The loss of a loved one is an emotionally challenging time for families, filled with grief, heartache, and an overwhelming number of decisions to make. Among these decisions, one of the most important is the writing and publishing of an obituary. An obituary serves as both an announcement of a person’s death and a tribute to their life. It provides an opportunity to share memories, highlight accomplishments, and inform others of the funeral or memorial service arrangements.
At Don Brown Funeral Home, the team understands the sensitive nature of this task and offers families compassionate support throughout the obituary process. From writing to submitting, Don Brown Funeral Home ensures that the obituary is a respectful, accurate, and meaningful reflection of the deceased’s life. In this article, we will explore the significance of obituaries, the services offered by Don Brown Funeral Home, and why an obituary is such an important part of the grieving process.
Table of Contents
What is an Obituary?
An obituary is a written notice of someone’s death, usually published in a newspaper, on a funeral home website, or on an online obituary platform. In addition to simply announcing the death, an obituary typically includes details about the deceased’s life, their family members, and funeral arrangements. It may also provide information about how to make donations in the deceased’s honor, as well as personal tributes that reflect their life and legacy.
Obituaries vary in length, but most follow a general format and include the following details:
- Full name of the deceased
- Date of birth and date of death
- Names of surviving family members, such as children, spouse, siblings, and parents
- Biographical details, including accomplishments, career, education, and hobbies
- Details of the funeral or memorial service, such as date, time, and location
- Instructions for memorial donations, if applicable
The obituary serves multiple purposes. It provides a way for the community to learn of the death, helps people to pay their respects, and gives the family a way to reflect on and honor the deceased’s life.
The Role of Don Brown Funeral Home in Obituaries
At Don Brown Funeral Home, the team goes above and beyond to help families during one of the most difficult times in their lives. The funeral home not only provides services related to funeral planning but also plays a vital role in helping families craft, review, and submit obituaries.
Here’s how Don Brown Funeral Home assists families with obituary-related services:
1. Guidance in Writing the Obituary
For many families, writing an obituary can feel overwhelming. The emotional weight of losing a loved one can make it difficult to know where to start. Don Brown Funeral Home understands this challenge and provides compassionate guidance to help families write an obituary that honors their loved one. They assist in gathering important details, such as the deceased’s life story, family members, and any personal achievements or special memories to include.
The funeral home team can offer suggestions and examples to help families structure the obituary, ensuring it is informative, respectful, and personalized to the individual’s life. By taking the time to listen to family members’ stories, Don Brown Funeral Home ensures that the obituary reflects the unique qualities and legacy of the deceased.
2. Personalizing the Obituary
An obituary is an opportunity to celebrate the life of the person who has passed. At Don Brown Funeral Home, personalization is key. Families can choose to include specific anecdotes, favorite quotes, or important milestones that reflect the person’s character, passions, and relationships.
For example, if the deceased was a passionate gardener, a devoted volunteer, or an avid traveler, those interests and hobbies may be included in the obituary to provide a fuller picture of who they were. Personal stories and unique traits help the obituary become more than just a formal announcement—it becomes a meaningful tribute that friends and family can cherish.
3. Review and Editing
Once the obituary is drafted, it’s essential to ensure that it is accurate and error-free. Don Brown Funeral Home’s team carefully reviews the obituary for correctness, checking details like the spelling of names, dates, and any other important information. The staff also makes sure the obituary is written in a clear and concise manner, while still capturing the essence of the person’s life.
This step helps avoid any mistakes that could cause confusion or distress for grieving family members, and ensures that the obituary is published exactly as intended.
4. Submitting the Obituary
Once the obituary is finalized, the funeral home assists in submitting it to the appropriate outlets. This may include local newspapers, funeral home websites, and online memorial platforms like Legacy.com. In today’s digital age, online obituaries are becoming increasingly popular as they allow families to reach a larger audience and provide easy access to funeral details, memorial donation information, and guest books where others can leave messages of condolence.
Don Brown Funeral Home takes care of this entire process, ensuring that the obituary is published in a timely manner and reaches those who wish to pay their respects.
5. Memorial Contributions and Donations
Many families choose to ask for memorial donations in lieu of flowers. If the deceased had a favorite charity or cause, the obituary may include details on how to make a donation in their honor. Don Brown Funeral Home helps families include this information, making it easy for friends and family to participate in a meaningful tribute.
Whether the family prefers to direct donations to a specific charity, church, or organization, the funeral home ensures that the information is clearly stated and easy to follow.
Why Obituaries Are Important
Obituaries are important for a variety of reasons. They serve not only as a formal announcement of a death but also as a way to preserve the memory of a person’s life and legacy. Here are some key reasons why obituaries are so important:
1. Celebrating Life
An obituary offers families the chance to reflect on the person’s life and share their accomplishments, passions, and values. It’s a way to celebrate who the person was, not just the circumstances of their passing. By sharing stories and personal details, the obituary becomes a tribute to the life they lived.
2. Informing the Community
Obituaries help inform the community about the death and funeral arrangements. They provide important information for family members, friends, and acquaintances who may wish to attend the funeral or memorial service, send flowers, or make a donation in the deceased’s honor.
3. Providing Closure
Writing and publishing an obituary is an important part of the grieving process. For family members, the act of writing the obituary can provide a sense of closure and a way to express their grief, love, and appreciation for the deceased. It can be a cathartic experience that helps individuals begin the healing process.
4. Genealogical Value
Obituaries serve as important historical records. They often include vital information, such as birth and death dates, family connections, and important life milestones. These records can be valuable for future generations interested in genealogy and family history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Don Brown Funeral Home Obituaries
1. How long should an obituary be?
Obituaries generally range from 150 to 300 words. The length can vary depending on the platform or publication. Don Brown Funeral Home will ensure that your obituary is concise, yet still includes all necessary details.
2. Can I include a photograph in the obituary?
Yes, most obituaries include a photograph of the deceased. This personal touch helps friends and family remember the individual and adds to the tribute. Don Brown Funeral Home can assist with formatting the photo for inclusion in the obituary.
3. How much does it cost to publish an obituary?
The cost of publishing an obituary can vary depending on the length, publication, and location. Local newspapers typically charge by the word, and online obituary platforms may have flat fees. Don Brown Funeral Home can help guide you through the costs and options available.
4. Can I pre-write an obituary?
Yes, pre-writing an obituary is part of end-of-life planning that many people choose to do. This can provide peace of mind, knowing that your wishes are clearly laid out for your loved ones. Don Brown Funeral Home offers assistance with pre-planning, including helping with obituary preparation.
5. What should be included in an obituary?
An obituary generally includes the deceased’s name, birth and death dates, surviving family members, funeral details, and any memorial donation information. Don Brown Funeral Home can help ensure that all important information is included in a respectful and thoughtful manner.
6. How do I submit an obituary?
Don Brown Funeral Home will help you submit the obituary to local newspapers, online platforms, and their own website. They take care of the submission process, ensuring the obituary is published in a timely and accurate manner.
Conclusion
An obituary is more than just a notice of death—it’s a lasting tribute to a person’s life and legacy. Don Brown Funeral Home offers compassionate assistance to families in writing, reviewing, and submitting obituaries that honor their loved ones. With the help of their experienced staff, families can create meaningful obituaries that reflect the unique qualities of the deceased and provide the community with the information needed to mourn and pay their respects. Whether you’re seeking to honor the memory of a loved one or need help navigating the obituary process, Don Brown Funeral Home is here to provide the support and guidance you need during this difficult time.
