Homework2 Writing my Obituary....HELP!!

[Lady Freedom]

*What are the mainpoints of an obituary whitch appears in the newspaper? Copare the obituaries in a paper over several consecutive days. What are (minimum of five) consistent variables or characteristics? Discern these- explane them. Then write your own obituary.

Write my own obit??? What the heck am I to say??

[Haole Girl]

1. How morbid!

I don't even know what to say...

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. Is it supposed to be a story obit?

That is, the kind you see when someone notable dies?

Or just a no-frills death notice?

[Lady Freedom]

The kind you see everyday...

But I an not that same-old, same-old girl!

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Here're the guidelines for obits I wrote

when I was city editor of a newspaper awhile back:



The deceased: Obituaries should include the full name of the deceased; the date and place of death; date and place of birth; when they came to San Benito County (if a resident at the time of death) or when they lived in San Benito County (if not a resident at the time of death); their occupation(s) and employer(s); college attended and degree(s) earned; military service including branch, rank, years, war service and any military honors received; and memberships in churches and organizations.

Survivors: Include the names of surviving spouse (and how long married), children, brothers and sisters and parents. Include the number of surviving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles. Also include the names of pre-deceasing spouse, siblings, children and parents.

Services: Include date, time and place of visitation; funeral, vigil, Mass or Rosary services; interment and graveside services. If memorial donations are desired to a specific charity or charities, include their name(s) and address(es). Trust fund accounts will be published if the name of the bank and the account number are included.

Photos: Photos of the deceased can be included with obituaries and can be e-mailed as attached files (.jpg preferred). Please do not send photos scanned at less than 72 dots per inch or more than 300.



Hope that helps.

[Lady Freedom]

7. yeah it does, but to write your own...

What the dickens am I to say?? How should I die?? What age?ect.

[Oeditpus Rex]

10. Cause of death doesn't have to be in it

Sometimes obits say "after a long battle with cancer" or something, but that's usually when they're transcribed from the information given by the funeral home (which a lot of papers do, but they shouldn't). If the cause of death was newsworthy, like an auto accident that got a story in the paper, it might be included.

Since you ain't really dead, you can die however and whenever you want.

Personally, I'd much rather write my own obit than leave it up to a funeral director based on the memories of my family.

[femmocrat]

3. I'm surprised they are still giving this type of assignment.

The fundies oppose having kids writing their own obits or elegies or drawing tombstones. We had a big to-do about it in our district about 5-6 years ago. Some fundy parents went to the school board to put an end to these lessons.

[Lady Freedom]

4. It is a University level Sociology class to finish my humanity's unit to...

graduate next fall..I hope!

[Kutjara]

6. You could make it in the distant future.

Fill it with great accomplishments like "After a distinguished career restoring the dignity and power of the United Nations, LF was elected President of the United States with an unprecedented majority. She served two terms with distinction, and will be remembered as the most popular President of the 21st Century."

That way, you can make it funny and interesting at the same time, with perhaps a bit of pointed political commentary thrown in for seasoning.

[Lady Freedom]

8. Why not

He did say "MY OBITUARY"!

[sweetheart]

9. The obit is for you

What have you done with your life? What has been the theme of your incarnation?
What special wisdom has come due to your existance?
What heights have you reached that will move us all?
Now that the life is over, what is the truth?

The newspapers have a 'standard' form for this, but an obit comes from the heart,
as why a life was valuable, even if it was just someone who shared a smile and
some love with us all passing.