How to Share a Loved One's Story: A Simple Guide

When someone close to us passes away, sharing their story can be a meaningful way to honor their memory. This process, often called writing an obituary, lets people know about the person's life and the impact they had. But how exactly does one go about doing this? First, it's important to gather all the necessary details. This includes the person's full name, date of birth, and date of death. Photos can also be included to make the obituary more personal. But before submitting anything, there are a few things to keep in mind. One key aspect is verifying the death. This can be done by including the contact information of the funeral home or cremation service handling the arrangements. Alternatively, a photo of the death certificate can also serve this purpose. This step is crucial as it ensures the information is accurate and respectful. Another important consideration is the timing. Obituaries can be scheduled for any future date, but they must be submitted by a specific deadline to ensure they are published on time. This usually means getting the information in by the afternoon before the desired publication date. When it comes to payment, credit cards are typically the accepted method. It's also worth noting that a proof of the obituary will be sent for review before payment is required. This allows for any last-minute changes or corrections to be made. Lastly, it's helpful to know that while many obituaries come through funeral homes, families can also submit them directly. This can be done via email, with the text of the obituary included in the body of the email or as an attachment. Including contact information for the person submitting the obituary is also important.