OBITUARIESCOMM 260W - Furness

Checklist for ObituariesThe following items are all required in all obituaries:• Name, age, occupation and address of deceased• Time, place and cause of death.• Birthdate, birthplace.• Survivors (only immediate family).• Memberships, military service.• Funeral and burial arrangements.

Many obituaries will also include:• Outstanding or interesting activities and achievements.• Memberships in fraternal, religious or civic organizations.• Anecdotes and recollections of friends and relatives.

Constructing ObituariesCheck your sources• Absolutely crucial to verify details with mortuary, family, police or

hospital (depending on circumstance).• Accuracy is essential

Digging pays off• Checking files, interviewing people, finding details that animate a

person’s life.

Find the theme• Use human interest• Use quotations and incidents

Other issues

Include embarrassing and/or unflattering material?• If it is public knowledge or accurate reflection of person’s

demeanor, persona, etc.

Include cause of death?• Yes, but some kinds of death are not describe in any

detail regardless of circumstance, namely suicide.• If the person’s death is untimely, info about the

cause/nature of the death goes up front in the story. • When it is a natural death, or expected, more time is

devoted to the details of the deceased’s life