Banks & Beals: A Comprehensive Guide to Obituaries

Introduction

Obituaries are an important part of our society. They allow us to mourn the loss of loved ones, celebrate their lives, and connect with our past. In recent years, there has been a trend towards online obituaries, which offer a number of advantages over traditional print obituaries.

Types of Obituaries

There are many different types of obituaries, each with its own unique purpose and style. Some of the most common types include:

• Traditional obituaries: These are the most common type of obituary, and they typically include basic information about the deceased, such as their name, date of birth, date of death, and cause of death. They may also include a brief biography of the deceased, as well as information about their family and friends.
• Extended obituaries: These obituaries are longer than traditional obituaries, and they typically include more detailed information about the deceased, such as their education, career, and hobbies. They may also include quotes from family and friends, as well as a more detailed description of the deceased's life and legacy.
• Memorial obituaries: These obituaries are written in memory of someone who has died, and they typically focus on the deceased's life and accomplishments. They may include personal anecdotes and memories from family and friends, as well as a reflection on the deceased's impact on the world.
• Obituary poems: These obituaries are written in the form of a poem, and they typically express the author's grief and loss over the death of a loved one. They may be written in a variety of styles, from traditional sonnets to free verse.
• Online obituaries: These obituaries are published on a website or social media platform, and they offer a number of advantages over traditional print obituaries. They are available to a wider audience, they are easier to find and share, and they can be updated with new information as it becomes available.

How to Write an Obituary

If you are writing an obituary for a loved one, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you should decide what type of obituary you want to write. If you are writing a traditional obituary, you will want to include basic information about the deceased, such as their name, date of birth, date of death, and cause of death. You may also want to include a brief biography of the deceased, as well as information about their family and friends. If you are writing an extended obituary, you will want to include more detailed information about the deceased, such as their education, career, and hobbies. You may also want to include quotes from family and friends, as well as a more detailed description of the deceased's life and legacy.

Once you have decided what type of obituary you want to write, you should start by gathering information about the deceased. This information can come from a variety of sources, such as family and friends, the deceased's medical records, and online databases. Once you have gathered all of the necessary information, you can start writing the obituary.

When writing the obituary, it is important to be clear and concise. You should also use a respectful and compassionate tone. It is also important to be accurate and to check your facts before submitting the obituary for publication.

Where to Find Obituaries

There are a number of places where you can find obituaries. These include:

• Local newspapers: Local newspapers typically publish obituaries for people who live in the area.
• Online obituaries: There are a number of websites that publish obituaries, such as Legacy.com and Findagrave.com.
• Social media: Many people post obituaries on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter.
• Funeral homes: Funeral homes often have obituaries for their clients on their websites.

Tips for Writing an Obituary

Here are a few tips for writing an obituary:

• Start by gathering information about the deceased. This information can come from a variety of sources, such as family and friends, the deceased's medical records, and online databases.
• Decide what type of obituary you want to write. There are many different types of obituaries, each with its own unique purpose and style.
• Be clear and concise. Obituaries should be easy to read and understand.
• Use a respectful and compassionate tone. Obituaries should be written in a respectful and compassionate tone.
• Be accurate and check your facts. It is important to be accurate and to check your facts before submitting the obituary for publication.

Stories and What We Learn

Here are a few stories about obituaries that we can learn from:

• The story of the woman who wrote her own obituary. A woman in her 80s wrote her own obituary and had it published in her local newspaper. She wanted to make sure that her obituary was accurate and that it reflected her life and legacy.
• The story of the man who used his obituary to raise awareness about a rare disease. A man in his 50s used his obituary to raise awareness about a rare disease that he had been diagnosed with. He wanted to help others who were suffering from the same disease.
• The story of the family who used their loved one's obituary to connect with other families who had lost a loved one. A family used their loved one's obituary to connect with other families who had lost a loved one to the same disease. They wanted to share their experiences and offer support to other families who were grieving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when writing an obituary:

• Being too vague. Obituaries should be specific and provide details about the deceased's life and legacy.
• Being too sentimental. Obituaries should be respectful and compassionate, but they should not be overly sentimental.
• Being inaccurate. It is important to be accurate and to check your facts before submitting the obituary for publication.
• Using offensive language. Obituaries should be respectful and compassionate, and they should not use offensive language.

Step-by-Step Approach to Writing an Obituary

Here is a step-by-step approach to writing an obituary:

1. Gather information about the deceased. This information can come from a variety of sources, such as family and friends, the deceased's medical records, and online databases.
2. Decide what type of obituary you want to write. There are many different types of obituaries, each with its own unique purpose and style.
3. Write the obituary. When writing the obituary, it is important to be clear and concise. You should also use a respectful and compassionate tone. It is also important to be accurate and to check your facts before submitting the obituary for publication.
4. Submit the obituary for publication. You can submit the obituary to a local newspaper, an online obituary website, or a social media platform.

Conclusion

Obituaries are an important part of our society. They allow us to mourn the loss of loved ones, celebrate their lives, and connect with our past. In recent years