Losing a loved one is never easy, but gathering knowledge before it happens can be helpful in your funeral planning. The funeral program obituary is one of the most important documents you will need when organizing a funeral or memorial service. It is included within the printed memorial, such as the funeral program, as well as online and newspaper obituary notices.
First, you want to include basic information such as the loved one's full name, date of birth, and date of death. The amount of details you provide is up to you and will depend on the space allotted online or within the printed memorial. While stating the cause of death is optional, it may save you from explaining the circumstances repeatedly. You may also include work history, military service information, special hobbies and clubs if applicable.
List the names of a spouse, life partner, parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren. Additionally, list any deceased immediate family members. Give a brief biographical history, including birthplace and where he or she grew up. Include information about education, church or religious affiliations, and clubs and organizations the deceased was a part of. Elaborating on hobbies, interests, and other pertinent information is also acceptable.
Other important details to include are the date and time of the viewing service, location, times and dates for sending flowers, preferred charities, and where to send any donations if applicable. Typically, an obituary in the newspaper may or may not include a single photo. The funeral program can contain the same photo or more if desired. You may find that the newspaper obituary will have limitations on the amount of text allowed. However, you can include the obituary in its entirety within the funeral program. It may be helpful to write the full-length version first and then create a condensed version for the newspaper.
This should provide enough information to write a basic obituary. To view examples of written obituaries and how they are placed within a printed memorial, please visit our online superstore. Thank you for watching, and we look forward to seeing you in our next video, only here at the Funeral Program Site.