Information to Collect

Use for Obituary, Death Certificates, Funeral Service and Tributes

Name / Announcements

  • Name
  • Full name of the deceased, including nickname, if any
  • Age at death
  • Residence (for example, the name of the city) at death
  • Date of death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death

Life

  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Names of parents.
  • Childhood: siblings, stories, schools, friends
  • Marriage(s): date of, place, name of spouse
  • Education: school, college, university and other
  • Designations, awards, and other recognition
  • Employment: jobs, activities, stories, colleagues, satisfactions, promotions, union activities, frustrations
  • Places of residence
  • Hobbies, sports, interests, activities, and other enjoyment
  • Charitable, religious, fraternal, political, and other affiliations; positions held
  • Achievements
  • Disappointment
  • Unusual attributes, humor, other stories

Family Survived By (And Place of Residence)

  • Spouse
  • Children (in order of date of birth, and their spouses)
  • Grandchildren
  • Great-grandchildren
  • Great-great-grandchildren
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Siblings (in order of date of birth)
  • Others; such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
  • Friends
  • Pets (if appropriate)

Preceded By (And Date of Death)

  • Spouse
  • Children (in order of date of birth)
  • Grandchildren
  • Siblings (in order of date of birth)
  • Others; such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
  • Pets (if appropriate)

Service

  • Day, date, time, place
  • Name of officiant, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, other information
  • Visitation information if applicable: day, date, time, place
  • Reception information if applicable: day, date, time, place
  • Other memorial, vigil, or graveside services if applicable: day, date, time, place
  • Place of interment
  • Name of funeral home in charge of arrangements
  • Where to call for more information (even if no service planned)

Finale

  • Memorial funds established
  • Memorial donation suggestions, including addresses
  • Thank you to people, groups, or institutions
  • Quotation or poem
  • Three words that sum up the life