In your
pursuit to save a dollar by publishing a short family obituary, you may in turn deny
future generations of family, friends and genealogists information on a life well-lived. I
often read obituaries that are short, almost terse, containing no information on the life
of the recently deceased loved one. A well-written obituary shares information about the
passions and the history of one’s life.
I encourage everyone who cares about genealogy and family to prepare their obituary in
advance. Sometimes it is hard to start the copy, so try to think about the following
questions: What was important to me? What did I give to the community? Who are my
descendants? Additionally, have your obituary edited by a competent editor who can help
recognize missing information and aid in clarity, and you will be more likely to have a
polished statement of your life.
Often I read that the deceased had ten children and twenty grandchildren, without any
mention of the family’s names, occupations, or hometowns. When provided, this
information is valuable to future generations as they construct their family tree or
family histories.
My mother has made a habit of keeping the obituaries of our family and friends for years.
Try to imagine the message your obituary will provide for future generations. I see
nothing wrong - and everything good - about writing your own obituary. Just as writing a
will is preparation for the inevitable, writing your obituary and designing and building
your own memorial are the actions of responsible people.
A photograph speaks volumes about a person and may be the only image of a person available
to future generations. Multiple photographs or a photograph from years before illness -
even a favorite photo as a young adult is fine - will portray your life as you would like
it portrayed. You must remember that planning allows you to be in control. Fortunately,
newspaper companies and libraries are an archive of historical data.
Write your obituary well in advance of your expected departure data. Give a copy of your
self-written obituary to the funeral home with written instructions that you would like
the obituary published upon your death. As part of your pre-need planning, provide the
funeral home with sufficient funds to be held in trust to cover your funeral expenses.
Remember, an obituary is more than an announcement of your funeral services, it is a
memorial to your legacy for generations to come.
In your
pursuit to save a dollar by publishing a short family obituary, you may in turn deny
future generations of family, friends and genealogists information on a life well-lived. I
often read obituaries that are short, almost terse, containing no information on the life
of the recently deceased loved one. A well-written obituary shares information about the
passions and the history of one’s life.