Obituaries - good or bad

[Gamecock]

Seems older people look at obituaries. Presumably to see if they are listed.

Been bad for me last week, by one of my measures. Seems the majority of the people listed were YOUNGER than me.

Of course, it was harder on them than for me.

 

[sar4937]

I hope everyone looks at them, but we probably check in to see who died. I have lost 4 friends in the last 30 days. I'm 62, so it is a little too soon. I like to see something in the obits, but sometimes the survivors don't bother. I have seen many above average individuals reduced to average joe's in the eulogies.

 

[Onomea]

My siblings and I wrote my father and my mother’s obituaries for the local press. I think we had to pay a bit to do it that way, but it was a modest amount. It’s a sure way to be sure it is done right.

What I notice as I get older, with obituaries or just articles on notable deaths, is how the deceased are increasingly younger than I am. That is true, of course, for all of us as we get older.

Jeez. Remember when “When I’m 64” came out? It seemed so very old at the time, 64, but I blew on by that milestone a coupla years back...

 

[federali]

Obituaries

Published obituaries are largely a matter for the family to decide. I found that writing about my father's death as well as that of my beloved dog, helped me cope with their loss. It provides a cathartic relief at a time of often intense emotional pain.

In whatever form it may take, I encourage everyone to write about an emotional loss, whether or not you intend to publish the result.

 

[Golddollar]

What I notice as I get older, with obituaries or just articles on notable deaths, is how the deceased are increasingly younger than I am.

They can provide a good reminder to take care of yourself.

 

[GKC]

My cousin's husband recently killed himself...he was an accountant, and had lost all their money, which he had kept hidden from her. She was understandably devastated, and I was wondering how the obituary would handle it...since in some cases suicides are treated as crimes. Anyway, the obituary just said he had passed away, and didn't list a cause or any other details.

In the case of my mother, the funeral home asked me to help them prepare an obituary. My father and stepmother had already prepared their obituaries before they passed...except for the dates, of course.

 

[rwsmith]

Well, we try....

My wife keeps up with them so that we can offer support and not go for years w/o knowing that someone was dead. "By the way, how's your husband? I haven't seen him in a long time." "Oh, he died about 10 years ago."

What gets me is that so many of the people I grew up watching on TV died years ago and when I look up information on them they died in their fifties. And here I am getting ready to turn 63 next month. Bummer city.

 

[Engineer1911]

I'm trying to understand why a 45 year person is pictured above the text but the deceased passed away at age 79. I'm 70 and that air force photo ~1973 will not be used. I have blond hair and no wrinkles.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Some folks just write an obit that announces that a person has passed.
Others try to write a resume to assist the deceased on the other side.
Just like resumes, they are often puffed and exaggerated.
And some folks do publish their Military photo of long ago.
Presumably because that was the most significant thing they ever did.
I just take a quick look at the obits on my way to the Crossword.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Well, The good thing about getting old. I believe I have out lived all the *******s I once worked for. God Forgive me.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I count every day how many are younger then me.....
My wife said i'm morbid.

 

[italiansport]

At my age the first thing I do upon awakening in the morning is thank God for giving me another day! I look at any days over 65 years as bonus days! At my 50th H S re-union it was pointed out that over half our class had already passed!
Jim

 

[1stgarand]

I check them every week or so to see if I know any one. Every time the phone rings now I'm wondering who died. Not really, but it does come to mind when old friends call.

 

[misswired]

Obituaries- Good or Bad
Good if you're not listed....

If the local paper dropped the obits, arrest reports and classifieds....I'd drop the paper.

 

[Old_Cop]

I've heard it called the Irish sportspage. I check the obits in the city back where I lived and worked on almost a daily basis. More than a few, I remember arresting.

 

[max]

I was trained to be a historian. Over the years, I have come to enjoy and savor the obits. There is so much history in them and I find them so very interesting. I abhor the short obits that don't list where the person was born, went to school, military experience, or worked. Future generations and descendants will search for and learn so much from them.

They are also a way of honoring the person and their life. Everybody did something and their story needs to be told.

 

[joeintexas]

" I have never wished any man dead but have read many obits with great pleasure".

This quote or something similar has been attributed to Clarence Darrow, Will Rogers and Mark Twain. I don't know which one or if any of them said it, but I always got a kick out of it.

 

[NYlakesider]

My father was a undertaker. I grew up in the business but did not take it over. I helped dig out info for obits when I got older, and contacted the paper. With this as a back ground I always read the obits. As others have implied you know its going to be a good day if your not in the paper.

 

[Targets Guy]

I read them to check on folks I know from my hometown. Reading them is a heck of a lot better than having to write one I am here to tell you.

 

[Iggy]

No obits, notices, or funeral for me.. I hope I'm in Heaven 10 minutes before the Devil knows I'm dead.