The world of obituaries is one that is constantly evolving. Traditional newspaper obituaries remain a staple source of information for local communities and beyond, but the way in which people digest the details about a deceased individual has changed with the times. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most recent trends in the world of obituaries and what they mean for you, as someone who may soon find yourself researching how to write an obituary or perhaps even planning your own funeral.
Electronic Obituaries
If you think back to the early days of the World Wide Web, you may remember the excitement surrounding online obituaries, which promised a whole new way of sharing information about the deceased. Unfortunately, things didn’t exactly work out as planned. To begin with, the capacity of the internet was nowhere near as large as it is today, so huge numbers of people struggled to access online obituaries. There were also concerns around the ethics of publishing online obituaries, particularly when they were created before the individual had passed away. This latter issue led to offline obituary websites being blocked by internet service providers, making them inaccessible even if you were able to navigate to the site. This put an end to the idea of online obituaries for over a decade, until recent technological advancement made them possible once again.
Obituary Blogs
Online obituary blogs like Chattanooga Times free press obituary, have been steadily on the rise since the mid-2000s. While the format of the blog post is nothing new, the fact that many of them include a detailed obituary of the author makes them a legitimate source of information on obituaries. While some people write their own obituary blog as a way of creating an online legacy, most do so to fulfill a request from friends and family. You could write your own obituary blog by creating an account on any blogging platform and simply writing about yourself in the present tense as if you were already deceased. This will ensure that your family has the information they need once the time comes. If you don’t have the time or inclination to write your own obituary blog, you could always ask a family member or friend to do so for you.
Funeral Video Games
While it’s not yet a common occurrence, you probably remember hearing about the video game-themed funeral that took place in Florida in 2018. Well, the trend is set to continue, as more and more people are choosing to mark their final goodbye with a fitting tribute. Imagine the sheer amount of social media posts and comments you’d get from your friends and family if you were to host a themed funeral. Now imagine the sheer number you’d get if you were to host a themed funeral that is played out as a video game. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that your funeral will make the headlines, but there’s no denying that this is a fitting way to celebrate someone’s life. Some venues will even host themed funerals for a small additional cost, meaning that you don’t have to worry about organizing a video game funeral from scratch.
Social Media Obituaries
As we’ve already seen, obituaries have evolved from being published in a printed newspaper to being published online and even as a video games. What next for obituaries? Social media obituaries, of course. If you’re concerned that the details of your death will be forgotten as time goes on, you could consider hosting your obituary on a social networking website like Facebook. This would allow friends and family to continue reading about you long after you’re gone. What’s more, you could even use an online obituary service to ensure that your social media obituary is published on a multitude of websites, including The New York Times, Washington Post, and Toronto Star
Summary
Whether you choose to publish your obituary online or in the newspaper, you’ll want to make sure that the details are correct. It’s important to remember that, while an obituary is a wonderful way of celebrating a life, it’s also a way of giving your loved one closure. If you’re struggling to decide on a final tribute, you could look to your personality for inspiration. What are you known for in your circle of friends and family? What are your hobbies and interests? What do you want to be remembered for? This will allow you to create an obituary that is as unique as the life it celebrates.