Writing a Death Notice/Obituary

What is a death notice?
A death notice can appear in a newspaper(s) or ONLINE that provide an "In Memoriam" service. The purpose of the death notice is to inform others of the death and provide helpful information and/or act as a family record. Whether the notice has every detail about a person's life or just the essentials, it is important to note there are no rules of how the notice should be written.
The following is an effective guide to composing a death notice:
Decide on the order of information in the notice:

1.    Who
2.    How
3.    Where
4.    When
5.    Family & Friends
6.    Service details: visitation, funeral, interment
7.    Closing information such as charities that people can donate to etc.

Who:
The deceased person's name will appear at the beginning of the notice. Sometimes the full name is used or the name the person went by:
Following the name, sometimes the person's home town, former home town, memberships and/or workplace are mentioned:
Example: resident of Hatboro and formerly of Willow Grove, 
retired employee of Willow Grove Naval Air Station and a member of the Willow Grove Lions Club
Sometimes a picture of the person can be included with the newspaper notice.

How:
The circumstances of the death:
Examples:
•    after a brave battle with cancer
•    entered into rest
•    peacefully
•    suddenly
•    surrounded by family
•    unexpectedly

Where:

Do you want to mention where the death occurred? At home, nursing home or at a hospital.

When:

Do you want the date of death and/or the person's age included.

Family & Friends: The order can be:

1.    Spouse
2.    Children
3.    Grandchildren
4.    Great-grandchildren etc.
5.    Parents
6.    Siblings
7.    Extended family members
8.    Close friends
9.    Predeceased family members

When mentioning surviving family members, you can also include where they live and their spouse's name. 
***Be sure of the correct spelling of all names, sometimes it is best to confirm that information with other family members. And please note: If there are too many family members or friends to be mentioned, the phrase He/She will be missed by his/her many family members and friends is a suitable way to include everyone.

Service details:
Family and friends will be received at the John J. Bryers Funeral Home, Inc., on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, Viewing from 9am to 10am. Funeral Service to follow at 10am.  Interment in Washington Crossing National Cemetery

Closing information:
Charitable foundations that people can donate to "in memory of" can be included. At times people request to write "in lieu of flowers," but generally those who always send flowers will still send flowers and those who always send donations will send donations.