[harv1]

Here's an interesting story about "talking tombstones" and other technology being introduced to keep the memory of the person alive - and to attempt to fill in the dash that's there between "Born - Died"

And, as always, I recommend that anyone who wants to, to write their own obit and keep it in a safe place where family members know it is. Writing an obituary at such a stressful time for survivors can be overwhelming. I know so many people who say, "Oh, I forgot to say..." and wish they had included something that they forgot about. With the prevalence of paid obits today, everyone really does have a chance to say the last word. Also, if you can figure out how much your obit might cost, you can put the money right in the envelope along with the obituary.

http://www.azcentral...ral0809-ON.html

This post has been edited by harv1: 08 August 2007 - 11:11 PM

[citydweller]

Funny. A friend and I brainstormed almost a decade ago over the idea of a headstone that had a flat-panel screen embedded in it. Solar power drove it, and motion-sensors activated it when someone approached. Bullet-proof, UV resistant glass protected it.

But technology wasn't advanced enough to do more than a 30 second video that would cost over $50k and last about 10 years. We moved on to other hair-brained schemes.

Seems like the hair is finally growing on the right side of the skull. Should-a-would-a-could-a

[Beth]

Permission to highjack for a moment?

Been wanting to ask this question but didn't know to whom.

It's sorta along this same thread.

What's w/ the Obits lately? No pics.

Also what happened to alphabetizing the deceased?

Now I know they don't die in alphabetic order, but isn't that how is should appear?

LOL's obit column really lacks.

[harv1]

Hijacks always welcome. I don't get the print version but I can say that when I grew up, the obits were on page 3 of the paper and it was often the first thing that folks went to after reading the front page.

Perhaps people have to pay for pics as well as personalized obits? IIRC, when my parents passed away, we paid extra for their pics to appear. But back then you couldn't personalize your obit. You gave the info and the staff obit writer fluffed it up. I know for a fact that they still have an obit writer (met him once; he may not be still doing it) who writes both the standard obits and the personalized ones IIRC.

[philly54]

Harv, you have inspired me to at least try to write my own obit.! Ok, I tried it! Wrote it, read it, read it again and then after I awoke from my self induced slumber I concluded that I might want to leave this up to a pro or at least my sisters.



Can't believe I wrote poetry at one time, and Harv, I can provide a link to one that was published if you wish, but I warn it was written when I was under the deep and dark cloak of depression and anxiety!



Wow, talk about hi-jackin a topic! I guess what i'm gettin at is, when you start to do a self portrait of your life in your own words, what do you include? What do you exclude? Those dashes in between might be such a huge story within itself that one might base a novel on it. Some people might want to upgrade to more RAM

[harv1]

Writing an obit: Think of your 'benchmark years." I.E. birth, age 10, age 20, age 30 and so on. Thinking of your birth will remind you to be sure to include your parents' names, your place of birth, your siblings.

Age 10 will remind you to remember to mention where you lived during your life.

Age 20 will remind you to put in where you went to high school and/or college.

Age 30 will remind you to put in your spouse's name and the names of your children, their children, and their spouses.

Age 40 will remind you to put in where you worked. What career you pursued.

Age 50 will remind you to write about your accomplishments.

Age 60 will remind you that by that time you got over caring about what other people thought, learning that life's too short, and saying something important about yourself, your interests, your hopes for your descendants future.

Age 70 will remind you that your pets became important in your life because if your descendants are healthy, wealthy, and wise, that most of the time by that age you spend it talking to your dogs

Feel free to 'fill in the blanks' of each benchmark. And don't worry, if it's too long, the obit editor will work on it. Put mention in your obit of where you will be buried so that future generations can "find" you. If you are to be cremated, I highly recommend that if at all possible have your cremains placed in a memorial vault at a cemetery if you can afford it. But, if that is not important to you, then just make mention in the obit something to the effect that they were scattered or given to the family so you don't have descendants fruitlessly scouring internet boards to try to figure where you ended up "planted."

Here is something that I learned years ago that works for just about everything you write.

Begin with humor.

End with wisdom.

Now that we are in this fine electronic age and it doesn't end up with us being nuked out of existence, future generations will enjoy a good read. Because my spouse is a Navy veteran, I'll probably end up planted in a VA cemetery. Which will probably give some of my old compatriots quite a good laugh :-)

This post has been edited by harv1: 09 August 2007 - 01:05 PM