The Last Story You’ll Ever Tell About Someone – Make it Count

An obituary is more than a notice in the newspaper. It is the first chapter of a family’s memory of someone they love. Long after the funeral flowers fade, the obituary is what grandchildren find in a search, what old friends read to feel close again, and what future generations use to understand where they came from. Writing one well is an act of care, not just a task on a checklist.

Why Obituaries Still Matter

• They preserve the story. A life is more than dates. An obituary captures the character, humor, and values that made someone unforgettable.
• They connect the family. Writing one together often brings up memories relatives haven’t shared in years, and gives everyone a role in honoring their loved one.
• They notify a whole community. Friends, coworkers, and neighbors who may not hear the news otherwise learn how to pay respects or offer support.
• They become a keepsake. Decades later, an obituary is often the only written record a family has of a person’s full life story.

How to Write One That Feels Right

1. Start with the basics. Full name, age, hometown, and date of passing. This anchors the story in fact before it turns to feeling.
2. Tell the story of a life, not a resume. Include what they loved, who they cherished, and a moment or trait that captured who they really were.
3. Name the people who mattered. List surviving family members and, if it fits the family’s wishes, those who passed before them.
4. Share the service details. Date, time, and location of any funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, plus how to send flowers or condolences.
5. Ask before you publish. Have a close family member review it. A second set of eyes catches errors and honors everyone’s memory of the person.

*  Certified by the National Elder Law Foundation