Obituary (Grade 11 NSC Matric English HL): Revision Notes
Obituary
What is an obituary?
An obituary is an official written notice that announces someone's death. It typically appears in newspapers or online platforms and serves several important purposes. The obituary gives an overview of the person's life, celebrating their achievements and the impact they had on others. It also shares practical information about funeral or memorial services, allowing family, friends, and community members to pay their respects.
The word deceased refers to the person who has passed away. Writing an obituary is a respectful way to honour their memory whilst informing the public about their passing and funeral arrangements.
Key features of an obituary
When writing an obituary, you need to include certain essential elements to make it complete and effective. Understanding these features will help you create a well-structured, meaningful tribute.
Formal and respectful tone
The language used in an obituary must be dignified and sincere. This isn't the place for casual language or humour. You should write with sensitivity, showing respect for the deceased and their family. Use appropriate, measured language that reflects the seriousness of the occasion.
For example, instead of saying someone "died", you might say they passed away or write "it is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of..." These phrases maintain the formal, respectful tone expected in obituaries.
Concise and informative
An obituary should include all the essential details about the deceased person without being overly long. You need to balance providing enough information with keeping the text focused and readable. Include key facts such as the person's full name, age, date of death, and important life details, but avoid unnecessary information that doesn't contribute to honouring their memory.
Personal tribute
This is where you highlight the deceased person's achievements, contributions, and what made them special. A personal tribute goes beyond basic facts to capture the person's character, values, and the positive difference they made in the world. You might mention their career accomplishments, community involvement, personal qualities like kindness or generosity, or the way they touched people's lives.
Funeral details
Practical information about memorial services is crucial. This section tells readers when and where services will be held, so they can attend if they wish. You should provide the date, time, and location of the funeral or memorial service. This allows the community to come together to celebrate the person's life and support the grieving family.
Contact details
Including contact information enables readers to send condolences (messages of sympathy and support) to the family. This might be a postal address, email, or information about a memorial fund. It gives people a way to express their sympathy and show they care during this difficult time.
Structure of an obituary
A well-written obituary follows a clear structure with five main sections. Each part serves a specific purpose and together they create a complete, respectful announcement.
1. Announcement of death
This opening section formally announces that the person has passed away. It should begin with a respectful statement that conveys sadness whilst maintaining dignity. The announcement must include three essential pieces of information:
- Name: The full name of the deceased person
- Age: How old they were when they passed away
- Date of passing: When they died
For example: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Smith on 10 May 2023." This opening sets a respectful, solemn tone for the entire obituary.
2. Brief biography
The biography section summarises the deceased person's life story. This isn't a complete life history, but rather highlights the most important aspects that defined who they were. You should include information about:
- Education: Where they studied and what qualifications they achieved
- Career: Their profession and work accomplishments
- Accomplishments: Significant achievements or awards
- Family: Mentions of spouse, children, and other close family members
- Hobbies and interests: What they enjoyed doing in their free time
- Personal values: What was important to them and how they lived their life
This section helps readers understand who the person was and what they valued. It paints a picture of a complete human being with interests, relationships, and contributions to society.
3. Tribute and personal qualities
This section focuses on the deceased person's character and the impact they had on others. It's the heart of the obituary where you celebrate what made them special. Highlight their:
- Character traits: Were they kind, generous, patient, funny, wise?
- Impact on others: How did they influence people's lives?
- Contributions: What did they give to their community, profession, or family?
Example Tribute:
"John was known for his kindness and generosity. He dedicated his life to education, serving as a respected teacher for over 30 years. He was passionate about helping others and was actively involved in community projects."
This tribute section honours the person's memory by focusing on the positive difference they made in the world.
4. Funeral or memorial details
This practical section provides all the information people need to attend services or pay their respects. You should clearly state:
- Date: When the service will be held
- Time: What time it starts
- Location: The specific venue and address
You should also explain how people can offer condolences, whether through attending the service, sending messages, or making donations to a memorial fund.
For example: "A memorial service will be held on 15 May 2023 at St. John's Church at 11:00 AM. Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life. Messages of condolence can be sent to [family contact details]."
5. Closing message
The obituary ends with a meaningful final statement. This might be:
- A heartfelt closing statement expressing lasting love or remembrance
- A prayer or spiritual message
- A thank-you note to those who supported the family
- A statement about the person's lasting legacy
For example: "His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him." This provides a sense of closure whilst affirming that the person's impact continues beyond their death.
Steps to writing an obituary
Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming during a difficult time. Following these four clear steps will help you create a respectful, complete tribute.
Step 1: Gather information
Before you start writing, collect all the necessary details. This preparation phase is crucial for accuracy. You'll need:
- Information about the deceased person's life story, including education, career, and major life events
- Details about their achievements, awards, and contributions
- Names of family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings)
- Information about hobbies, interests, and personal values
- Confirmed funeral arrangements (date, time, location)
- Contact details for sending condolences
Speak to family members and close friends to gather complete, accurate information. It's important to verify facts like dates and spellings before you begin writing. Errors in an obituary can cause distress and embarrassment.
Step 2: Draft the obituary
Now you're ready to write. Follow the structure outlined above:
- Start with the announcement of death - a respectful statement with name, age, and date
- Write a short biography that highlights the most important moments and aspects of their life
- Include personal tributes that capture their character, achievements, and impact on others
- Add funeral or memorial service details with complete information about when and where
As you write, maintain a formal, respectful tone throughout. Focus on celebrating the person's life and contributions rather than dwelling on the sadness of their passing.
Step 3: Edit and proofread
Careful editing is essential. Review your draft thoroughly to:
- Ensure accuracy and clarity of all information - double-check names, dates, and places
- Maintain a respectful and formal tone consistently throughout
- Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
- Remove any unnecessary information that doesn't contribute to the tribute
- Verify that you've included all essential elements
It's helpful to have someone else read through the obituary as well. They might spot errors you've missed or suggest improvements. Remember that this will be published and read by many people, so it needs to be polished and error-free.
Step 4: Submit for publication
Once you're satisfied with the obituary, send it to the appropriate outlet for publication. This might be:
- A local or national newspaper
- An online memorial platform
- A funeral programme or order of service
- The deceased person's school, university, or workplace newsletter
Different publications may have specific requirements for length, format, or submission deadlines, so check these in advance. Some newspapers charge fees for obituary publication, so be aware of any costs involved.
Example obituary format
Here's a complete example showing how all the elements work together:
"In Loving Memory of John Smith (1950-2023)"
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Smith on 10 May 2023. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, known for his kindness and generosity.
John dedicated his life to education, serving as a respected teacher for over 30 years. He was passionate about helping others and was actively involved in community projects.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and his children, Peter and Susan. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held on 15 May 2023 at St. John's Church at 11:00 AM. Friends and family are invited to celebrate his life.
Messages of condolence can be sent to [family contact details].
Notice how this example:
- Opens with a respectful announcement including name, dates, and initial tribute
- Summarises his career and character
- Mentions surviving family members
- Provides specific funeral details
- Includes information for sending condolences
Checklist for a well-written obituary
Before submitting your obituary, use this checklist to ensure it meets all requirements:
✓ Does the obituary announce the death respectfully? Check that the opening statement is dignified and includes all essential information (name, age, date).
✓ Is the biography concise and informative? Verify that you've included key life details without making it too long or including irrelevant information.
✓ Does it include personal achievements and qualities? Ensure you've highlighted what made the person special and their positive contributions.
✓ Are funeral/memorial details clearly stated? Confirm that date, time, location, and condolence information are complete and accurate.
✓ Is the tone formal, respectful, and sincere? Read through to check that the language is appropriate throughout and shows genuine respect.
✓ Are grammar, punctuation, and spelling correct? Proofread carefully to eliminate all errors. Consider having someone else review it as well.
Exam tips for writing an obituary
When writing an obituary in an exam situation, keep these important points in mind:
Critical Exam Success Tips:
-
Be factual and respectful: Focus on accurate information and maintain a dignified tone throughout. Avoid exaggeration or flowery language that seems insincere.
-
Highlight positive contributions: Emphasise the deceased person's achievements, character, and impact on others. This is a celebration of their life, so focus on what made them special.
-
Follow the structure: Make sure you include all five essential sections (announcement, biography, tribute, funeral details, closing). Examiners will look for completeness.
-
Watch your tone: Keep the language formal and sincere. Avoid casual expressions, slang, or inappropriate humour.
Additional Tips for Exam Success:
-
Check your facts: In exam scenarios with fictional characters, ensure consistency in details like names, dates, and relationships throughout your writing.
-
Proofread: Leave time to check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. These matter in formal writing like obituaries.
-
Be concise: Say what needs to be said clearly and directly. Don't pad your writing with unnecessary details.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
-
An obituary is a formal announcement of death that honours the deceased person's life and informs the public about funeral arrangements.
-
The five essential sections are: announcement of death, brief biography, tribute and personal qualities, funeral details, and closing message.
-
Key features include a formal and respectful tone, concise and informative content, personal tributes, funeral information, and contact details for condolences.
-
Follow the four-step writing process: gather information, draft the obituary, edit and proofread carefully, then submit for publication.
-
Always maintain a dignified, sincere tone that focuses on celebrating the person's life and positive contributions whilst providing practical information for memorial services.