What is an obituary?

An obituary is a newspaper article about someone who has died. It recounts the person’s life and accomplishments, often with historical context. The obituaries in this curriculum are works of objective journalism: they are news stories, assigned by editors, and written by journalists with no connection to the deceased.

 

An obituary should not be confused with a:

– Death Announcement: a classified ad, usually written and paid for by family members

– Tribute: an appreciation written by a family member, colleague, or friend

– Eulogy: a speech given at a memorial service