Writing Obits

What’s an obit? It’s a news story about a death. It’s also about the LIFE of a person. Usually, the person is of some importance – community, state, nation or world.

Importance of obits Name printed in paper twice – when born and when die Stories saved for decades

Importance of accuracy Must get names right Talk to grieving relatives, friends and co-workers Double check info from funeral home and elsewhere

Timeliness of obit Must write quickly Must get story in day after someone dies

No Saints About people, not gods Humans are flawed OK to point out those flaws Examples

Types of obits News obit Feature obit, i.e. Johnny Carson Commoner

Focus of obit On person and person’s “claim to fame” “Claim to fame” – how most people know the person “Claim to fame” – reason you write the obit

Obit structure Tell readers early in story – lede - who died How the person died Include achievements in body of story Include high and low points End story with list of survivors, burial and funeral arrangements