How to Write an Obituary

When a loved one passes away, you may find yourself faced with the task of writing their obituary. Sometimes the family will choose the best writer to perform this task, while others will meet and write it together as a group. There is no right or wrong answer to how to write an obituary, but there are some things that you can consider including to make it more personal and special. Your provider of Cremation Services in LaGrange IL, can help you find out where and how to publish it, but here are some ideas for writing it. 

You probably don’t need to be told the basics of what most obituaries include. Name, dates and places of birth and death, and possibly surviving family members are the bare minimum of details. For some people, this is all that they wish to include in their loved one’s obituary. If there will be services held that are open to the public, this is also typically a part of the announcement. That way, members of the community can do funeral preplan to attend and pay their respects. 

If you want to write a longer and more illustrative piece in honor of your loved one, you’ll have to dig a little deeper into their history and life. Consider how they generally chose to spend their time throughout their life. Perhaps they had a long history serving in the military, a defining attribute for many people. Maybe they were a dedicated and hard-working parent who raised many children and grandchildren over the years. Did they love to travel, cook, garden, or create art? These are all passions that can be mentioned to create a more meaningful picture of their life in words. How did they contribute to their community? Many people are active members in their church, and many others volunteer their time to local animal shelters or food banks. Perhaps they coached a local recreational team, or maybe they organized many local events. You know your loved one best, and you will be able to easily decide what details to include. 

Something else you might want to think about is if there are any funny or memorable stories or memories you’d like to share. Perhaps there is one story that stands out for many different people as a fond memory of that person. Consider putting this in their obituary as well, to make it even more personal and memorable. 



With these suggestions in mind, it shouldn’t be too difficult to put together a very special and meaningful written tribute to your loved one. While you may simply think of an obituary as a public announcement of a person’s passing, it can serve many other purposes as well. It is a lasting document that can keep their memory alive for future generations to learn about. It can also be a cathartic experience for the family who is writing it, as they bond and share memories about their loved one during the process. Your provider of cremation services near LaGrange, IL, can help you put it together and make sure it is published properly. Then, you can be thankful to have a meaningful and memorable written tribute to your loved one’s memory. Reach out to us for more information.