Obituaries: the single most-widely read or viewed section of the news. These are the stories most packed with facts, details, anecdotes, reminiscences, triumph, tragedy, and comedy. Obituaries are short, incisive biographies -- the only one most of us will ever have. Obituaries are histories of a person, a family, and a time in history. Your obit is your published legacy. What will your obit say?
Who will write it? All major newspapers and broadcasters prepare “advance” obituaries for public figures or celebrities. The newspapers dispatch expert writers to interview the person and to write the story for the files. You are doing a service to your family along with yourself. At a future time when the obituary is needed for publication, some families can find the writing process very difficult. You can act now to tell your own story and relieve this burden. This is not about death – it is the unique story of your time on the planet, your travels of body and mind, explorations and achievements, failures and re-starts. Everyone gets an obituary. Who will Own Your Story?
