Write your own obituary
March 2009
Have you ever thought of writing your own obituary? It may feel creepy at first, but do it for yourself and your family. It gives you an opportunity to reflect back on your life, to write out a memoir for your family, and to choose exactly what you want said about you. You can keep refining it as time passes and new points are remembered. The most interesting obits tell life stories rather than list facts. Writing it yourself also helps your family and friends cope at a difficult time, and can ensure that the causes you care about are named for memorial gifts.
Here are some components you may wish to include:
· NAME / ANNOUNCEMENT
-
Full name including nickname, if any
-
Age, place, date of death
-
Residence at death (City, do not include street)
· LIFE
-
Date and 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, achievements
-
Employment: jobs, activities, stories, colleagues, satisfactions, promotions, unions, frustrations
-
Places of residence
-
Hobbies, sports, interests, activities, and other enjoyment
-
Charitable, religious, fraternal, political, and other affiliations; positions held
-
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…
-
Parents, Grandparents, Siblings (in order of date of birth)
-
Others, such as nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws
-
Friends
-
Pets (if appropriate)
-
Predeceased by (and date of death):
· SERVICE
-
Day, date, time, place
-
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)
· END
- Memorial funds established
- Memorial donation suggestions, including addresses
-
Quotation or poem
Once you have the essentials that are important to you, your family and friends can add (with your consent) their own special memories. Going through this exercise may bring to mind things that would be meaningful at your service too, and is sure to facilitate family reminiscing.
Susan Hoskins, LCSW
|
Previous Messages
June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities
June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities
May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape
April 2013 - Becoming Visible
March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions
February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton
January 2013 - Men as Caregivers
December 2012 - The Safety Net
November 2012 - Going Solo
October 2012 - Documenting Your History
September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation
July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving
June 2012 - Diversity
May 2012- Aging in America
APRIL 2012 - TEN YEARS
March 2012 - Patient-centered Care
February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour?
January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities
December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies?
November - We need YOU!
October - Chocolate for Memory
September- Looking Back and Looking Forward
July - August 2011; Ageism
June 2011 - Accessibility
May 2011 - Paper retention
Knit Wits, April 2011
Lessons and Legacies, March 2011
Independent Living February 2011
Home Safety January 2011
Witness to my Life December 2010
Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010
Retire in 3D!
Strategic Planning
September 2010
Am I Old?
July 2010
Memory Clutter
June 2010
Aging In America May 2010
Volunteering April 2010
Spirituality March 2010
Estate Planning
February 2010
Encore Careers January 2010
Hiring Home Care
December 2009
Annual Giving by
Sharon Naeole
November 2009
Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009
Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind
September 2009
A Personal Perspective on Caregiving
July/August 2009
TRANSPORTATION
May 2009
Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity
April 2009
Write your own obituary
March 2009
Hobbies
February 2009
Hope and Vision in Challenging Times
January 2009
Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look!
December 2008
Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008
Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning
October 2008
September 2008
Caregiver Dilemmas
Finding Rhythm and Purpose
July/August 2008
Spring Cleaning II June 2008
V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008
Spring Cleaning April 2008
Have You Had the Talk Yet?
March 2008
Get Moving with FitRhythms™!
February 2008
My Condolences January 2008
Advocacy
December 2007
What Are Social Services? November 2007
Sensitive Topics
October 2007
Plan for the Future September 2007
The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007
Volunteering June 2007
Strategic Plan May 2007
National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007
Brain Health March 2007
Resiliency February 2007
Transportation January 2007
Season of Giving December 2006
Medicare Part D November 2006
April Hill McElroy October 2006
Civic Engagement September 2006
Change June 2006
White House Conference on Aging May 2006
Hearing Loss April 2006
GrandPals March 2006
Lets Talk February 2006
Eldertopia January 2006
Hoarding December 2005
Annual Report: November 2005
Are You Prepared? October 2005
Planning Ahead October 2005
Watch Your Language September 2005
Medicare Part D Summer 2005
Sue Tillett June 2005
The End of the Journey May 2005
Clutter March 2005
New Dietary Guidelines February 2005
Transitions January 2005
Funding December 2004
Caregiving November 2004
Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004
A New Look September 2004
Safe Driving Summer 2004
Food Safety June 2004
Communication June 2004
The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004
Seniors On The Move April 2004
Depression March 2004
McGreevey February 2004
Medications January 2004
Random Acts of Kindness December 2003
Civic Engagement November 2003
Reverse Mortgages Oct 2003
Emergency Preparedness, Jan 2003
|
