Well, I wrote my obituary this past week. Ok, you can stop laughing now, but I really did! Afterall, who knows me better than me? I don’t plan to have the family use it any too soon but I’m thinking I’ll spare them the added grief of trying to produce an obituary that pays tribute to my life while they are in the midst of preparing for my funeral.
So by searching Google, I discovered certain topics usually included in one’s obituary. By following the format, I was able to look into my life’s rear view mirror and reflect on what my footprint here on earth was all about. Obviously I’ll spare you from reading mine at this time but whenever you see it posted here, you can count on the fact that my footprints ended.
Now, on to topics to include for when you decide to write your own obituary, and I highly recommend you do so before it’s too late!
First of all, you will want to write down your Date and Location of Birth. And yes, people will finally know how old you really are! So I suggest you tuck away a current photo of yourself along with your obituary for family to use. And update the photo every couple years or so! Most times in our old age we no longer look like we did at the High School Prom, so I chose a current photo of myself for the newspapers. That way I don’t shock people when they show up for my celebration of life services.
Places Lived would be the next topic. Friends and acquaintances from your past who are still living in those former places may want to pay their last respects. Having places lived listed will assist the family in notifying them.
Marriage followed by Education/Military Service Record are next in line. Include all marriages as well as your education credentials. Be proud of your military involvement! These early years of your life may not have been shared and talked about with your children and grandchildren during the busy-ness of raising a family.
Occupations/Titles/Unions listed by you may be a surprise to family as well if not discussed while life’s happenings marched on. Including these might prompt loved ones to notify former co-workers of your demise too.
Professional/Fraternal/Social, Service Organization Memberships are important to include as are Offices Held/Boards Served On. Many family, friends and acquaintances may not be aware of the special ways you gave back to your community.
Honors/Special Recognition (athletic, religious, political, etc) Any special recognition, awards and certifications received should be included. It’s never too late to toot your own horn so do it now while you still have breath in your lungs!
Surviving Family/Predeceased By will most likely change by the time your family needs to submit your obituary to the newspapers. But for now, it’s important to include family members who are still alive as well as those that have already passed on before. Be sure the family has access to this document so that changes can be made easily. Cause of Death obviously will have to be filled in by remaining family members.
And finally, Remembrances to a Charity/Memorial Donations are up to you to decide on ahead of time. Maybe you have a special place in your heart for a particular cause or for funding a scholarship of some kind or for a special need at your church. It is important to think about this and identify your wishes so that the impact of the memorial continues beyond your lifetime.
Now that I have shared this information with you, I can safely tuck away my own obituary until much later in life. At least that’s my hope and prayer!
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