FAQs
Concluding Message
In the conclusion of the obituary, special requests may be made such as, “in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to…” or “Our heartfelt thanks to the staff at General Hospital for…” Some families make the final line a dedication honoring their loved one.
Do some people not do obituaries? ›
No, obituaries are not legally required, but many choose to include them in their End-of-Life Plan as a part of their estate plan. Your estate consists of everything that you own: your house, your car, your bank accounts, your possessions, and your debts.
What are the first lines of obituaries? ›
Ideas for the Beginning Paragraph
- On (day, date), (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) passed away at the age of ____ years.
- The family of (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) is saddened to announce his/her passing on (day, date) at the age of _____ years.
What happens if no one writes an obituary? ›
First, there is no legal requirement that an obituary or death notice be published in a newspaper. For official records, see the county clerk where you think the person died. Second, some newspapers charge for or limit the number of obits in the paper. If the family does not want the extra expense, no obit.
What is the most common last words before death? ›
People's last words are often these 4 phrases: What they teach us about living happy, meaningful lives, from an oncologist
- I want to tell you that I love you.
- I want to tell you that I forgive you.
- Would you tell me that you love me?
- Would you give me your forgiveness?
What should you not say in an obituary? ›
There may be personal details which will only be told to the immediate family and friends. You should also not say hurtful or damaging things about the person that died, even though they are gone. These words could prove to be hurtful to other family members.
Is it disrespectful not to have an obituary? ›
Posting an obituary is not a legal requirement and is a sentimental action. Families don't have to publish one if they don't want it or do not have the funds to do so. While you do not have to share a death note or obituary, you must file a death certificate with your state's office.
Do obituaries have word limits? ›
The average length of an obituary is approximately 200 words, but some publications may accept obituaries as long as 450 words or as short as 50 words.
Can you leave someone out of obituary? ›
But just because someone doesn't quite fit into any of these listed roles doesn't mean they can't be a part of the obituary. And it doesn't mean they have to be included either. The obituary writer has a choice of who to include, but omitting direct relatives is likely to spark controversy within a family.
What is the last paragraph of an obituary? ›
The closing paragraph is typically rather short and includes details regarding services or gatherings, as well as any requests regarding donations being made to charities or organizations that are meaningful to the deceased.
[Full Name], aged [age of the deceased], passed away peacefully on [date of death], at [location of death]. He/she was born on [date of birth], in [birthplace], to [names of parents]. He/she was a proud resident of [city of residence] and was a 1975 graduate of Holy Cross High School.
How do I end an obituary? ›
At the end of an obituary a special message is sometimes found, such as 'in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to..' or 'Special Thanks to the staff at General Hospital for..' or 'We will always carry your memory in our hearts'. Sometimes a short prayer or a line from a poem is placed at the end.
How to say goodbye when there is no funeral? ›
Cook their favorite meal. Plant a tree or flowers in their memory. Read their favorite book, listen to their favorite music, or watch their favorite movie. On social media, you can create a Facebook or Instagram page dedicated to them, and invite others to contribute or share their memories as well.
Why do obituaries cost so much? ›
Why does it cost so much to post an obituary? Publishing an obituary in the newspaper is expensive because of the limited space papers have. Newspapers value every inch of each page, so they must charge to use that limited space for an obituary.
What should I exclude from an obituary? ›
Obituaries should not be written in the first person. This means you should not use "I" language. Remember that an obituary is not a personal tribute, like a sympathy card or condolence letter. You should also exclude personal addresses and phone numbers.
What are examples of closing words at a funeral? ›
If you're unsure how to end your eulogy, finish with a simple goodbye, or a thank you for the memories you shared. You might choose to use traditional phrases like 'rest in peace' or 'sleep well'. Or you can use something less formal, like a greeting or joke you used to share with the person who has died.
What are examples of last wishes? ›
Your last wishes can include anything you want, including funeral or cremation preferences and plans, body disposition preferences, obituary information, messages to your loved ones, requests for your final days, and personal information like where your will is.