Obituary essentials
Begin with verified facts, then add the details that show who the person was.
- Full name, age, residence, and date of death
- Important family relationships
- Education, work, service, community, faith, or interests
- Service date, location, and attendance guidance
- Memorial contribution preferences
- Names of surviving and predeceased relatives, checked carefully
A simple eulogy structure
Open by introducing your relationship, share two or three connected memories, describe the qualities those stories reveal, and close with a thought the room can carry forward.
- Write for the ear using short sentences
- Aim for one central idea rather than a full biography
- Read the draft aloud and time it
- Bring a printed copy with large, clear type
Review before publishing
Ask a family member to check names, dates, relationships, service information, and privacy-sensitive details. Funeral staff can often review length and formatting before submission to a newspaper or online notice.