NEWSPAPER GUIDELINES
There are many ways to say farewell from formal funeral services to private home-setting celebrations. They all form a part of the way we say goodbye. Obituaries or death notices, however, are a public way we share our final farewell celebration. It is part of the way we say goodbye - the public posting of final words. Some obituaries indicate much thought and much reflection on the life that was lived.
A death notice is a minimal amount or notice. An obituary is usually a more detailed account of a person's life and is often prepared for the newspaper from a form that the family fills out. Obituaries are a written form of collective remembrances. They remind us of others as well as ourselves - parents or grandparents of friends, the young suddenly departing, the loss of `valiant struggles' against diseases not yet conquered.
When community members leave, whether we know them personally or not, we mark their time with us by publicly commemorating their passing. The final words are one way we say goodbye and the way we will remember. These final words are often the way survivors pay tribute, perhaps make amends, and express hope for immortality.
CARDS OF
THANKS
This is an insertion in the paper where you
thank people that helped you during your time of need. Typically people
thank their Doctors, Nurses and friends.
OBITUARIESThis details the personal
data, background, funeral details as well as the survivors of the
deceased.
IN
MEMORIAMSThis generally states the deceased's
name and the date of passing. It is not uncommon for survivors to include a short poem that fits the
occassion.
DEATH
NOTICE
The death notice gives detail about where the person
passed on, who is survivied by them and the location and date of the
funeral.
EXAMPLE OF OBITUARY WORK SHEET:
OBITUARY WORKSHEET FOR __________________________________ PAGE 1 OF 3
You may add to this or not fill in spaces
Photo Y__N__
Name of deceased__________________________________ Sex M__ F____
Age________ City/State of residence.________________________________
Date of Death_________________ Place of death. _____________________
Cause of Death_________________________________________________
Date of birth_____________ Place of birth____________________________
Father's name __________________________________________________
Surviving? Y__N_ if surviving, where__________ Year died_______________
Mother’s name (maiden in parenthesis)________________________________
Surviving? Y__ N__ if surviving, where__________ Year died_____________
EDUCATION
High school_________________ City/State_____________ Grad Year______
College____________________ City/State_____________ Grad Year______
College____________________ City/State_____________ Grad Year______
Graduated from high school? Y____ N___
Graduated from college? Y____N____
MILITARY SERVICE
Branch of service_____ Approximate dates of service_____________________
Highest rank achieved_____________________________________________
Major awards of medals___________________________________________
EMPLOYMENT
Main career/employment___________________________________________
Total number of years___ Retired? No___ Yes___ (specific year)____________
MEMBERSHIP AND INTERESTS
Clubs/hobbies/interests_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Religious Membership. _____________________________________________
Personal Qualities (e.g. Loving, Caring, Outgoing, Strong, Faithful)____________
______________________________________________________________
OBITUARY WORKSHEET FOR __________________________________ PAGE 2 OF 3
SURVIVORS
Spouse/Companion (maiden name in parenthesis)_______________________
Date of Marriage__________ Place of Marriage________________________
Surviving Y____ N____ If surviving, where?___________ Year died.________
Sons/city and state________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Daughters/city and state.___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Brothers/city and state._____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Sisters/city and state.______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Grandparents/ city and state.________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Number of grandchildren.__________ Great Grandchildren_________
Great-Great-Grandchildren___________
Preceded in death by (children and siblings, etc)
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
OBITUARY WORKSHEET FOR __________________________________ PAGE 3 OF 3
SERVICES AND ARRANGEMENTS
Visitation
Location__________________________ Time_________ Date___________
Rosary location_____________________ Time_________ Date___________
Funeral_____ Memorial_____ Graveside_____ Mass______ Private________
Time and date of service___________________________________________
Location ______________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
Interment____ Inurnment____ Entombment____
Location_______________________________________________________
Memorial Donations to (address)_____________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Arrangements entrusted to Jerns and Jerns-McKinney Funeral Chapel
Paper/s: Times___________ PI___________ Herald_________
Other__________________________________________________________
Days
for the obituary to run
SUN____
MON____ TUE____ WED____ THUR____ FRI____ SAT____
Billing information
Name___________________________________________
Address_________________________________________
City______________________________ State________ Zip______________
Phone (_____)_____-_________