Information
At Highlighting a Life, we understand the importance of capturing a life story with grace and accuracy. This page outlines the key details we need from families to craft a beautiful and memorable obituary.
Key Details for a Meaningful Obituary
To begin writing an obituary that truly honors your loved one, we typically require the following basic information:
- Basic Information:
- Full legal name (including maiden name, if applicable)
- Date of Birth and Date of Death
- Date of Service, location, and Officiator
- Interment location
Our Approach: Telling Their Story with Grace
Highlighting a Life aims for a tone that captures “telling their story with grace,” blending respectful warmth with gentle storytelling. Our approach is:
- Formal yet Compassionate:
- Keeps the structure clear and dignified.
- Uses polished language without being cold.
Family Involvement in the Writing Process
Families are usually quite involved, but the level of involvement shifts depending on their needs and circumstances:
- Initial Input:
- Most families provide the core facts (names, dates, relationships, service details).
- They’ll also often share stories, memories, or favorite traits they’d like highlighted.
- Some come with a rough draft; others only offer bullet points or verbal notes.
- The obituary writer shapes those inputs into a cohesive narrative.
- This is where tone is set—balancing formal details with warm storytelling.
- Families may step back here, trusting the writer’s skill, or remain very hands-on.
- Families nearly always want to see and approve a draft before it’s finalized.
- Typically, 1–2 rounds of review are common (with small edits for names, order of survivors, or wording).
- During grief, families often appreciate a writer catching errors or offering gentle suggestions.
- The family has the last word before submission to a newspaper, funeral program, or online posting.
- Having a clear review process reassures them they’ll be accurately represented and avoids last-minute stress.
Example: Remembering Margaret “Maggie” Johnson
Here’s an example of a life story we helped highlight:
Name: Margaret “Maggie” Johnson
Age: 87
Margaret grew up on a small Indiana farm where she learned resilience, hard work, and generosity. After graduating nursing school, she worked for over 40 years as a pediatric nurse, remembered for her gentle humor and tireless care.
Her faith anchored her life—she taught Sunday school for decades, mentored young women.
