FAQs
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.
Do obituaries list cause of death? ›
It is preferable, when applicable, to include the age at death and a personal comment such as “surrounded by family” or “comforted by his wife.” NB: Sometimes it is desirable to omit the cause of death – such as when death came as a result of extreme violence, or the carrying out of a court sentence.
What are the first lines of obituaries? ›
Ideas for the Beginning Paragraph
- On (day, date), (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) passed away at the age of ____ years.
- The family of (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) is saddened to announce his/her passing on (day, date) at the age of _____ years.
Additionally, some families may prefer to keep the details of their loved one's passing private and not share them with the public. Another reason a family might choose not to write an obituary is that it can be expensive.
How do the times decide who gets an obituary? ›
Every day, editors on The New York Times Obituaries team scan news reports and dig through emails from readers to learn who died recently; they then decide whether to assign a reporter to write about one of those lives.
Is it disrespectful not to have an obituary? ›
You are under no legal obligation to take out a death notice or obituary. Think of the latter as a final gift to your loved one—a celebration of who they were and the legacy they created. The former is more of a courtesy to give people information so they too can honor and memorialize the dearly departed.
What information should you never include in an obituary? ›
A Fitting—and Safe—Tribute
Protect your loved one's identity even after they pass by avoiding using too many specific details in their obituary. Consider only using the first names of relatives, for instance. Or mention their military service but not their regiment number or other details.
Why would someone's obituary disappear? ›
What does it mean when you can't find an obituary? Well if you're looking in a newspaper for it & don't see it, that could mean the family didn't pay for it to appear in the paper. It's very expensive to put an obituary in newspapers. It could also mean the family chooses to keep it private.
What does it mean when a name is in parentheses in an obituary? ›
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 is the order of siblings in an obituary? ›
Spouse. Children (in order of date of birth) Grandchildren. Siblings (in order of date of birth)
How do you refer to an unmarried partner in an obituary? Typically, an unmarried partner is referred to as a spouse or simply as a partner. You can also list them as a surviving relative if you feel it's appropriate. The goal is to list them in a way that best reflects the relationship they had with the deceased.
What is the last sentence of an obituary? ›
Concluding Message
Phrases like “We will always carry your memory in our hearts,” or perhaps a favorite quote of your loved one are heartfelt and personal.
Is it common to read the obituary at a funeral? ›
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. It is something you and your family should be patient with when you are writing it.
Do you put last names in obituary? ›
When you are listing a relative, make sure to include their first name, their spouse's first name in brackets and then their last name.
Why is there no obituary on My Friend? ›
There could be several reasons why you're having difficulty finding an obituary. The person you're looking for may not have had an obituary, the newspaper that published it could have gone out of business, or it could have never been saved or digitized.
Who typically writes an obituary? ›
While there are no rules when it comes to who writes the obituary, they're typically written by family members or close friends. When a loved one passes, the family usually decides who will write it based on their relationship to the deceased or writing ability.
Does Ohio require an obituary? ›
No, an Obituary is not required to be published in Ohio. Neither is notice to creditors, other than Medicaid Recovery. In fact, some times it might even be advisable to forego opening an estate until the time for creditors to file claims has passed (in Ohio it is 6 months from the date of death).
Why is the obituary read at funeral? ›
Another way to make sure that you are showing your love for your loved one is through a well-written obituary. Obituaries are used to tell the guests and anyone who may be present at the funeral who your loved one is. It is a chance for you to tell the story of your loved one's life.
