Losing a loved one is never easy. Honoring the deceased with a wonderful obituary announcement is a way of realizing this. It strengthens family and community ties, like those seen in Oklahoma, and, by extension, serves as a method of sharing with loved ones, friends, and acquaintances. This piece gives the basic details of an Oklahoma obituary announcement.
When writing an obituary, you should include basic details of the deceased, information about family members, a life overview and achievements, and information about the funeral or memorial service. Also, donations or charitable contributions, personal messages or quotes, and photos must be part of the announcement.
Vital Information Included in an Oklahoma Obituary Announcement
It is a personal task that will be honored in one’s life—a final kind of statement noting the death of a loved one and mentioning their lifetime, achievements, and legacy. An obituary is not any death notice. Oklahoma obituary services allow the person to celebrate life and open the doors for family and friends to share memories and emotions. So, here is the critical information that should be included in the obituary.
Basic Details of the Deceased
Basic information about the deceased is usually gathered to be included in the obituary. This includes:
- Full Name: The full name to be used shall include his first, middle, and last names. It is also acceptable to mention any nicknames or aliases he was known by.
- Age: Mention their age at the time of death.
- Date of Birth and Date of Death: Provide both the birth date and the death date to help put the span of their life in context in the Oklahoma obituary record.
- Place of Birth: Many individuals have origins in specific towns or counties in Oklahoma. If proper, add the place of birth.
- Place of Death: Also known as where the individual died, provide the place where the individual died. If the person died in Oklahoma, it’s good to be specific about what town or city.
Information About the Family Members
An obituary generally consists of a list of surviving and predeceased family members. This is a critical element of the notice as it acknowledges the strong bonds and ties that the deceased had with others.
- Spouse: Identify any spouse and state if they survived or were predeceased in Oklahoma obituaries.
- Children: List the children’s names with their spouse if they are married.
- Grandchildren: Sometimes, you would put in the number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even names.
- Parents and Siblings: Sometimes, you would enter the number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even their names.
Life Overview and Achievements
The obituary must be descriptive of the deceased person’s life. Their accomplishments, personality, and passions should become evident from the obituary. Some ideas are:
- Career or Profession: Describe your professional life, notable achievements, companies they worked for, or businesses they owned.
- Education: If education was an important part of life, mention where they went to school or university and what degrees or honors they received should be added to the Oklahoma obituary announcement.
- Military Service: If they served, note the branch, rank, commendations, or deployments.
- Hobbies and Interests: Personalize the obituary. Add any hobbies or interests in sports, arts, gardening, or volunteer work.
- Community Involvement: Most Oklahomans are known for civic duties, religious involvement, or volunteer work.
- Personal Characteristics: Share a little of who they were in character with your readers. Were they funny, adventurous, kind, or dedicated? Share some anecdotes or traits that reflect their spirit.
Funeral or Memorial Service Information
Many Oklahoma obituaries include the details of the service or memorial so that friends, family, and community can come together and pay respects. Be sure to include:
- Date and Time of the Service: Let people know when and where the service will occur.
- Location: Identify the funeral home, church, or location.
- Visitation: Indicate if there will be a visitation. This may include a date and time, as well as a location.
- Burial or Cremation: If the family desires to include information about burial or cremation, you might suggest that they do this when the ceremony is private.
Donations or Charitable Contributions Added in Recent Oklahoma Obituaries
If donations are preferred instead of flowers, the obituary can be shared with the public. You may even recommend a charity or cause close to the deceased’s heart or one the family holds dear.
Personal Message or Quote
It’s now the custom of many families to end the obituary with a personal quote, verse, or message of meaning expressing the person who has left us. This can be something they always say, a scripture, or a meaningful note from the family.
Photos
While not required, most Oklahoma obituaries also include a photo of the deceased, ideally a recent one. If enough space is available, you could include a second photo showing an earlier period in their life if the person was quite a notable figure in the community.
What should you include in an Oklahoma obituary announcement?
An obituary announcement in Oklahoma should include the name of the deceased, date of birth, date of passing, place of residence, age, and other important biographical details, including occupation, education, and family affiliations.
Should you include a photo in an Oklahoma obituary announcement?
Yes. A photo addition to an Oklahoma obituary notice is a lovely, personal tribute for the deceased. A good-quality photograph of the deceased may help people remember the deceased’s appearance and help with closure.
What is the best way to format an Oklahoma obituary announcement?
The best Oklahoma obituary announcement is clear and straightforward, using headings and bullet points to make it easier to read. It includes information about the individual’s name and date of birth, basic biographical information on their life, funeral services, and even notable achievements or contributions to society.
Conclusion
It isn’t easy to write an Oklahoma obituary, and sometimes, the time one is at its most critical is during times of grieving. Regardless, it stands out as a celebration for a final tribute to the life and legacy of your loved one. Basic information about the deceased, family relationships, life summary and accomplishments, and funeral or memorial service information should also be included in an obituary. Lastly, donations or charity, personal messages or quotes, and pictures should not be missed in an obituary.
