This includes the date of birth (and the time, if available), the city and state (the county is optional) of birth and the full names of the parents. PARAGRAPH 3: The deceased’s birth information. EXAMPLE: On the evening of May 15, 2012, Will passed away after a three year battle with cancer while being attended by familiar staff members at the Shady Oaks Assisted Care Facility in Billings, MT.Will was being visited and comforted by family members at the Shady Oaks Assisted Care Facility in Billings, MT at the time of his passing.

EXAMPLE: On the evening of May 15, 2012, Will passed away peacefully of natural causes.

John’s Hospital in Billings, MT as a result of injuries received in an automobile accident earlier that day.

EXAMPLE: On the evening of May 15, 2012, Will passed away at St.

It is preferable, when applicable, to include the age at death and a personal comment such as “surrounded by family” or “comforted by his wife.” Note: Sometimes it is desirable to omit the cause of death – such as when death came as a result of extreme violence, or the carrying out of a court sentence. This includes the date (and approximate time, if available) of death the location of the death and the cause of death. PARAGRAPH 2: The deceased’s death information.

EXAMPLE: William “Will” Harold Johnson, Sr.

This includes nicknames, middle names and extensions such a Jr., Sr. Provide the readers of the obituary you write with whatever information you can. Many times, an obituary must be much, much shorter due to any number of factors, including the inability to contact friends and relatives from early years. If all of the steps are included, it constitutes an exceptional obituary. Please note that not all of the following steps have to be included. Examples are provided when they are appropriate. It is designed to provide practical support in an easy-to-follow manner. Stevenson & Sons has prepared this document to help people who are called upon to create an obituary. And while there is a growing list of resources to support the novice obituary author, there is still a profound lack of practical, helpful, easy-to-use assistance available. For most authors, the obituary will be the most read piece of writing they have ever created – or ever will create.ĭespite the above factors, most people who are called upon to compose an obituary are utterly unprepared to do so. It will be read by family members, loved ones, friends, acquaintances and many others who are simply interested in reading about neighbors who have passed away. It will be read in newspapers for several weeks, and on the internet far into the future. The person writing an obituary is being asked to create a document that is going to be read by many, many people.

Writing an obituary is both a great honor - and a great responsibility…

Sample of obituary program