As Our Parents Age So Do We

Other Posts Relating to Remembrances:   After a Parent’s Death: Writing a Remembrance, Part II,    After an Aging Parent’s Death: Obituaries and Remembrances,  Mother’s Memorial Service

Since my mother-in-law passed away in January, each day has included tasks for us to accomplish, all relating to the ending of a life and the transition to the next generation. My husband has primary responsibility for these activities, and I help as needed. Since her death he has worked on estate and financial items, and together we have sorted through clothes, furniture, and other possessions, deciding what to keep and what to give away. We emptied and closed up Mother’s apartment and arranged her memorial services.

On a more personal side we have spent a considerable amount of time writing remembrances and obituaries. Mother lived a rich life with activities, friends, and keen interests, so we have many stories to share. As we go through family papers, diaries, and photographs, we not only refresh our memories, but we learn new things. When we write we use bits and pieces of Mother’s story, one memory here, another there, depending on where we are sending the information.

We plan to forward obituaries or remembrances to three newspapers, several sorority chapters, a university publication, and several churches. Another remembrance is for the memorial services.

Most newspapers offer the choice of a standard death notice, at a low-cost or sometimes free. A longer news obituary article requires payment, ranging from $30 – $100, at least at the newspapers we have contacted.

Content wise, each piece we write includes basic information, birth, parents’ names, places where Mother lived, her degrees, and surviving family members. Depending on where an article is headed, it may also include an interesting story about Mother’s life there or details about a much-loved activity. We have several interesting stories, appropriate for locations where people knew her well and where people continue to remember her.

There are tricks to writing these compositions.  They cannot have too much content, but they still need lots of detail. Concise writing is key. Below are links that can help a family member get started.

Links to Help a Family Get Started Writing

• How to Write an Obituary
• E-How Guide to Writing an Obituary
• Writing Obituaries – Pitfalls
• Obituary Template