Nwitimes Obituaries (2024)

FAQs

What is the best obituary ever written? ›

The obituary of 82-year-old Connecticuter Joe Heller, penned by his daughter Monique Heller, was praised as the “best obituary ever” by The New York Times, which also profiled Heller's “wacky” funeral, a casual affair that saw his coffin carried off in a vintage Mack fire truck.

Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one. Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.

You might be wondering, “Do I actually need an obituary?” It's not a legal requirement, but it's a nice way to pay tribute to your loved one. However, there are times when people don't an obituary. Here are some common reasons why you may or may not need to post one.

When writing an obituary, leave out details that could be used for identity theft, such as the deceased's date and place of birth, middle name, maiden name and mother's maiden name. And don't include the deceased's home address.

Concluding Message

Some families make the final line a dedication honoring their loved one. Phrases like “We will always carry your memory in our hearts,” or perhaps a favorite quote of your loved one are heartfelt and personal.

You are under no legal obligation to take out a death notice or obituary. Think of the latter as a final gift to your loved one—a celebration of who they were and the legacy they created. The former is more of a courtesy to give people information so they too can honor and memorialize the dearly departed.

Obituaries should not be written in the first person. This means you should not use "I" language. Remember that an obituary is not a personal tribute, like a sympathy card or condolence letter. You should also exclude personal addresses and phone numbers.

Someone who wants to have the last word even in death. Someone who knows who they are, the lives they led, the choices they made and how those choices impacted their generation. It's basically someone who wants to tell their own story and get real and raw about it in ways only they can.

There are so many ways to pay a personal tribute to your loved one, and art is both healing and a release. Write about or to them, or journal about how you're feeling. Cook their favorite meal. Plant a tree or flowers in their memory.

What do you say in an obituary when there is no service? ›

Obituary Example: No Funeral or Memorial. [Full name] sadly passed away on [date of death] at their home in [place of passing]. They always spread joy and happiness wherever they went. As per [first name]'s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.

While there are many benefits to writing an obituary, there are also reasons why a family might not want to. Some may feel that it is too personal or private to share with the public, while others may not have the financial means to pay for its publication.

What does it mean when you can't find an obituary? Well if you're looking in a newspaper for it & don't see it, that could mean the family didn't pay for it to appear in the paper. It's very expensive to put an obituary in newspapers. It could also mean the family chooses to keep it private.

Obituary writers sometimes deliberately distort the truth in their stories. False obituaries are written for many reasons: concealing a divorce, excluding children from another marriage, exaggerating a deceased's accomplishments, or excluding certain relatives.

Obituary Example 2: “We bid farewell to [full name], a true friend and beacon of light, who departed from this world on [date of death], leaving behind a legacy of warmth and kindness. [First name] walked through life with a gentle strength, touching the lives of everyone they encountered with an unforgettable grace.

There are seven basic parts to a good obituary: the announcement of your loved one's death; a summary of their life story; a list of their closest family members; information about any funeral and/or memorial services; a mention of any charities they supported; and a photo.