An obituary is a way to inform the community of the tragic passing of a loved one. It’s an opportunity to inform everyone of a set date and time for a funeral and burial as well.

But an obituary is also a way to honor a family member who was taken far too soon and who will be missed dearly. This small write-up should memorialize the deceased and their life journey. It should also have a major impact on how people remember a beloved member of the community.

Taking your time writing an obituary is time well spent.

Writing the Best Obituary for a Loved One

An obituary is usually written and published as soon after a tragic death as possible. It might take one to three days to get out online and in print. It’s a tight window because the community will need to be informed of the passing and of a planned funeral date.

Family members sending an obituary to a newspaper must also account for publishing deadlines and allow time for reporters to confirm the information.

Anyone contributing to an obituary should write from the heart. However, a basic guideline might help people who are dealing with grief and may have writer’s block.

Basic Information – These are basic facts about someone who’s been lost that should probably be in every obituary. Things like a full name, a date of birth, age, the date of death, and the deceased’s place of residence at the time of death.

Life’s Journey – This section might go over the deceased’s place of birth, high school and college, and occupation. The awards and accomplishments of a loved one would fit here. Hobbies and interests could also add to a powerful life’s story.

Family – A section to name the spouse and children of the deceased. A date of marriage or the years of marriage can be included. The parents of the deceased should also be mentioned. This can be the “survived by…” section.

Funeral Information – The location of a funeral and burial, along with the date and time.

Flower and Donation Information – An address for people to send sympathy cards and flowers should be offered. Any donation information in lieu of flowers could be part of a final section.

An obituary may end up being four or five paragraphs, but it can be longer. Families should check with local newspapers to see if they have a word count limit. They’ll also want to select a photo to include with the death announcement.

Honoring a Loved One by Seeking Justice in a Wrongful Death

Sadly, not everyone in California dies of natural causes. There are plenty of dangers and risks on local freeways, in public places, and in our homes that can claim lives far too early.

Careless people and businesses can contribute to a tragic death, and it’s important that they aren’t allowed to slip away from responsibility. Seeking justice for someone who was killed in an accident that shouldn’t have been allowed to happened can also honor a victim.

What’s more, a wrongful death lawsuit filed against anyone who contributed to a tragic death could help the family navigate a difficult future. In the immediate future, close relatives will face expensive funeral bills and the prospect of paying leftover medical bills.

But in the long term, loved ones will also be without the income that the deceased may have supported the family with. They’ve also had precious life moments taken from them. This can include graduations, marriages, and the birth of children shared with someone who is no longer present. It can include the source of guidance and sense of security that a loved one represented.

These are real emotional and financial damages that most families endure after a tragic loss. A wrongful death claim can be filed by a spouse, certified domestic partner, or the adult children of the victim. In some cases, a parent or sibling could file on behalf of the family.

Talking to a California Wrongful Death Attorney in a Free Consultation

A skilled California Wrongful Death Lawyer can also file a claim for the family. An attorney would fully investigate the accident and make sure blame wasn’t unfairly assigned to your loved one. Your attorney would also work to get much more for your family’s claim than they could likely hope to earn by filing themselves.

Our compassionate and professional lawyers offer a free case consultation to all family members. It comes with no obligation and is always confidential. If you require our help to secure more for your family’s future, you don’t need any upfront money. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then we are paid out of the settlement that an insurer must provide to your family.