Different Ways to Personalize an Obituary

An obituary can be an incredibly difficult piece to write both in terms of subject and timing. Trying to sum up a person’s life in a few short paragraphs can be daunting even for seasoned, professional writers, but trying to do it so shortly after the loss of a loved one can make an obituary feel like an impossible task.

Fortunately, this is not something you necessarily have to do on your own. An obituary is something that you can take on if you feel a responsibility to do it, or it the writing duties can be passed on to someone else if you’re more comfortable with that. But you will need to make certain contributions to have an obituary written that encapsulates what your loved one was about. There are a few simple things you can keep in mind to make this more accurate.

Focus On Unusual Details

While there will be certain obligatory pieces of information that need to be included in an obituary such as name, age, and place of birth, that’s only the beginning. What really distinguishes one obituary from another are the details unique to a particular person. If your loved one had a defining trait, habit or idiosyncrasy that you never saw anywhere else, this is a good detail to provide as it brings a more personal touch to the obituary.

Tell a Story

While an obituary shouldn’t be the entire life story of a person, if there is a particular incident or event that really sums up what your loved one was about, this should be preserved. If your loved one performed a particularly great act of charity, achieved a major accomplishment, or made a difference in someone’s life, this bears mentioning. If your loved one was known for great compassion, or a talent for performance, or anything else unique, pick the event or story that puts this in the best light.

Don’t Be Afraid Of Humor

An obituary is a serious affirmation of someone’s passing, but it shouldn’t be bleak or grim. This is especially true if the loved one who has passed on was known for happiness and humor. To pretend that the person wasn’t that for the sake of a “serious” obituary misrepresents who they really were. A funeral and an obituary are not just for mourning a loss; they are also a celebration and memorialization of the life they led. If your loved one did something that made people smile or laugh, and was the one that had a joke at the ready, it’s not an insult to gently include something similar in the obituary.

If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one and you live in Stamford, CT, you shouldn’t go through it alone. At Nutmeg Cremation, we can help you during this challenging period, with professional, experienced, compassionate staff ready to provide the guidance you need. Contact us today and let us help you.