Writing about the deceased isn’t new, in fact, research suggests it to be very old, with evidence the early Romans published death notices for their nobles around 59 BC. Obituaries, which have now passed from papyrus to newspapers to the internet, are an enduring feature in most contemporary societies. Unlike the early Romans, who reserved them for nobility, modern day death notices tend to honor all those who have died. This renders the skills for how to write an obituary as applicable today as it was centuries ago. Obituaries are unique in that you’re crafting a very significant missive about a subject who’ll most certainly never read it.

Bibliographical inclusions

Conventions on how to write an obituary are that it should always include the deceased’s name, birthplace, age, and date of death. You may also wish to provide information regarding the location where the person died and perhaps the cause of death. Other significant bibliographical markers to mention are their marital status, and other family members they are survived by. An overview of the person’s career is commonly added and may draw on some of their achievements or legacies. Other important details to add are the date, time, and venue of any memorial service, and where flowers or donations should be addressed to. If you feel you need additional guidance there are even free obituary templates that can be downloaded from the internet.

Make it meaningful

Once you’ve covered the essential facts surround who and when, it’s time to delve a little deeper. An effective obituary should distil something of the spirit of the individual, convey some of their personality. It’s here that you may wish to segue into humor, or rely on anecdotes to express what was unique about them. Consider reaching out to friends and family of the deceased for memories they may wish to share. As you structure your obituary, remember your audience, try to rely on information about the person that is relatable. Memories of the person needn’t always be about positive experiences, often they can relate to humorous mishaps or mistakes. Finally, approach reflecting on how to write an obituary as a meditation on the value of life itself. Consider how would you like that person to be remembered? what qualities did they imbue? In contemplating death, and its sacred rituals, we can we learn to express more fully. In the practice of how to write an obituary we can pay special homage to the life that was lived.