How to write an obituary:
- Remember an obituary details the life of your loved one and can be written as a story.
(Obituary length is sometimes dictated by space available, so be sure to check with the newspaper to determine how much room there is. Most newspapers charge by the word or line, and are very expensive, so keep that in mind).

- Obituaries include biographical information about your loved one including their interests, education, things they accomplished, hobbies and other significant events in their life.

- Surviving relatives should be listed by name and other relatives can be listed by number in terms of their relationship. For example, the deceased had 5 nieces and 4 grandchildren, etc.

- List the services that will be held, where they will be, and all pertinent details of the services. Be sure to mention where to send flowers if so desired, or if you choose to request donations be made in lieu of, list the organization and how a donation can be made. 

What an Obituary typically includes:

- Full name of loved one

- Time, place and circumstance of death

- Biographical information about the life of your loved one

- Survivors: parents, spouse and children, adopted, half and step children, siblings and half and step siblings, grandparents and in some cases close friends

- Funeral service, wake, viewing, repast, burial at sea, and other service information

- Instructions on how to honor the deceased (flowers or charity donation information)

- Someone in charge of funeral arrangements should be listed with a phone number.

- Sometimes a photograph of your loved one.