1. Hall School of Journalism and Communication
JRN 2201 Reporting
Dr. Steven Padgett
Hall School of Journalism and Communication
Troy University
Class Notes IV

2. The topic this week is:
Writing obituaries.

3. Is anyone reading obits?
Yes!
The obituary page is one of the best read pages in most newspapers.

4. Rule One:
Before running an obituary, make sure the subject is really dead.
This doesn’t mean you cannot write an obit before the subject is dead.

5. Four types of obits Standard
Contains the basic elements of any news lede
5 W’s and H
News story
When a death occurs in conjunction with a news event
Obit Feature
More likely to find this in small community newspapers
Advanced Obit
Created for top government, community and business leaders

6. Advanced Obits
Many newspapers and broadcast stations create advanced obits for government leader and prominent citizens.
The day President Obama was elected, the networks and news wire services started putting together his obit.
You don’t want to be caught empty-handed when a well known figure dies.

7. Basic elements of an obit
Date and place of death
Date and place of birth
Time and date of services
Time and place of burial
Time and place of visitation
Survivors
Occupation

8. More basic elements Achievements Memberships
Date and place of marriage (optional)
Pallbearers
Preceded in death
Name of parents (optional)
Memorials

9. Information to double-check
Confirm the spelling of names
Check addresses.
Check birth date and age. (Do the math!)
Verify with the funeral home director any obit material faxed or called in to the newspaper.
Check the newspaper library for stories.

10. Language Choices
Avoid euphemisms, such as loved ones, passed away or dearly beloved.
Be careful when listing cause and circumstances of death
One dies unexpectedly, not suddenly.
One dies apparently of of a heart attack, not of an apparent heart attack
One dies following an operation, not as a result of an operation.
Injuries are suffered, not received.

11. Word choices Learn the proper religious terms Catholics celebrate Mass
Jews worship in synagogues or temples
Episcopal priests are known as rectors
Use your AP Stylebook
Know your newspaper’s policy and style.

12. Survived by wife, not widow Stepson, half-brother
Stylebook Tips
Survived by wife, not widow
Stepson, half-brother

13. Newspaper Policy Survivors – who gets listed? Pets Fiancés Partners
Live-in companions
Grandchildren (by name)
Brothers, sisters (by name)

14. Newspaper Policy In lieu of flowers Who decides what goes in?
Reprints if mistakes?
Calling families if mistake is made
Charging
Divorced spouses
Addresses for security/safety
Suicide

15. Gathering Information
Funeral home form
Newspaper
Other sources
Newspaper library
Interviews with family, friends

16. From the funeral home Get pictures Resolve conflicting information
Ask questions when funeral director calls in or when you confirm that an obit has been received from the funeral home.

17. From your newspaper
Check funeral notices for names in the news or for interesting tidbits that might make that person’s story interesting to the readers.
Check past clips that include the deceased.
Some clips may include information or activities not on the obit form.
Quotes might yield glimpse of person’s personality.
Find names of friends or co-workers

18. From the family and friends:
Don’t be afraid to make the call. Many times family members welcome talking about a loved one.
Don’t ask, “How do you feel?”
Even with someone you know, good reporting can make a story better

19. The “Feature” Obit
Anyone is worth a well-reported, accurate obit “feature.”
Some smaller community newspapers are well known for their obits.

20. Purpose of a feature obit
A profile
Capture the “essence” of the person: how did he/she live his/her life?
Bringing the deceased to life one last time.

21. Techniques to use for feature obit
Feature telling techniques
Details, senses
Anecdotes
Set scenes
Quotes that show a window into the personality.
Ask, “How would he/she like to be remembered?”

22. Feature Obits – Pubic Figures
Include the cause of death – even if it could be considered controversial.
Decide the worth of embarrassing information. How long ago did it happen? What does it add to the story?
Be aware of newspaper policy

23. If not a public figure – Feature Obit
Run obit that leaves out embarrassing information and cause of death. If circumstances merit story, then run story separately from obit.
Include embarrassing details and cause in obit.
Include embarrassing details and cause only for a public figure.

24. Other options
Put a limit on how far back in a person’s life to include derogatory information (convictions).
Print everything newsworthy about public figures.
Print everything newsworthy about anyone.

25. Trends
Online obituaries – popular feature. Sometimes just print short record with names and service times.
Why?

26. Final Check:
Correct?
Complete?
Check sources?
Style?
Policy?

27. Are there any questions?
Additional questions?
Are there any questions?

28. There will be more next time!
The End