Writing Your Child's Obituary
Your funeral director may help you with your child’s obituary, which is a public announcement sharing the news that your child has died. Obituaries are posted in newspapers, on digital platforms, and oftentimes on a funeral home’s website. Obituaries are as unique as the lives they honor. Simply crafting an obituary is an act of love. You may want to enlist the help of a trusted friend or family member to write your child’s tribute. Some parents find comfort in personally recording their child’s story, legacy and special moments, or the life they had hoped to share with them.
The obituary is a celebration of your child’s life. Consider sharing your child’s:
- Full name, date of birth, and date of death
- A list of family members and their places of residence
- Milestones, best moments, and achievements
- Signature character traits or a list of favorite things or activities
- Impact and legacy
- Funeral arrangements and visitation schedule
Some parents choose to keep their child’s cause of death private. Others find that including the information in the obituary helps protect the family from being inundated with too many questions and helps prevent rumors and speculation. Mentioning a charitable designation for gifts made in memory of your child may help offer context, or help support causes important to your child and your family.
Thoughts, Notes & Feelings
What do I want to include in my child's obituary?