Writing a Memorable Obituary

Gutterman’s & Gutterman Warheit

Where Relationships Matter

Writing a Memorable Obituary

Gutterman’s & Gutterman Warheit

Where Relationships Matter

A Guide from Gutterman’s & Gutterman Warheit

Jewish Funeral Homes in New York and Florida

In the immediate aftermath of the passing of a loved one, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the decisions and tasks facing you. One of the most challenging can be preparing a memorable obituary, one that succinctly captures the essence of your loved one and helps you share with others all that they meant in your lives. With the powerful emotions that accompany a loved one’s passing, you can find it difficult to know where to start.

At Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit, with chapels in New York and Florida, we have provided comprehensive funeral services to the Jewish community for more than a century and a quarter. For us, it’s not just our business—it’s a calling. We have been family owned and operated since our firm was founded in 1892, and many of our employees have been with us for decades, or even spent their entire professional lives as part of our team.

Tips for Writing a Meaningful Obituary

While we are always happy to provide guidance when you are preparing an obituary, we offer the following suggestions to help properly eulogize your loved one:

Announce the passing of your loved one: Your obituary should always start by clearly stating that your loved one has died. This should include full name, age and date of death.
Provide meaningful, but concise, biographical information—Tell readers where and when the deceased was born, and talk about education, marriage, work history and notable accomplishments.
Tell the reader what your loved one was like—Don’t just focus on what he or she did, but help them understand and remember their character. Did they love football or fiction, Springsteen or Stravinsky? What was their passion and what was their defining character trait?
List all surviving family members—As a general rule, immediate family members are specifically named, but others are simply enumerated.
Provide information about the funeral or memorial service—Let people know when and where the memorial service will be.