Obituaries. A fitting tribute to the dearly departed or just a laundry list of accomplishments and surviving family members? Let's delve into the world of obituaries and what they really mean.
First things first, what's in an obituary? Well, typically you'll find the basics - name, age, date of death, and cause of death if the family is so inclined to share. But then we get to the good stuff - the juicy details of a person's life. Like how they were a beloved member of the community, or how they loved to travel, or how they had a passion for knitting...you get the idea.
But what does remembering people really mean? Is it enough to just list off their achievements and hobbies, or should we strive to capture the essence of who they were as a person? Maybe it's a little bit of both. After all, you don't want to reduce someone's entire life to a paragraph in the local newspaper.
So, how do we create a memorable obituary for someone who lived a big life? Well, first off, we need some humor. People love a good laugh, even in death. So maybe throw in a witty anecdote or two about the deceased's antics. And don't be afraid to get a little snarky - after all, we're celebrating a life here, not mourning a loss.
But let's not forget the tears. People want to feel something when they read an obituary - whether it's laughter or sorrow or a little bit of both. So maybe add in a touching tribute to the person's impact on those around them, or a reflection on the legacy they leave behind.
When I was listening to the podcast "Terrible, thanks for asking" with Nora McInerny and her latest episode 236 called "Your Favorite Obituaries"; I about lost it. Everything about this episode really was how I felt and how I want my obituary to go. We SHOULD all write our own obituary, so let's get going. I too read the obituary section everyday; actually that is the only thing I subscribe to in our local paper. Why not? Why wouldn't I see who died, share in the empathy, and hoping to learn about people in life and who they were while they lived. Because honestly, I think the way they lived is greater then their death. (although, sometimes I wish they'd put how someone died in the obituary, like a requirement. it's not important, no, but I guess I don't want to have to wonder, but if it's a good obit full of life and stories, my questions will be answered).
What I LOVED about this podcast are all the obits she shared, but how she phrased that the people get to LIVE through their own obits. I want to know who these people were when they died too! That is why in my own book I just wrote, I share who MY people were and how they lived!! Also, within this episode there is a man named Jim from North Platte, NE. Listen in at about the 30:50 mark and they say in his obit that he may have chosen the date June 20, 2019 because they believe he chose this point so he wouldn't have to endure another disappointing Nebraska Football season (sorry Jim, you were right it was disappointing - again). OMG...this is the best and this obit was amazing.
In the end, what's in an obituary is up to the person writing it. It's a chance to honor someone's life in a way that feels authentic and true to who they were. So let's raise a glass to those who have passed, and remember them with laughter, love, and maybe a few tears along the way. Cheers to a life well-lived.
I think we all should start. Share with me some obits you have seen along the way or what yours may say or pieces of it. I'd love to share on another blog post. I believe that as we come TOGETHER, we can create something that will be absoliutely amazing.
Listen to the Episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/terrible-thanks-for-asking/id1126119288?i=1000650340601