Obituary Questionnaire
How will your obituary read? What accomplishments stand out and separate you from others? Was your outstanding event, job or business related to your family or your good deeds to others? Following is an outline for an obituary. Look it over and consider how yours will read, especially the charitable activities and accomplishments.
Introduction
- Full name
- Nickname
- Date of death and age
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- City of residence at death
- Place of death
- Cause of death
Family
- Parents’ names
- Spouse’s name and how long married, and place of marriage
- Children and their spouses’ names
- Grandchildren
- Siblings
- Non-married partner or companion
- Other relatives
- Friends of note
- Pets
- List who predeceased you with dates of death
Education and work
- Education: Schools, dates graduated, degrees
- Professional designations
- Honors, awards and special recognitions and accomplishments
- Publications
- Employment and/or business history – organizations, titles or positions
- Union activities
- Professional organizations
- Military service, branch, dates, highest rank, honors and awards and where served
Personal interests
- Places of residence
- Religious affiliation and activities
- Charitable organization activities and service
- Hobbies and sports
- Other interests
- Achievements
- Unusual attributes or features
Funeral and service
- Date, time and place of service
- Who will officiate
- Speakers, pallbearers and/or others participating in service
- Visitation dates, times and location
- Place of internment
- Name of funeral home
- Where to call for additional information
Concluding information
- Where memorial donations should be directed
- People or organizations to thank
- Favorite quotation, poem, thought or remark
- Closing comment
Additional information but not for obituary
- Location of photos that will be shown at service or in announcement
- People to advise about death and funeral
- Newspapers to send obituary to
- Location of funeral instructions
- Location of will
- Location of important papers executor will need
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