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Writing Obituaries

Writing Obituaries. A Timeless Art. Is the obituary page the best read page in the newspaper?. What is the value of a well-written obituary?. What is the main requirement of any obituary?. Three types of obituary writing. Standard form News story Obit “feature”. Standard obituary form.

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Writing Obituaries

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  1. Writing Obituaries A Timeless Art

  2. Is the obituary page the best read page in the newspaper?

  3. What is the value ofa well-writtenobituary?

  4. What is the main requirement of any obituary?

  5. Three types of obituary writing • Standard form • News story • Obit “feature”

  6. Standard obituary form • Contains the basic elements of any news lead. • 5 W’s and H. • Second-day lead

  7. More basic elements

  8. More elements

  9. Information to check and double-check • Confirm spellings of names • Check addresses. Compare what’s given to city directory or phonebook • Check birth date, age. Do the math. • Verify with funeral home director any obit faxed or called in to the newspaper. • Check newspaper library for stories.

  10. Language choices • Avoid euphemisms, such as loved ones, passed away or dearly beloved. • Be careful when listing cause and circumstances of death • One dies unexpectedly, not suddenly. • One dies apparently of of a heart attack, not of an apparent heart attack • One dies following an operation, not as a result of an operation. • Injuries are suffered, not received.

  11. More word choices • Learn the proper religious terms • Catholics celebrate Mass • Jews worship in synagogues or temples • Episcopal priests are known as rectors • Use your AP Stylebook • Know your newspaper’s policy and style.

  12. Stylebook tips • Survived by wife, not widow • Stepson, half-brother

  13. Newspaper Policy • Survivors – who gets listed?? • Pets • Fiances • Partners • Live-in companions • Grandchildren (by name) • Brothers, sisters (by name)

  14. Newspaper Policy • In lieu of flowers • Who decides what goes in? • Reprints if mistakes? • Calling families if mistake is made • Charging • Divorced spouses • Addresses for security/safety • Suicide

  15. Creating the obituary • Information comes from funeral home director on standard form. • Information typed in according to newspaper’s policies. • Product is “dry biography.” Practice writing an obituary from a standard funeral home form.

  16. Writing obituaries When a death occurs in conjunction with a news event.

  17. Gathering information • Funeral home form • Newspaper • Other sources • Newspaper library • Interviews with family, friends

  18. From the funeral home • Get pictures • Resolve conflicting information • Ask questions when funeral director calls in or when you confirm that an obit has been received from the funeral home.

  19. From the newspaper • Check funeral notices for names in the news or for interesting tidbits that might make that person’s story interesting to the readers.

  20. From the newspaper library • Check past clips that include the deceased. • Some clips may include information or activities not on the obit form. • Quotes might yield glimpse of person’s personality. • Find names of friends or co-workers.

  21. From family, friends • Don’t be afraid to make the call. Many times family members welcome talking about a loved one. • Don’t ask, “How do you feel?” • Even with someone you know, good reporting can make a story better.

  22. Writing Obituaries Another angle on a feature story

  23. An obit “feature” • In small communities, an obit feature most likely will be written only about public figures. • Who are public figures? • Anyone is worth a well-reported, accurate obit “feature.”

  24. Purpose • A profile • Capture the “essence” of the person: how did he/she live his/her life? • Bringing the deceased to life one last time.

  25. Techniques to use • Feature telling techniques • Details, senses • Anecdotes • Set scenes • Quotes that show a window into the personality. • Ask, “How would he/she like to be remembered?”

  26. If public figure • Include the cause of death – even if it could be considered controversial. • Decide the worth of embarrassing information. How long ago did it happen? What does it add to the story? • Be aware of newspaper policy.

  27. If not, consider your options • Run obit that leaves out embarrassing information and cuase of death. If circumstances merit story, then run story separately from obit. • Include embarrassing details and cause in obit. • Include embarrassing details and cause only for a public figure.

  28. Other options • Put a limit on how far back in a person’s life to include derogatory information (convictions). • Print everything newsworthy about public figures. • Print everything newsworthy about anyone.

  29. Trends • Online obituaries – popular feature. Sometimes just print short record with names and service times. • Why?

  30. Final check • Correct? • Complete? • Check sources? • Style? • Policy?

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