guide for writing an obituary

Reviewing the obituary page in your local newspaper will allow you to see their specific layout and help you when compiling the necessary information. Each newspaper has its own per line charge for the publication of an obituary.

We have the ability to provide you with a cost quote for the obituary you have composed. Simply e-mail the completed obituary to our funeral home at damianofh@aol.com with a contact number and the newspaper you wish to have it published in.

The following headings are meant as a general guide. Make sure that you have considered everything that is usually covered, then select what you would like to include.

• Full name of the deceased, including nickname, if any
• Age at death
• Residence (for example, the name of the city or town) at death
• Day and date of death
• Place of death
• Cause of death (optional, may not be printed in certain papers
• Example: Name , age, of (name of city or town), died on (day and date), at (place of death)

• Place of birth
• Names of parents
• Childhood: siblings, stories, schools, friends
• Marriage(s): name of spouse (years married)
• Education: school, college, university and other
• Military record (branch, war, awards, honors)
• Designations, awards, and other recognition
• Employment: jobs, activities, stories, colleagues, satisfactions, promotions, union activities
• Places of residence
• Hobbies, sports, interests, activities, and other enjoyment
• Charitable, religious, fraternal, political, other affiliations; positions held
• Achievements Unusual attributes, humor, other stories

• Predeceased by (and date of death):
  
• SpouseChildren (in order of date of birth)
• Grandchildren
• Siblings (in order of date of birth)
• Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
• Pets (if appropriate)
• Survived by (and town or state of residence):
  
• Spouse
• Children (in order of date of birth, and their spouses)
• Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, Great-great-grandchildren
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Siblings (in order of date of birth)
• Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-lawsFriends
• Pets (if appropriate)

• Day, date, time, place (address)
• Name of officiant
• Visitation information if applicable: day, date, time, place
• Other memorial, or graveside services if applicable: day, date, time, place
• Place of interment
• Name of funeral home in charge of arrangements
• Where to call for more information (even if no service planned)

• Memorial donation suggestions, including addresses
• Thank you to people, groups, or institutions