Writing an obituary for someone you love is one of those tasks that can feel surprisingly difficult, even if you consider yourself a good writer. You want to capture a whole life, someone's personality, their relationships, their impact, in just a few paragraphs. It's a lot of pressure at a time when you're already dealing with grief.
The good news is that you don't have to be a professional writer to create an obituary that truly honors your loved one. At
Gianaris-Gliniecki & Beauregard Funeral Home, we've helped many families in Webster and throughout Massachusetts put together obituaries, and we're happy to share a simple, step-by-step approach that makes the process feel more manageable.
Step 1: Start With the Basic Facts
Every obituary needs a foundation of key information. This is the easiest part to write, and it helps to get it down first so you can build the rest of the story around it. Include:
- Full name (and nickname, if they were known by one)
- Age at the time of passing
- City and state of residence
- Date of passing
- Date and place of birth
- Names of surviving family members, and family members who passed before them
Getting these details settled early gives you a clear structure to work from as you move into the more personal parts of the obituary.
Step 2: Write a Brief Life Summary
Once you have the basics down, it's time to give a short overview of your loved one's life story.
This doesn't need to cover everything, just the major chapters. Think about:
- Where they grew up and where they lived throughout their life
- Their education
- Their career or life's work
- Military service, if applicable
- Major milestones, like marriage or the birth of children and grandchildren
You don't need to include every job they ever held or every place they lived. Focus on the details that shaped who they were.
Step 3: Capture Their Personality and Passions
This is where an obituary starts to feel like it's truly about the person, not just a list of facts. Think about the things that made them who they were.
- What did they love to do in their free time?
- Did they have a favorite hobby, sport, or tradition?
- Were they known for a particular sense of humor, a saying they always used, or a signature dish they made?
- What organizations, churches, or community groups were they involved in?
These small, specific details are often what people remember most. A grandfather who always had a fishing rod in his truck, or a mother who never missed a Sunday phone call, these details bring the obituary to life in a way that facts alone can't.
Step 4: Include Meaningful Relationships
Family and close relationships are often at the heart of an obituary. Beyond simply listing names, consider adding a sentence or two about what those relationships meant.
For example, instead of just writing "survived by his wife, Mary," you might say "he is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Mary, who was his partner in every adventure." A small addition like this can turn a list of names into a heartfelt tribute.
Step 5: Mention Service Details
Once the personal tribute is written, it's time to include the practical information families and friends will need:
- Visitation date, time, and location
- Funeral or memorial service date, time, and location
- Burial or interment details, if applicable
- Information about donations in lieu of flowers, if the family prefers that
This section is straightforward, but it's important to get it right, since it's often the first thing readers look for.
Step 6: Read It Out Loud and Ask for Input
Before finalizing the obituary, read it out loud. This helps you catch anything that sounds awkward or feels incomplete. It's also worth sharing a draft with a sibling, close family member, or friend who knew your loved one well. They may remember a detail or story that deserves to be included, and a second set of eyes can help make sure nothing important was left out.
A Few Extra Tips
- Keep it personal, not perfect. An obituary doesn't need to sound formal or polished. Writing in a warm, natural tone often feels more genuine than something stiff or overly formal.
- It's okay to keep it short. Some families prefer a brief, simple obituary, while others want something longer and more detailed. Both are perfectly appropriate.
- Don't be afraid to add humor. If your loved one had a great sense of humor, a lighthearted detail or two can bring a smile to readers, even amid the sadness.
- Take your time, if you can. While obituaries often need to be finalized quickly, even a short pause to gather your thoughts can help you write something you'll be proud of.
We're Here to Help
Writing an obituary is a meaningful way to honor someone's life, but you don't have to do it alone. Our team at Gianaris-Gliniecki & Beauregard Funeral Home is happy to help you put your loved one's story into words, whether you need
guidance getting started or someone to help polish a draft you've already written.
Once it's ready, we'll help you publish it on our Obituary Listing page, where family and friends throughout Webster and the surrounding Massachusetts communities can read it, share memories, and stay updated on service details.
If you'd like help writing an obituary for a loved one, please reach out to us or call us at 508-461-5082. We're honored to help you tell their story.
