Key Tips for Writing a Cremation Obituary—and What to Leave Out

Writing an obituary is never easy. While there are no hard and fast rules, an obituary is typically a notice of death—different from a death certificate—published in a newspaper, online, or used at a memorial service or funeral wake. Most obituaries are written as a matter of fact and contain information about the person’s death and any services that may follow. Compiling an obituary for a cremation service is not that different from traditional funeral obituaries.

How to Write an Obituary for a Cremation

The first step would be to call your local newspaper and ask for requirements or guidelines on submitting the obituary, as many newspapers will only publish an article in a specific format. Before you begin writing, you should gather the following:

• Deceased’s full name as you would like it published
• Date and place of birth
• Date of death
• A good photo
• The memorial time and date
• The name and address of where the funeral or memorial services will take place

What to Include in an Obituary

Here are a few general guidelines for writing an obituary.

Begin with:

1. Full name of the deceased
2. Age
3. Date and place of birth
4. Date of death
5. Where the deceased lived
6. Summary of life Begin at birth and work forward—imagine yourself as a storyteller, and you’re about to tell the story of someone’s life. Here, you can either be straightforward and factual or heartfelt.
7. List of relatives Provide a list of relatives, both living and deceased, and include the full names of the deceased’s parents, siblings, partner, and children. You can also mention aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
8. Memorial details Include the memorial details for the event that will be taking place to celebrate the deceased’s life. Share the details in order of time, day, date, place, and location. Be sure to include any other information people need to know if attending the service.
9. Donations Nowadays, it is common to ask readers to forgo sending flowers and rather make a donation to a charity or memorial fund.

What to Omit From an Obituary

There are a few things that can be omitted from an obituary if the family wishes to keep those details private, and others should not be included altogether.

Optional Exclusions

• Cause of death (the family may choose to withhold this)
• Exact date of birth
• Mother’s maiden name
• Address of the deceased or the family
• Education
• Parents
• Ex-spouses
• Children
• Jobs or careers

Compulsory Exclusions

• Negative feelings
• Jokes

Methods for Publicizing Obituaries

There are two options for publicizing an obituary:

1. Newspaper Publication

1. Determine which newspaper to use It is common for the family to publish an obituary in multiple newspapers, so start by making a list of which newspapers you would like to use. Some examples include local newspapers, national newspapers, industry publications, community publications or magazines, volunteer newsletters, and church or religious newsletters.
2. Take note of guidelines Make sure to contact the newspapers to find their guidelines and pay close attention to them when writing the obituary.
3. Check on the newspaper’s website The next step is to look on the newspaper’s website for a way to submit digitally. Some places will require you to submit it in person, but this is increasingly uncommon.
4. Request a proof copy Before the obituary is published, ask the newspaper to send you a proof version to ensure everything is correct.
5. Ask the funeral home If you are using a funeral home, they are typically willing to submit an obituary to any local publications on your behalf. It may cost extra, but it will be worth the peace of mind.
6. Submit to smaller publications directly If the deceased was a part of an organization or group, you could submit an obituary directly to them as well.

2. Online Publication

1. Find online resources Make a list of places that allow online obituaries like funeral home websites, online newspapers, church or religious websites, community groups, and online obituary websites.
2. Consider any added costs Most funeral homes offer to publish an online obituary as part of their service. However, other online platforms might charge an extra fee.
3. Check the formatting requirements Just like with a newspaper, there will generally be formatting requirements and guidelines. You can find these on the guideline or submit page of any online platform you choose. If there are no guidelines available, contact the website directly to make sure.
4. Don’t forget social media Posting on social media has become a popular way for people to connect with friends and family and honor their loved ones.

Have a look at our article on ash scattering ceremony ideas for your loved one.