Writing Obits

What’s an obit?

It’s a news story about a death. It’s also about the LIFE of a person. Usually, the person is of some

importance – community, state, nation or world.

Importance of obits

Name printed in paper twice – when born and when die

Stories saved for decades

Importance of accuracy

Must get names right Talk to grieving relatives, friends and

co-workers Double check info from funeral home

and elsewhere

Timeliness of obit

Must write quickly Must get story in day after someone

dies

No Saints

About people, not gods Humans are flawed OK to point out those flaws Examples

Types of obits

News obit Feature obit, i.e. Johnny Carson Commoner

Focus of obit

On person and person’s “claim to fame”

“Claim to fame” – how most people know the person

“Claim to fame” – reason you write the obit

Obit structure

Tell readers early in story – lede - who died

How the person died Include achievements in body of story Include high and low points End story with list of survivors, burial

and funeral arrangements