Writing an obituary before cremation services Northern Cambria, PA is a long-established, well-cherished tradition of American society. Its main aim is to inform the community about the passing of your loved one, mention the funeral details, and highlight the wonderful life the departed soul has lived and his/her contributions to the community.
In this guide, we will breakdown the standard format of writing down a perfect obituary for your loved one.
Writing an Obituary
Most people don’t know anything beyond the basics of an obituary until they have to write one for a departed soul. Writing an obituary is easier than you think and involves the below parts.
- Announcing the Death
Most people prefer to begin the obituary with the news of death. Keep the announcement simple and brief, and use the language you feel comfortable with. For instance, instead of writing, “died”, which is very blunt, you can use words like “passed away” or “left us”.
If the person has died of a disease, you can write like “left us after a long battle with…” Whatever words you choose, take your family into confidence if you’re unsure.
2. Biographical Information
The biographical section is the largest and most personal part of any obituary. It summarizes the loved one’s life including:
- His/her education qualifications
- Meaningful and distinct qualities
- Noteworthy relationships
- Worthwhile achievements like any awards or certifications
- Job credentials – especially if any military rank or award
- Hobbies and interests
- Memberships or organizations they were part of
You don’t need to recount every single event of the deceased’s life or brag about every achievement or accomplishment, instead mention the significant events and unique qualities and relationships of the deceased with others.
Similarly, avoid making it too personal for you and talk more about how the deceased has had a meaningful impact on others – how he/she always took out time for helping kids, volunteering for community work, and playing a positive role for society and country at large.
Your language should be a mixture of admiration, humor, and serious tone.
3. Mention the Family and Friends
The third part of an obituary is dedicated to the surviving family members. These are the people to whom the guests and visitors will turn for offering condolences and empathies – during and after the funeral services.
Make sure you list the immediate kin of the departed soul including spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandparents (if any), and close friends.
You don’t need to mention the names of extended family members and can simply write them as “left behind four grandchildren.”
4. Mention the Funeral Services
Not everyone arranges a funeral service, so if you’re planning to hold a service and invite friends and family, then add essential information like date, time, and location of the memorial or/and funeral services and the officiant’s name as well.
Conclude your obituary with a special message for the community – like a simple prayer or a few words of special thanks. If your family needs a donation for the funeral, do ask for it and mention the account details of the recipient or link to the memorial fund. Cremation services Northern Cambria, PA, are the next step.
