The loss of a loved one, valued colleague or long-standing club member is painful. An obituary helps to put the grief into words, to pay tribute to the life and work of the deceased and to honor their memory. This guide will support you with practical tips, examples and wording aids for a personal and appropriate obituary.
Writing an Obituary: A Guide with Examples, Wording, and Templates for a Dignified Farewell
Losing a loved one, a valued colleague, or a long-standing club member is painful. An obituary helps to put grief into words, to honor the life and work of the deceased, and to preserve their memory. This guide supports you with practical tips, examples, and wording assistance for a personal and fitting obituary.
The Importance of an Obituary
An obituary is much more than a mere death announcement. It is a personal tribute to the life, personality, and achievements of a deceased person. The term "necrology" is sometimes used synonymously, although it originally referred to a register of the deceased. Today, an obituary is understood as a commemorative text, usually written by individuals or institutions удовольствия who were close to the deceased – whether in a professional or private context.
The purpose of an obituary is manifold:
- Honoring memory: It pays respect and acknowledges the deceased's life and accomplishments.
- Providing comfort: It can offer comfort to the bereaved, as well as to colleagues, friends, and club members, by expressing appreciation for the deceased.
- Preserving remembrance: It helps to keep the memory of the person and their positive qualities alive.
This guide is intended for anyone wishing to write an obituary, be it for an employee, a club member, a friend, or on behalf of a company.
Obituary vs. Death Notice vs. Eulogy: Understanding the Differences
It is important to distinguish between an obituary, a death notice, and a eulogy, as they serve different purposes:
- Obituary: Focuses on the life, work, and personality of the deceased. It is often written by colleagues, clubs, organizations, or friends and can be published in newspapers, professional journals, or on memorial websites.
- Death Notice: Primarily serves as an official announcement of the death and provides information about the time and place of funeral services. It is usually placed by the family. You can find more on the distinctions in our article "Obituary vs. Death Notice: The Key Differences".
- Eulogy: Is a speech delivered during the funeral or memorial service. It is often very personal and emotional, honoring the life of the deceased as part of the farewell ceremony.
An obituary can certainly contain elements or thoughts that would also be appropriate in a eulogy, or serve as a basis for one.
Who Writes an Obituary?
Obituaries are typically written by individuals or groups who had a special connection to the deceased:
- Employers and colleagues: For a deceased employee, to honor their professional achievements and role within the team.
- Clubs and organizations: For a deceased member, to highlight their commitment and importance to the community.
- Friends and companions: To honor the personal relationship and shared experiences.
- Journalists: For public figures (however, this is not the focus of this guide).
Where is an Obituary Published?
The choice of publication venue depends on the context and the target audience:
- Daily and weekly newspapers: Often in the bereavement section, near the family's death notices.
- Professional journals, company newsletters, club bulletins: To reach a specific professional or community environment.
- Online memorial portals and websites: Often offer more space for detailed texts and images. Digital formats allow for broader and timeless accessibility. You can also find inspiration for design in our "Guidelines for the Design of Obituaries," the principles of which also apply to digital obituaries.
- Social media: Special sensitivity and consultation with the bereaved are essential here.
Preparation: The Foundation for a Successful Obituary
Good preparation is crucial for writing a fitting and dignified obituary.
Gathering Information:
- Important biographical data: Full name, date of birth, and date of death.
- Professional career / Club affiliation: Position, duration of membership, significant milestones.
- Special achievements and merits: Projects, successes, awards, volunteer work.
- Characteristic traits: What defined the person? (e.g., helpfulness, humor, dedication, reliability).
- Hobbies and interests: If appropriate and relevant to the context of the obituary.
- Anecdotes: Short, positive stories that aptly describe the deceased (always choose respectfully and tactfully).
Important: Always consult with the next of kin before publishing an obituary. Obtain their consent and carefully verify all facts (especially names and dates). Respect the family's wishes – this is paramount.
Structure of an Obituary: Elements and Content
A clearly structured obituary is easier to read and ensures that all important aspects are covered.
- Headline:
Choose a clear and respectful headline, e.g.:
- "An Obituary for [First Name Last Name]"
- "In Loving Memory of [First Name Last Name]"
- "We Mourn the Loss of [First Name Last Name]"
- "Remembering our Colleague/Friend/Club Member [First Name Last Name]"
- Introduction:
- State the full name of the deceased, possibly their age or date of death.
- Express the grief and loss from the perspective of the authors (company, department, club).
- Establish the connection to the deceased: "Our long-time colleague and friend...", "It is with deep sorrow that we bid farewell to our founding member..."
- Main Body: The Heart of the Obituary
- Acknowledge their professional career, commitment to the club, or special achievements.
- Describe their personality: positive traits, collegiality, helpfulness, dedication, humor, etc. What made the person special?
- Explain the significance of the deceased to the team, company, or club. What void do they leave behind?
- A short, fitting anecdote can make the obituary more personal, provided it positively highlights their character and is appropriate.
- Conclusion:
- Express gratitude and appreciation for their contributions and the time spent together.
- Affirm that the deceased will be remembered: "We will always cherish his/her memory." or "His/Her contributions will never be forgotten."
- Offer condolences to the bereaved family and friends: "Our deepest sympathy goes out to his/her family and all loved ones."
- Name the authors of the obituary: e.g., "The Management and Staff of Example Corp.", "The Board and Members of the Sample Town Sports Club", "On behalf of all colleagues in the XY Department."
- Optional:
- A fitting sympathy quote or verse can round off the obituary.
- Information about a condolence book or a donation requested by the family.
Examples and Wording for Various Occasions
The following examples and phrasing suggestions are intended as inspiration. Always adapt them to the individual situation and the personality of the deceased.
Obituary for a Colleague / Employee
Example 1 (Short, for a newspaper):
Obituary
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our long-time employee and valued colleague
Mr. John Smith
Born March 15, 1965 – Died May 10, 2025
For over 20 years, Mr. Smith was a cornerstone of our development department. With his expertise, helpfulness, and friendly nature, he made a lasting impact on our company and our team. We lose not only an excellent professional but also a wonderful human being.
We will always honor his memory.
Our deepest sympathy goes to his family.
The Management and Staff of Example Corp.
Wording suggestions for colleagues/employees:
- Introduction:
- "It is with profound sadness and deep regret that we learned of the death of our esteemed colleague, [Name]."
- "We mourn the loss of our long-serving employee and friend, [Name], who passed away on [Date] at the age of [Age]."
- "Stunned and deeply moved, we bid farewell to [Name]."
- Acknowledging work and personality:
- "For over [Number] years, he/she contributed to the success of our company with great dedication and exceptional expertise."
- "We came to know and appreciate him/her as an always helpful, reliable, and loyal colleague/employee."
- "His/Her positive attitude, sense of humor, and ability to motivate others will be greatly missed."
- "He/She was not only an expert in his/her field but also a mentor and friend to many on the team."
- "His/Her contributions to [specific project/area] will not be forgotten."
- Conclusion:
- "We will remember [Name] as an outstanding individual and a dedicated colleague with gratitude."
- "His/Her memory will live on in our hearts and in the history of our company."
- "Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his/her family and friends during this difficult time."
Obituary for a Club Member
Example 2 (For club newsletters or newspapers):
Obituary
The Sample Town Sports Club mourns the loss of its honorary member
Jane Doe
Born July 20, 1950 – Died May 8, 2025
For over 40 years, Jane was the heart and soul of our club. As a long-time coach for children's gymnastics and later as the tireless organizer of our club festivals, she shaped and inspired generations of members. Her warm nature, unwavering optimism, and energetic commitment will be infinitely missed.
In Jane, we lose not only a dedicated member but a true friend. We will cherish her memory.
Our deepest sympathy goes to her family.
On behalf of all members and the board of the Sample Town Sports Club
Wording suggestions for club members:
- Introduction:
- "The [Club Name] mourns the loss of its long-standing and valued member, [Name]."
- "It was with great dismay that we received the news of the death of our friend and fellow club member, [Name]."
- "We bid farewell to [Name], who significantly shaped our club over many years."
- Acknowledging commitment and personality:
- "His/Her tireless dedication to [area, e.g., youth work, event organization] was exemplary."
- "We thank him/her for [Number] years of loyalty and dedicated involvement in the club."
- "He/She was always a reliable contact person and an important pillar of our community."
- "His/Her friendly and open manner will remain a vivid memory for all of us."
- "With his/her passion for [club's purpose], he/she inspired and motivated many of us."
- Conclusion:
- "We will never forget [Name] and his/her contributions to our club."
- "He/She will live on in our hearts as a dedicated member and a good friend."
- "We extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the bereaved."
Tip: For further assistance in writing expressions of sympathy, whether in an obituary or a separate letter of condolence, you will find helpful suggestions in our guides.
Style and Tone: Finding the Right Words
The style of an obituary should always be appropriate:
- Respectful and dignified: Avoid colloquial or flippant expressions. The tone should reflect the seriousness of the occasion.
- Authentic and sincere: Write honestly and avoid exaggeration. The words should come from the heart.
- Positive and appreciative: Focus on the positive qualities, achievements, and contributions of the deceased. An obituary is not a critique.
- Clear and understandable: Formulate concise sentences. Avoid unnecessarily complicated expressions or jargon that is not generally understood.
- Avoid: Negative criticism, unconfirmed rumors, excessive sentimentality, or false intimacy.
Use an active voice where appropriate to make the text more vivid (e.g., "He shaped the department" rather than "The department was shaped by him").
Checklist: Before Publication
Before publishing the obituary, carefully review the following points:
- ✅ Are all names (of the deceased, the authors) spelled correctly?
- ✅ Are all dates (birth, death, duration of affiliation) correct?
- ✅ Has the consent of the next of kin been obtained? Do they agree with the content?
- ✅ Is the tone of the obituary appropriate, respectful, and dignified?
- ✅ Have the most important aspects of life and work (in the relevant context) been considered?
- ✅ Is the text free of spelling, grammar, and typographical errors? (Tip: Have another person proofread the text.)
- ✅ Is the timing of publication coordinated with the bereaved (ideally concurrently with or shortly after the family's death notice)?
This checklist can also help you when creating other texts in the event of bereavement, such as a thank-you note after the funeral.
Digital Obituaries: Remembrance in the Online Age
In addition to traditional publication in print media, digital obituaries are gaining increasing importance. They offer several advantages:
- More space: There are often fewer length restrictions than in newspapers, allowing for more detailed tributes and images.
- Accessibility: Digital obituaries are accessible worldwide and indefinitely.
- Interaction (optional): On some platforms, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances can light virtual candles or leave condolence messages.
On traueranzeigeonline.de, you can not only easily and respectfully create digital death notices but also provide a space for a detailed obituary. This allows for honoring the memory of the deceased in a modern and accessible way.
If you need assistance with the initial steps after a death, our "When Someone Dies: A Checklist for the First 24-48 Hours" can be