Losing a parent is a life-altering event that no one is ever truly prepared for. Along with the grief comes the responsibility to honor your parents and fulfill their final rites. Regardless of whether you go for a funeral or cremation, writing an obituary is a must. While you can find multiple templates online, none of them truly capture the story and legacy your parent leaves behind. Writing it yourself will be an authentic and meaningful alternative, especially when creating an Obituary family can resonate with.
A Step-by-step Guide to Writing A Meaningful Obituary For Your Parent
If it’s your first time writing an obituary in general or for a parent, here’s a comprehensive guide that you can refer to.
Recall Your Parent’s Life
Begin the obituary writing process by reflecting on your parent’s lives. The values they held dear, their catchphrases and hobbies, and the memories you share – relive it all in the moment, feel it. Did they have a special talent, a favourite book, a go-to safe space? A piece of their soul lives on in everything you associate them with, so recall them. This way you will be able to write a heartfelt, meaningful, and authentic obituary.
List Basic Details About The Deceased
There are some details that are a must-have in an obituary. Here’s a list to make it easier for you.
- Deceased Details: The name, age, birthdate and birth year are essential elements of an obituary to clearly identify and honor the deceased.
- Details of Death: Add the date, time, place, and cause of death to provide a clear account of their passing.
- Parents’ Names: Mentioning the parents’ names adds context and honors family heritage, especially in more traditional obituaries.
- Significant Life Events: Highlight key milestones like education, career, or achievements to celebrate the life they lived.
- List of Surviving Family Members: Name close surviving family members to show who carries on their memory and offers a connection for the community.
Announce Memorial Day
Moreover, do not forget to include the funeral or memorial service’s details in the obituary so friends and family can show up to pay their respects. Communicate the date, time and location of the service. On top of that, mention whether it is a funeral, memorial, cremation or a celebration of life. This way, the attendees can come prepared. You can also mention special requests like the dress code or if you want the attendees to bring flowers, in the obituary.
Choose a Fitting Writing Style
The obituary is the final piece of writing to honor your parents, so the writing has to be fitting to make it more personal. If your parent was more of a laid-back, carpe diem type, then go for a more relaxed and lively writing style. The point is, tailor your writing, make it authentic and reflective of your parents. You may even use their catchphrases as you write the obituary to make it more like them.
Recheck and Edit
This point is a no-brainer. Once you are done writing, recheck what you have written and edit it so it flows better. Correct any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes you see. Also, make sure you respect the deceased’s privacy, too, by not adding things they would not want to be made public. This final review is your chance to ensure the obituary is both accurate and appropriate.
Seek Feedback
Reach out to your parent’s close friends and family members, and get feedback on the obituary. They can offer valuable insights, help catch any missed details, and ensure the tribute truly reflects your parent’s life and legacy. They may remember special stories or qualities of your parents that you might have overlooked. Seeking input will also make them feel included, which is cathartic.
Finalize The Obituary
Additionally, you can add a photo of your parent to make it more personal. It will be a way to trigger memories and emotions, making the obituary feel more heartfelt and connected to your parents. You can even consider adding a quote or prayer to honor the deceased’s memory. As for publishing the obituary, traditionally, newspapers were used to inform the community. However, now you may choose to publish through an online memorial platform or use your social media to do so.
Conclusion
Writing an obituary that honors your parent’s life and achievements, preserves their legacy and celebrates them is more than just a formality. It is a meaningful, lasting tribute. Just think back to their life and jot down moments, values, and memories that were precious to them. Make sure to incorporate them after you mention basic details about the deceased. As long as your writing style is guided by genuineness and your voice, it will be authentic. Make sure to review, edit and incorporate feedback before publishing your Obituary Phoenix tribute with care and love.
