How To Write An Obituary In Oklahoma City

Let us offer our condolences for your loss. We hope that this guide on writing an obituary in Oklahoma City will help make things a bit easier for you during this period of grief. 

A good obituary typically includes key elements like an announcement of death, a brief biography, family details, service times, special messages, and photos. It should reflect the unique personality and impact of the departed while being clear and respectful. To make an obituary memorable, you must mention meaningful memories shared with your loved one and things you’ll never forget about them. This helps people understand the person's real personality and cherish the good memories. 

What Is An Obituary?

An obituary is a heartfelt summary of a person’s life, shared after their passing. It tells about who they were, what they did, and who their family is. Obituaries serve many purposes, such as acknowledging a loss, celebrating a life, and providing important information about services and memorials. They can also bring comfort by sharing meaningful moments or qualities of the person who has passed. Writing with care and thought ensures the obituary is both heartfelt and informative.

Tips To Write An Obituary In Oklahoma City

We understand that writing an obituary for a loved one can be challenging and emotional. It is a way to honor their memory, share their life story, and inform the community of their passing. Therefore, we have developed this guide to help you with the process. An obituary typically includes 6 basic parts:

1. Death Announcement

Start the obituary by sharing the news of their passing. Include their full name, known nicknames, residence, age, and the date and location of their passing. If you feel comfortable, you can also share how they died. You can keep it simple and factual or make it more personal; it's up to you.

2. Share Their Life Story

This is the part where you talk about your loved one’s life. You can share the best things about them and what made them special. This section highlights the unique aspects of your loved one’s life, making the obituary personal and meaningful.

Start with the basics: when and where they were born, where they lived, the schools they attended, their jobs, and whether they served in the military or joined any groups. You can also discuss their hobbies, special skills, big achievements, happy memories, or funny moments that show their personality. This helps others remember the good times. End with a few words about what you will never forget about them. Keep it meaningful and simple. Aim for brevity while capturing their essence. 

3. List family members.

Most obituaries include a list of close family members. This can be the person’s spouse or partner, parents, children, siblings, and grandchildren. You can name them or say something like “five grandchildren.” You can also add other people who were very special to them.

Include close relatives such as spouses, children, siblings, and grandchildren. You may also mention extended family, close friends, or even beloved pets.

4. Add Funeral or Memorial Service Details

Share clear and simple information about the funeral service. Include where and when the visitation, funeral, burial, or memorial service will happen. Mention the name of the funeral home. If the service is private, let people know.

If you plan a special memorial, you can ask family and friends to bring photos or keepsakes to share.

5. Don’t Forget Adding Charity Information

Usually, families ask for donations to a charity instead of flowers. If your loved one supported any causes, you can list them here so that friends and family can make donations. The charity could be linked to their illness or anything they care about. 

If you are raising money for the funeral, you can add details here too. Include the name, address, or website of the charity or fundraiser so people can easily donate. Write something like: "In place of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association," or "The family is asking for help with funeral costs." 

6. Select a Photo

Adding a photo to an obituary is optional, but it can help people remember the person fondly. Choose a clear picture that shows their face, like a portrait or close-up. You can pick a recent photo of them looking happy and healthy or one from their younger years. Many families like to use a favorite picture from the best time in their loved one’s life.

If the obituary will be published in a newspaper, check its rules for photo size and how to send it. Funeral homes can often help you with this if needed.

If you can't decide on one photo, remember that online obituaries often allow you to include more pictures or even videos.

To Sum Up

Writing an obituary in Oklahoma City for a loved one can be difficult. It is a way to remember their life, share their story, and inform the community about their passing. An obituary usually includes six main parts: the death announcement, a life story, family details, funeral or memorial service information, charity details, and a photo. These sections can help people understand who the person was and how they affected others. If possible, choose a clear photo of your loved one that shows them happy and healthy. It can be comforting for friends and family to see these memories and remember the good times together.