How to Write Your Own Obituary

Writing your own obituary tends to clarify priorities. 

Tom Vartabedian worked as a local newspaper reporter for 50 years. Over the course of his career, he wrote thousands of obituaries. In May of last year, he wrote one about himself.

Yes, he wrote his own obit.

You might think that this assignment would be a downer, since "obituary" comes from the Latin word meaning "report of death." But you'd be wrong. After finishing a draft, Vartabedian felt a sense of relief. He said to The Wall Street Journal (July 20, 2016), "I had written probably the most important story of my life."

Obituaries mean a lot. Deeper than death notices, they reveal the core of a person's life.

So what should be included? Anything that is important to who you are as a person. Bowling trophies. Polka club. Missionary trips. Work as a voting clerk. "Don't leave anything to chance," said Vartabedian.

This 75-year-old columnist in Haverhill, Massachusetts, recently taught a senior center class on writing your own obituary. Looking back, he always found obits to be a chance...