How to Write an Obituary? Do you need Religious Obituary Samples?
Compose an obituary for example for another student in your class, assuming the student died of unknown causes earlier today and the funeral arrangements are not yet made. Focus on the student's life rather than the death, including their philosophy, goals, interesting experiences, or major accomplishments. You may describe the student’s physical traits but avoid generalities and clichés.
Celebrity Obituary: Write an in-depth obituary for a celebrity who died of unknown causes at home last night with the funeral not yet scheduled. Avoid making up facts or relying solely on your memory. Include at least 10 sources in a separate list. After the lead, provide highlights of the person’s life, character, and accomplishments, avoiding chronological order and dull lists. Place routine details like birth, education, and survivors near the end.
Characteristics of an Obituary
Obituaries generally include the following information in this approximate order:
- Full name, age, address
- Unique, outstanding, or major attribute
- Time and place of death
- Cause or circumstance of death
- Major accomplishments
- Chronology of early life (birth, moves, education)
- Place and date of marriage
- Occupation and employment history
- Honors, awards, and offices held
- Additional interests and accomplishments
- Memberships in churches, clubs, and other civic groups
- Military service
- Surviving relatives (spouse, children, grandchildren, etc.)
- Religious services (location, officiating clergy, pallbearers)
- Other burial and funeral arrangements
Checklist for Reporting and Writing Obituaries
- Gather basic information: name, age, occupation, residence, activities, honors, awards, survivors, and funeral arrangements.
- Identify a unique trait or ability that makes the person stand out.
- Describe the person’s character and personality, perhaps including physical characteristics.
- Gather quotes from family and friends, and include memorable sayings of the deceased.
- Consider both the positive and the quirks of the person’s life.
- Add historical context for a better understanding of the person's life.
- Focus on the life lived, not just the death.
Further Obituary Writing Considerations:
- Beyond Routine: Make obituaries interesting by including additional details and their significance. For instance, instead of just stating a woman owned a flower shop, describe what inspired her to open it and how it differed from others. Describe the person’s character and physical appearance. For young individuals, mention their goals or hobbies.
- Anecdotes and Quotations: Including anecdotes and quotes from family and friends adds personality to the obituary.
- Language Usage: Avoid euphemisms for "died" such as "departed," "expired," or "succumbed." Stick to clear and direct language, avoiding sentimental terms used by funeral directors.
- Challenges in Obituary Writing: Double-check ages by subtracting the date of birth from the date of death. Avoid identifying hospitals to prevent potential harm to their reputation.
- Survived By: A woman is survived by her husband, not her widower. Similarly, a man is survived by his wife, not his widow.
- Religious Terms: For a Catholic funeral, the term "Mass" is always capitalized and should be noted as celebrated, said, or sung.
- Privacy Concerns: Make sure to avoid printing survivors' addresses to prevent potential burglaries during funerals.
- Terms of Death: Most deaths are sudden; a more accurate term may be "unexpected."
- Autopsies: Report simply that “an autopsy will be conducted” without stating the obvious.
- Relationships: Avoid suggesting one relationship is inferior to another unless requested by the family.
If you make an Obituary in Google Docs:
You can open our Obituary templates in Google Docs or Google Sheets (Google Workspace). This easy-to-customize Religious Obituary Sample is useful for any kind of personal matter. Easily Editable Newspaper Obituary Free Google Docs Template.
Features:
- Compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word
- Available in A4 size (210×297mm)
- Fully editable
- 100% print-ready
We support you by providing this Religious Obituary Sample template, which will save you time, cost and effort.
Download this Religious Obituary template now, and hopefully, we have made the process of honoring your loved one's memory a little easier and more meaningful for you.