Guide to Writing Obituaries

An obituary will stand as perhaps the only narrative record of an individual's life, and will be referenced by generations to come. Let us help you along the way by following a few helpful tips from this guide and it may also help to check current obituary listings on tulsaworld.com to get some ideas before you start.

Every obituary is as individual as the person being memorialized.

Tips:

1. Funeral service location, times and donation information is important.

2. Text should include full names of key relatives, both living and predeceased. Proof the final version carefully. Accuracy is important!

3. Add special details about the individual to give readers a glimpse into his or her life. What will family and friends miss most? What was he or she passionate about? What did he or she do that touched people around them, or made them an individual? Write narrative that focuses and celebrates the life lived to reflect the person who was known and loved.

4. Gather the basic facts together such as date of birth, date of death, birth place, schools attended and names of survivors. These will form the foundation for your obituary. Be sure names, schools, cities, etc. are spelled correctly and that dates are accurate. It's also important to be accurate in what is included, as well as what is not included. Full name, the date of birth and date of death and city of residence will be the introduction to your obituary.