Obituary Companies: Simplifying Honoring Loved Ones
Planning a funeral while grieving is one of life’s toughest tasks. Balancing the need to honour someone with your own emotions and responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Crafting an obituary, a lasting recognition of their life, may seem daunting during such a vulnerable time. Each month, over 40 million people visit Legacy.com to post and read obituaries, highlighting the importance of these tributes in preserving memories and connecting people across distances.
This blog explores how obituary companies can simplify creating a meaningful farewell. These services ease the burden during a difficult time, offering support and guidance to craft a thoughtful tribute. By using these resources, you can focus on cherishing memories while ensuring their legacy is honoured with care and dignity.
How Obituary Companies Help Share the News of a Passing
How to Submit a Death Notice or Obituary Online
Sharing the news of someone's passing online is a kind way to honour their life. First, choose where to post it. Options include social media, a local newspaper, or a memorial site. Collect important information such as the person’s name, date of passing, and a few memories or photos. Many sites offer easy templates to help you write it and also provide rules about word limits and set-up. After submission, the site will check your obituary before posting. For more help on writing one, our blog post goes into more detail.
The Purpose of an Obituary
What Exactly Is an Obituary? Understanding Its True Purpose
An obituary is a written announcement of someone’s passing that summarises their life. It celebrates their achievements, passions, and the impact they had on others. It helps people remember their legacy and the love they shared. The obituary allows the community to come together and reflect, while also honouring their journey.
Do I Have to Write One?
Writing an obituary is not required, but it can be a meaningful way to share the news. It celebrates their life and story, and provides important information about the funeral or memorial service. It helps honour the memories that brought comfort and meaning to others.
When Do I Publish an Obituary?
Obituaries are best published within a week of passing. This gives people time to make arrangements to attend the service. Early publication helps others reflect and prepare.
What to Include in an Obituary
Essential Details to Include
An obituary includes the person’s name, age, life story, and key dates. It can also highlight significant life moments or achievements. Many families include information about the funeral or service, and mention any charitable donations. This helps others honour the person's memory.
Checklist for Writing an Obituary
Use a checklist to ensure you include key points:
- Basic Information
- Full name and nickname
- Date and place of birth and passing
- Age at passing
- Family Information
- Immediate family (spouse, children, etc.)
- Mention of surviving family members
- Life Overview
- Key accomplishments, education and career highlights
- Hobbies
- Military service
- Religion
- Funeral or Memorial Service Details
- Date, time, and location of the service
- Information about where flowers can be sent.
- Personal Touches
- A favourite quote or poem
- Special Instructions
- Requests such as donations instead of flowers
Obituary vs Death Notice
What Is a Death Notice?
A death notice is a short announcement of a person’s passing, including their name, date of death, and service information.
How Are They Different?
A death notice provides basic facts, while an obituary offers a more detailed tribute, reflecting on the life and achievements of the deceased.
Obituary vs Eulogy
What Is a Eulogy?
A eulogy is a personal speech given during a service, sharing memories and celebrating the person’s character.
How Are They Different?
Obituaries are written notices for public sharing that include important facts and stories. Eulogies, on the other hand, are spoken and focus on personal reflections shared with those attending the service.
Funeral Home and Obituaries
The Role of Obituary Companies and Funeral Homes in Writing and Publishing Tributes
Funeral homes often support families in creating obituaries by helping to collect details and compose a meaningful tribute to the deceased. Although the family usually takes the lead in writing, funeral homes offer guidance, practical suggestions, and templates to simplify the process. This service is sometimes included in their offerings, while others may charge separately for it.
How Much Do Funeral Homes Charge
Costs vary widely. They depend on factors like the length of the obituary, where it is published, whether in a newspaper or online, and if drafting, editing, or posting and publication is required. Prices typically range from $50 to $600.
The Best Obituary Websites
The World's Largest Obituary Database
Legacy.com is the largest obituary site online, offering services for posting tributes, sharing photos, and connecting with others. It partners with newspapers and funeral homes to host millions of obituaries, providing both free and paid options.
Other Websites
- Keeper – Free to use, with pages and unlimited photos.
- Forever Missed – Free for basic features, with a premium plan for extras.
- Memories.net – Free basic tributes, with premium features available.
- Ever Loved – Free for tributes and event details, with paid options for more customisation.
- Murial – Premium plans for features like music and custom pages.
Other Obituary Services
A Simple Solution with Mobile Access
The MyObits.com platform offers a convenient way to create and share personalised tributes. It offers a user-friendly interface for crafting personalised tributes, allowing contributions from family and friends. The obituary can be shared online privately or publicly, and updates can be managed through mobile access. It’s a practical tool for sharing funeral details and keeping loved ones informed in a straightforward, accessible way.
In addition to creating tributes, this platform allows users to share details privately or publicly, giving families control over how information is shared. Funeral homes can also raise funds on behalf of families to help cover funeral costs. MyObits further facilitates sending or receiving flower arrangements, adding convenience during a challenging time.
These services make it easier for families to manage various parts of the funeral process in one place, offering practical support when it's most needed.
Limitations of Offline Services
Printed obituaries in newspapers have limitations. They can be expensive, restricted in length, and difficult to update once published.
Free Obituary Examples
How to Honour Someone Without Cost
Free platforms like Ever Loved and AfterAll Free Writer allow families to create tributes, share stories, and upload photos without fees. Social media and many funeral homes also offer free guestbooks and submission services.
Tips for Writing a Short and Clear Obituary
Use simple language to create a vivid and heartfelt tribute. Instead of listing every detail, focus on moments that tell a meaningful story about their life. Highlight one or two defining traits or accomplishments that capture their personality. Include practical details, such as funeral arrangements or ways to honor their memory, to provide clarity for those reading.
Remember, it’s okay to leave some details untold, what matters is creating a connection with readers. A thoughtfully written obituary celebrates a life well-lived while bringing comfort to those mourning the loss.
Honour Life and Keep Memories Alive
Obituary companies, with their thoughtful services and practical tools, bridge the gap between heartfelt tributes and the logistical demands of saying goodbye. For busy individuals balancing grief with responsibilities, these resources offer more than convenience, they provide a dignified way to celebrate a life well-lived, preserving legacies for generations.
If you're looking for another way to honour your loved one, read our blog on memorial guest books. These keepsakes not only gather cherished memories but also provide a special way to honour their life during a service. Explore our full collection to find a book that beautifully reflects their unique personality.