Article: In your opening sentence, start with their name, where they lived, and when they passed away. You don't need to provide the cause of death if you don't want to. Keep the sentence brief and to the point so you can expand the obituary in other places. For example, you may write, "On the morning of June 10, 2019, John Smith of Atlanta died at the age of 80." If you don't want to use the word "died" because it feels too blunt, try using phrases such as "passed away" or "went to be with the Lord" if they're religious. List the city where they were born, their parents, and important events that happened in your loved one's life. You can either list events chronologically or you can put them in order of what you feel is the most important. Try to use as few words as possible so the obituary is concise. For example, you may write, "John was born to Tom and Jill Smith in 1950. He received his bachelor's degree in 1976 and managed John's Restaurant in Atlanta for 22 years. In July 1980, he married Jane Doe, and together raised two children, Anna and Benjamin." Create a list of major points in your loved one's life on a separate sheet of paper so you have options to choose from. Avoid listing their mother's maiden name or your loved one's birthdate in the biography since identity thieves could steal the information and commit fraud. Including personal details will capture the spirit of your loved one so others understand what their life was like. Create a list of hobbies or activities they actively participated in and how it affected other people. For example, you may say, "John was an avid car collector in spare time. When he wasn't working at his restaurant, he would restore classic cars and show them at car shows. He was known for his good sense of humor and his contagious laughter among his friends." You don't need to include this section if you don't have the space for it in your obituary. Mention close family members, such as immediate family and parents, by name. When you want to list extended family, use a collective phrase or list the specific number. For others that have passed away before your loved one, use the phrase "preceded in death by," and use "survived by" before listing any relatives still living. For example, you may write, "John is preceded in death by his father, Tom, and his mother, Jill. He is survived by his wife, Jane, his 2 children, Anna and Benjamin, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews." If you're holding a public service, list the time and date along with the name of the funeral home. Make sure to list the specific details so others who were close to your loved one know where to go. For example, you could write, "A public memorial service will be held at 11:30 AM on June 13th, 2019 at the Church of Christ." You do not have to provide any information if there is not a public service.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Announce the name and time of death in the first sentence. Include a short summary of their life as the next paragraph. Add a short paragraph about hobbies, passions, or personal characteristics. List close family members in the third paragraph. Provide details about the memorial and funeral service if it's public.