Watts Funeral Home Madill Ok Obituaries (2024)

FAQs

Does someone read the obituary at a funeral? ›

An obituary is written to tell the story of your loved one. These will often be in the funeral program. There will even be a part of the funeral where the obituary will be silently read by everyone in attendance at the funeral. It is something you and your family should be patient with when you are writing it.

Most obituaries are around 200 words long, which means using as few words as possible to avoid going over the word count. It's a good idea to make a plan before you write to ensure you stick to the most important points about the person who died.

An obituary should contain at least basic information about the person's life milestones - birth name, date, and place, parents' names including the mother's maiden name, other names used by the deceased, spouses or partners names, date and place of death, memorial service details, and burial place.

North Dakota newspaper The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead ran what is certainly one of the shortest obituaries ever published. Accompanying a photograph and name of local resident Douglas Legler, the obit, which ran Wednesday, had just two simple words: “Doug died.”

Concluding Message

Phrases like “We will always carry your memory in our hearts,” or perhaps a favorite quote of your loved one are heartfelt and personal.

Survivors are generally listed first, followed by any preceded in death names you would like to include.

When you are listing a relative, make sure to include their first name, their spouse's first name in parenthesis and then their last name. It should look something like this: “JoAnne leaves behind her children Doug (Susan) Smith, Joe (Dianne) Smith, and Sarah (Mark) Perry.”

Obituary Example: No Funeral or Memorial. [Full name] sadly passed away on [date of death] at their home in [place of passing]. They always spread joy and happiness wherever they went. As per [first name]'s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.

There is no specific rule that requires you to publish an obituary right away. In most cases, people aim to publish an obituary 1-2 weeks following the passing of a loved one. However, publishing it months or even a year after a loved one's death is completely okay.

It's important to remember that an obituary is supposed to be an announcement and brief biography of the deceased. Don't feel the need to recount every detail of their life. Also try to avoid bragging about every accomplishment or award the deceased received.

Who usually reads the obituary at a funeral? ›

This reading may be performed by a family member, a close friend, or a designated individual. The purpose of the obituary reading is to share important details about the deceased person's life, allowing everyone present to reflect on their accomplishments, relationships, and contributions.

The eulogy is a deeply personal reflection of someone's life. Family or friends usually give this speech. However, clergy or the funeral celebrant may read it for the family. As this is a very emotional time, some people may not feel comfortable delivering the eulogy to the congregation.

What is a eulogy? A eulogy, also known as a funeral speech, is a loving way for someone close to the deceased to pay their respects during the ceremony. The speech typically reflects on the life and achievements of the person who has died, paying tribute to their personality and memory.

Reading an obituary is not so much an act of mourning a death but of reviewing a life of notable accomplishment and celebrating it. Obituaries are capsule biographies. Still, obituaries concern death.

Posting an obituary is not a legal requirement and is a sentimental action. Families don't have to publish one if they don't want it or do not have the funds to do so. While you do not have to share a death note or obituary, you must file a death certificate with your state's office.