature of discussing death makes it difficult to stay organised throughout our lives. We often avoid these discussions until forced to, making the process harder than it needs to be.
Welcome to MyBio.life™, a secure space to learn about end of life topics without feeling overwhelmed. Today, we discuss how to write a meaningful obituary, including your own. This is paramount when writing for a spouse, family member, or friend. You might wonder what specific details to include or how to balance facts and a captivating story. We have some answers for you.
The Purpose of an Obituary
Let’s start with the basics: understanding the purpose of an obituary. You might be unfamiliar with the term or confuse it with a eulogy.
If you want to honour someone’s life, writing an obituary is a meaningful way to do so. It provides a detailed overview of the persons life, beyond the basic information found in a death notice.
Obituaries can vary in length and detail. Include personal stories, achievements, and loved ones left behind. You can publish them in newspapers or online. You may even consider writing your own obituary.
Essential details include full names (including maiden names), nicknames, date of death, age, place of death, residence, surviving family, and funeral arrangements.
By writing an obituary, it creates a lasting legacy not just for the family but for future generations. It’s a historical record on a personal scale—a humbling yet inspiring task.
The Difference Between an Obituary and a Eulogy.
A eulogy is a special way to share memories, emotions, and reflections during farewell ceremonies. It brings together loved ones to remember, grieve, and celebrate the life of the deceased. By sharing someone’s unique story, a eulogy provides comfort and pays tribute to their life. MyBio.life app is dedicated to celebrating life. We have included a section where you can record your eulogy, so be sure to check it out!
While obituaries are essentially mini-biographies that highlight a person’s story, their successes and milestones helps the eulogy to be more reflective and showcase the person’s life. It focuses on who the person was and how they touched the lives of those around them. Writing a eulogy can feel like a huge responsibility and may seem overwhelming, however, it is a deeply meaningful way to honour and remember a loved one.
Writing Your Obituary: A Step-by-Step Guide
Writing an obituary doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re writing your own or someone else’s, these tips can guide you through the process. Take a moment to breathe and then prioritise what you would like to say. Start by deciding where to publish the obituary and check the newspaper’s requirements for length, format, and submission guidelines.
Obituary as a Newspaper Article
An obituary announcement can be placed in a local newspaper’s obituary section. Newspaper obituaries typically provide more details about a deceased public figure’s life (politics, entertainment, culture, etc.) compared to standard obituaries. However, the core elements of both are quite similar.
Obituary Written by the Family
Writing an obituary often begins shortly after a death, and let’s friends and loved ones know what is planned to celebrate the person’s life. While this can be challenging, this process can also be therapeutic. Whether written in advance, during a period of illness, or immediately after a death, an obituary is a chance to celebrate a life through words. It can be shared privately, read aloud at a funeral, or published in a newspaper. Ultimately, an obituary is a personal tribute that reflects the individual’s life and legacy.
MyBio.life Recommendations for Writing an Obituary
If you’ve been tasked with writing an obituary for a loved one or for yourself, here are our recommendations. Firstly, it’s important to know that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all format or approach.
However, a common structure includes:
- The person’s identity
- A brief biography
- The main body of the obituary
- A short conclusion
An obituary honours the memory of the person by recounting their life story. The focus should be on the person who has passed away, not on the writer’s emotions. Use a tone and language that reflect the deceased’s personality, whether it’s humorous, serious, intellectual, casual, artistic, or practical.
You can structure the obituary in various ways: chronologically, by area of life (work, friends, family), or by significant life stages. For example, “From ages 20 to 25, Jane studied Medicine. At 35, she led a team, and from 50 to 62, she ran her own business.”
Alternatively, you can write more narratively: “Had Jane not opened her business, her talent, evident since medical school, might not have been showcased…”
The main body of the obituary should offer a deeper look into the deceased’s life. For instance: “The stunning clinic Jane opened in her hometown highlights her career success. Three years ago, Jane took on a new challenge with enthusiasm…” Or focus on personality traits: “Her love for food inspired her to… Her joyful, curious nature drove her to explore…”
Conclude with a heartfelt farewell and a promise to cherish their memory among family and friends.
Remember, an obituary should inform and celebrate the person, not reflect personal opinions or judgements. It can be cheerful, sad, humorous, poetic, realistic, or imaginative, but it must always be true to the person.
Lastly, consider seeking feedback from loved ones to ensure accuracy and clarity.
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