The Daily Gleaner - Fredericton Area
Importance of an Obituary
When a loved one passes, our world is changed irrevocably. And within a matter of hours we find ourselves faced with a number of unthinkable decisions that need to be made quickly. Who to call first? What type of service? Which funeral home? Burial? Cremation? So many questions, and in our world of constant evolution the options can be overwhelming.
The decision to publish an obituary, however, doesn't have to be. A well-written death notice is multi-purpose: it acts as a bulletin to communicate funeral/visitation times, it details life events and accomplishments of the deceased and can also be a touching and humorous tribute. As such, it is important that the the obituary is handled with the highest standards of care, accuracy, respect and timeliness.
What is an obituary?
An obituary is a formal announcement of death published locally, containing a brief biography about the deceased. As early as the 16th century, brief notices of death were being printed in North America. The British began publishing more lengthy, detailed accounts around the 19th century, predominantly for soldiers, celebrities and political figures.
Back to TopWhy an obituary?
In addition to notifying a community about the passing of an individual, the content serves as a tribute to the life and accomplishments of the person. An obituary can contain anecdotal facts about the deceased that add a personal touch to the notice. More specifically, an obituary can act as a historical document allowing multiple generations to learn about their past.
Back to TopWhat information should an obituary contain?
An obituary should contain clear, concise and accurate information about the life, death and funeral details of the deceased. Notices should contain:
- A photo
- The date and location of the death
- Surviving family members
- Age of the deceased
- Occupations/military history
- Anecdotal accounts
Who writes the obituary?
Basic obituaries are prepared by the funeral home, with the assistance of the family who provides the standard information. The notice is traditionally submitted to the local newspaper within a few hours of meeting with the funeral home.
Back to TopCommunicating an obituary to the public
After receiving the content from the funeral home, the Brunswick News obituary team will format the notice into a standard layout to meet the requirements for our print and electronic editions. A finished notice will be submitted to the funeral home for final approval.
The obituary is then published on the Brunswick News obituary website and in the local newspaper. Our combined readership audience reaches 300,000 people weekly and over 40,000 online users, 25% of whom are located outside New Brunswick. All obituaries can be shared on Facebook.
Back to TopOut-Of-Province Obituaries
Often a family will want to communicate the death of a person who was born or educated in New Brunswick, or spent a significant part of their life there. In these cases, Brunswick News requires the family to provide a copy of the death certificate as well as the name and phone number of the funeral home or accredited death care organization.
Back to TopNew Brunswick Laws
Role of the Funeral Director
Bill 62, known as the Embalmers, Funeral Directors and Funeral Providers Act, governs funeral services in New Brunswick. The provisions of the act ensure quality and diligence on the part of death care service providers. New Brunswick funeral directors are required to prepare death certificates, assist families with the organization of the ceremony and transporting the body after death. Funeral service providers must keep records of each death; the submission of the obituary is useful to them as well for this reason.
Role of the Executor
An executor has been appointed by the deceased to carry out the terms of his/her will. The executor assumes control of the estate and takes care of any unfinished business. Specific duties of the executor include:
- Collecting all assets of the estate
- Preservation and protection of the assets
- Contacting all beneficiaries
- Determining the value for tax purposes
- Payment of all debts
- Distributing all assets accordingly