professional obituary writing service

Lives Lived: A Professional Obituary Writing Service 

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Welcome to Lives Lived: A Professional Obituary Writing Service

A professional writer working with families to create an obituary as unique as the life it honors.

An  award-winning writer working with you to create an obituary with style and sensitivity. Reasonable rates, quick turnaround.

An obituary should  be as rich and interesting as the person it describes. Here are some examples of my work.

“Like so many young men in the 1960s, Jack received an invitation he couldn't refuse from the Army. He joined the Marines instead and was not quite out of his teens when he found himself in a place called Khe Sanh. The young Marine was there for all 77 days of one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War — an experience that colored the remaining 45-plus years of his life.”

How do you want your loved one to be remembered?

An obituary is the final written account of a person’s life. A well-written obituary is a work of art – something to be treasured by families and friends.

​I am committed to helping families and individuals make that last impression with sensitivity, style and accuracy.

​I worked as a journalist for 25 years after graduating from Columbia University. I wrote many obituaries, of famous people and regular folk.

​It’s difficult for a layperson to write an obituary that has elegance, sensitivity and grace – especially during a time of grief and confusion.

​Lives Lived: A Professional Obituary Writing Service allows families to engage with a professional writer t o create a loving tribute that meets their unique needs. I love interviewing families, taking their memories, and turning them into a story that captures the essence of a person’s life. The obituary I write in consultation with the family becomes their property and the family decides how and where they will share it.

About Jane Lerner

Award-winning journalist and communications professional whose work has appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, Reader’s Digest and regional publications including The Journal News.

Experienced obituary writer and contributor to newspaper “Lives” column.

Graduate: Columbia University School of Journalism

Member: Society of Professional Obituary Writers

Contact Jane Lerner

Thanks for submitting!

HIRE AN OBITUARY WRITER

An obituary should not only share what an individual accomplished throughout their life, but who they truly were, what they meant to their loved ones, and what mark they left behind.

*At this time we are only working with funeral homes directly. 

About our obituary writing service.

After our founder, Joshua, lost his grandfather, he and his family faced the burden all grieving loved ones face: having to write an obituary. Now, he relieves that burden for other families by providing poignant writing and attention to detail. He and the rest of our compassionate team can craft your obituary while you are alive, pen an obituary for your loved one who has passed away, or edit an already-written obituary to add clarity and eliminate errors.

Obituary Editing

Writing a loved one's obituary, writing a living obituary .

Perhaps you have already written you or your loved one’s obituary. Or perhaps you plan on writing one on your own but are concerned about the outcome. Let one of our professional obituary editors organize, hone, and polish your writing, ensuring it flows and lacks spelling or grammatical errors.

If you have recently lost a loved one, we understand that you are being inundated with seemingly endless tasks amid your mourning. Let us alleviate one pressure by writing the obituary.

One of our empathetic writers will take their time to review the answers to the questionnaire you filled out. Then, they will reach out to you before writing the obituary. Once you and your family review the draft, we will implement your suggested changes and finalize the obituary.

Someday, in the fresh aftermath of your passing, your loved ones will be overwhelmed with responsibilities regarding final arrangements. Take one stressor off their shoulders by having your obituary written in advance. While doing so, you also ensure your life will be remembered in the way you wish.

One of our writers will review the answers to the questionnaire you fill out before calling you to discuss your goals. Once we write the obituary and you review the draft, we will implement your suggested changes before finalizing the obituary.

HOW IT WORKS

You fill out a

questionnaire.

You and your family review the obituary and request changes.

One of our writers

Our writer finalizes

the obituary.

Our writer writes the desired obituary.

You receive the

print-ready obituary.

-Includes up to 600 words edited

-Includes 1 hour of phone consultation 

Obituary Writing

-Includes up to 600 words written

-Includes  1 hour of phone consultation

Extraordinary

-Often reaching 1,200 words

-Includes 2 hours of phone consultation

Writing A Loved One's Obituary

For already written obituaries in need of editing, we will complete the editing within 24 hours of receiving the existing writing.

For obituaries needing to be written upon a death, we will write the draft within 48 hours of receiving the questionnaire.

For obituaries desired in advance of death (living obituaries), we will complete the writing within 5 business days of receiving the questionnaire.

*Same-day delivery is often available for an additional fee.

TESTIMONIALS

SHELLY R. DAUGHTER

“Thank you seems so simple to say to someone who just wrote your father’s obituary. It was a tremendous blessing.”

FLORA H. LIVING OBITUARY SUBJECT

“It makes me happy to know what [my obituary] will say… It was so stressful when we had to do [my husband’s] obituary, as we were grieving.”

STACY B. DAUGHTER

“You had so much patience with our family dynamics. And you were so calm with all of us… Thank you thank you!!! We can’t thank you enough!!!”

Thanks for submitting!

Finding the Words: How to Hire a Professional Obituary Writer

By: Team Earth

Sep 26, 2024 | Memorial Services

Writing an obituary can be an incredibly daunting task—especially when you’ve just lost someone you love.

How do you go about capturing a life in words? Should it be a straightforward timeline or a memory-filled reflection on what made them special? How do you balance mentioning all aspects of their life, from past relationships to memorable quirks, while also honoring their legacy? And do you have the capacity, at a time of great stress and grief, to write their story?

Collaborating with family and friends can offer valuable insights and reveal cherished stories, adding depth to the tribute. This can be a comforting, bittersweet process. But still, you might feel too overwhelmed to put pen to paper to construct the story of their life. Professional obituary writers specialize in doing just that.

If you find yourself struggling with this task, hiring an obituary writer can provide significant relief. This guide will help you navigate the process of finding, hiring, and working with a professional to create a meaningful obituary for your loved one.

What is an obituary?

Traditionally, an obituary serves as notification of a person’s death. It includes the date and sometimes the cause of death, an outline of their life, and information on services where the public can pay their respects. Obituaries are often published in local newspapers, but can also appear on funeral home websites, in leaflets distributed at services, or on social media. Earth Funeral publishes obituaries submitted by families on our website.

The most basic obituary will cover things like schooling, work, important relationships, children, hobbies, and retirement. A longer, more detailed obituary can dig past the basics to illustrate someone’s personality and their nuanced journey through life. It might include stories that demonstrate what made them unique, the challenges that shaped them, and the impact they had on those around them.

Obituaries vary in tone as well. They can be straightforward and formal, or light-hearted—even humorous. It all depends on what you’re looking for and what feels appropriate for the person being memorialized.

An obituary can be 50 words or 5,000. Ultimately, there is no wrong way to write an obituary, as long as it’s an honest attempt to honor a life. It’s helpful to have a sense of your desired length and tone before you hire an obituary writer. But if you aren’t sure, a professional can help you navigate these choices.

What does a professional obituary writer do?

A professional obituary writer is skilled at gathering information from one or multiple sources and weaving those details into a thoughtful and cohesive life story. They are typically working journalists and/or experienced wordsmiths.

No matter where you are in the process, an obituary writer can provide support and guidance during this challenging time. They understand the emotional weight that comes with writing an obituary and are skilled in helping families navigate through feelings of grief and overwhelm with care and sensitivity.

Each obituary writer may have a slightly different approach to gathering information and drafting the obituary. They might begin by sending you a questionnaire or scheduling a phone call to learn more. Once they have the details, they’ll prepare a first draft for your review, giving you the chance to request edits or adjustments to ensure it reflects your wishes.

Most obituary writers do not handle placement. When the obituary is complete, you will typically need to handle its submission to local newspapers, arrange for printing and distribution, and/or post it online. Keep in mind that you will generally need pay to print and publish the obituary, in addition to the obituary writer's services.

How to find a professional obituary writer

You can start by searching for obituary writers online to check their websites and past work to determine if they’re a good fit. When reviewing websites, look for testimonials from people they’ve written for in the past.

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Review their process and ensure it aligns with your schedule. For example, if you prefer communicating by email rather than scheduling phone calls, seek out writers who offer that option. If samples of their work aren’t available on their website, don’t hesitate to request some. Reviewing past obituaries they’ve written will help you assess their style and capability.

What does an obituary writer need from you?

Certain information is standard in most obituaries: Date of birth, place of birth, date of death, cause of death, the names of immediate family members and other important people, and the timing of significant milestones throughout their life.

An obituary writer will need the correct spelling of anyone who is mentioned. This is often easier to send by email, rather than spelling things out over the phone.

Gather as much relevant information as possible before contacting an obituary writer, but remember, it’s entirely up to you what to include and what to omit. If a writer asks you for information that doesn’t seem relevant, you don’t have to share. Communicate your timeline and the desired length of the obituary, especially if you need to adhere to specific word limits for publication in local newspapers.

As for payment, some writers require a partial or full payment up front, while others will ask for payment when the work is complete. Find a professional whose requirements align with your preferences.

What to consider before hiring an obituary writer

• Will the obituary serve as an announcement of services? If so, you’ll need to have it published at least several days before the services take place.
• Where will you publish it? There are a variety of ways to publish an obituary, from social media to national newspapers. Widely circulated newspapers will cost the most.
• Does the publisher have certain requirements? Most newspapers have word-count limits on obituaries. If it’s being published by more niche publications, like an alumni magazine or a business journal, they might want it to conform to a style guide. These publications might have their own writers on staff who can help you with this.
• Who will contribute to the obituary? It can be helpful to gather information and thoughts from several close family members and friends, but too many contributors can also complicate the process. Make sure one person is in charge of working with the writer and giving final approval on what’s written.
• Who will be included in a “survived by” or “predeceased by” list? Most obituaries include these lists in one of the final paragraphs. It’s an opportunity to mention people who were connected to the person who passed. Traditionally, these lists include family members but you could also include close friends if you wish. When listing family, you’ll need to decide how far to branch out on the family tree, and whether or not to include maiden names and where people are from. In a big family, these lists can be very long. An obituary writer can guide you on what to include.
• Will you be accepting flowers or donations? It is a tradition to send flowers to a funeral home before services are held, but many families prefer to have people donate to an organization or charity, in lieu of flowers. Your writer can include this information for you.
• Don’t worry if you don’t have all the information. An experienced writer knows how to work with the information you have—even if some dates or details are missing.
• What story do you want to tell? This is an opportunity to reflect on your loved one and memorialize their life. An obituary can be both a factual record and a reflection on your loved one's life. Consider how they made others feel and how they would like to be remembered. A professional obituary writer can help capture both the tangible and intangible aspects of their life.

Crafting an obituary is a meaningful way to honor and remember a loved one. By considering the key aspects of publication, contribution, and the story you wish to tell, you can ensure that the final tribute is both accurate and heartfelt. A professional obituary writer can help navigate the complexities of this process, offering expertise and support to create a lasting reflection of your loved one's life and legacy.

Whether you’re announcing services, sharing details about the family, or guiding readers on how to pay their respects, taking the time to thoughtfully plan and convey your message will provide comfort and clarity during a difficult time.

At Earth, we offer a space where you can post beautiful online obituaries to memorialize loved ones who have chosen human composting. This service helps honor their memory in a way that reflects their commitment to returning to nature and nurturing new life. With careful consideration and the right support, your loved one's story can be shared in a way that both honors their memory and connects with those who remember them.

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Learn how to find and hire a professional obituary writer to create a heartfelt, lasting tribute for your loved one. Our guide walks you through the process of crafting meaningful obituaries, balancing personal stories with key details, and honoring their legacy with care.

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How to write the perfect obituary, according to professional writers

I’m the writer in my family, which means that I am offered a great deal of unpaid work from my loved ones. If someone’s kid is applying for colleges, chances are high I’ll get an email asking if I have time to edit (i.e., completely rewrite) their personal essay. I’m also frequently paged to help with wedding toasts, job applications and dating profiles. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of saying no , and usually politely decline most of these solicitations for free editorial assistance, unless someone is asking for help with an obituary or eulogy. When it comes to composing or honing one’s words of remembrance, I’m almost always ready to lend a pen.

Why am I so eager to donate my time to this rather morbid type of writing? On one hand, it’s because, having written eulogies for loved ones, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to think clearly when grieving , and I imagine that, if you’re not used to writing every day, the task of crafting an obit can be mighty daunting; but my interest in eulogistic composition also stems from my fascination with the fact that in the end, we all become stories. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, sure, but also: words to words. Writing doesn’t get much more meaningful than that, and there’s nothing quite so moving as an obituary that truly captures and honors the spirit of the deceased.

Earlier this week, thousands of readers were blown away by an obit that did just that and then some. The obituary of 82-year-old Connecticuter Joe Heller , penned by his daughter Monique Heller, was praised as the “best obituary ever” by The New York Times , which also profiled Heller’s “wacky” funeral, a casual affair that saw his coffin carried off in a vintage Mack fire truck.

Monique Heller was unsparing in her remembrance of her father as a penny-pinching prankster, a hoarder with a soft spot for dogs (whom he gave hilariously vulgar names) and a “consummate napper” who spurned suits and snobbery. It’s possibly the funniest obituary ever to make the rounds online, and yet it is also incredibly loving and informative. The reader is given interesting facts about Heller’s life — like that he was a self-taught chemist, a volunteer firefighter and a Navy veteran. The reader is also provided essential details about Heller’s memorial service, where to send donations, and who survives him — but even these particulars are delivered in a sportive spirit of fun-poking and wit.

What makes a great obit?

I never met Joe Heller, but boy, I wish I had. I also hope that if I’m ever responsible for writing the obit of someone very close to me that I can do half as good a job, because this obit, as Hannah Sentenac , a freelance writer who specializes in obituaries says, is “legendary.”

“I was incredibly impressed that it was written by a family member and not a professional writer, although it makes sense given the incredible level of detail and personal insight,” says Sentenac. “I think the fact that this went viral speaks to the fact that people don't want ‘traditional’ obituaries; they want humor, flair, wit, personality.”

Katharine Blossom Lowrie , owner/writer at The Précis, a provider of obituary and eulogy services, was also impressed by Heller’s obituary, and shared it on her site for prospective clients to read.

“I intend to urge future clients to read [Heller’s obit] before filling out their forms so they can see the possibilities, the humor, the beauty of telling the truth about someone,” Lowrie says.

Susan Shain , a freelance writer who provides obituary writing services is in agreement with writers Lowrie and Sentenac (along with pretty much everyone who reads it), that Joe Heller’s obituary is wonderful, adding that it accomplishes what all obits should by being “unafraid to let the person’s personality shine.”

The anatomy of a good obituary

How can we compose similarly fantastic obituaries for our own dearly departed friends and family, or even for ourselves ahead of our final days?

We’ve compiled a list of tips that the pros recommend.

1. Jot down the key facts first

Even the most sensational obituaries should include key details about the person’s life and death. First, you’ll want to include the person’s name, birth place, age, date of death, location and cause of death (optional). From there, Shain says you should go on to include other biographical staples such as “whether they got married, had kids, [details of] their careers and retirement.” You’ll also want to share the names and relationships of who survives the deceased, and finally, include the details of the memorial service, where to send flowers or donations and any other must-know information for mourners. The recitation of these details can feel a bit cold and clinical, but it’s important to have the basics down. Free online obituary templates can help serve as a checklist here.

2. Write in the present tense, in letter form and change it later

Emma Goss , an eyewitness news reporter for Bakersfield Now and former producer at NBC News, has written obituaries for celebrities, beloved community members and, strange as it sounds, for famous people who aren’t yet deceased. Goss’s most practical tip is to “write in the present tense and change it to the past tense later.” This approach can help you “feel like you’re really connecting to who you’re writing about,” Goss says, adding that you can also benefit from a first draft in letter form. “Deliver it like you’re writing it to their husband or wife or best friend. Tell them something [positive] that they may not have known.”

3. Reach out to friends and family for memorable stories

Part of what makes Heller obituary so lovely is that it gives you all the staple information of a traditional obit, but functions more as a eulogy, with tons of anecdotes and character. To write an obit like this, narrow in on your clearest memories.

“What are the first words that come to mind when you think of the person [who has passed]?” asks Shain. “What are some stories that demonstrate those qualities? It's a good idea to talk to other family members because you will jog each other's memories. See what other people remember — that’s a really good place to start.

Sentenac stresses not to be shy when it comes to recalling “funny stories, mishaps or eccentricities. Sometimes those kinds of things best represent a person's life.”

4. Ask yourself these questions about your loved one

Sentenac shares some questions she asks her clients when crafting an obit for their loved ones:

• How would you describe your loved one’s personality? What did people say most often about him/her?
• What are some of your favorite memories of your loved one?
• What were your loved one’s proudest accomplishments?
• What were your loved one’s hobbies/favorite things?
• What was the thing you loved most about your loved one?
• Any foibles/quirks or other personality traits that made your loved one extra special?

Also fodder for thought: “How would they want to be remembered? And how will they be genuinely remembered by those who loved them? It's a dance between the two,” says Sentenac.

5. Don’t feel like this has to be funny

Joe Heller’s obit has numerous LOL moments, which works for his obituary because he was an infamous jokester, but humor may not be suitable for the obit you’re writing.

“If someone is more serious, more traditional, I don’t use humor at all,” says Shain.

Additionally, one’s death may just be too tragic for a jocular obituary. Goss recounts writing the obit of a 10-year-old boy who died after a heart transplant went awry. There’s just no way to make that obit hilarious, nor should there be. It’s okay for the obit to be short and to the point with just a few lines about the remarkable impressions the departed one has left on the world.

“Use your own judgment about what's appropriate,” says Sentenac. “If you knew the person well, chances are you'll be able to assess the tone and style that would suit them.”

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Remember Your Loved Ones.

Call (305) 810-9404 for Memorable Obituaries

Professional obituary writing services for people and pets.

I'm an obituary writer for hire and trained journalist who specializes in writing creative, memorable, professional obituaries . I was recently featured in NBC News, and the tributes I write are designed to capture the essence of an individual and tell their story in a truly unforgettable way.

When you read one of my obituaries, you'll feel like you knew the subject personally -- even if you never had a chance to meet them. You'll learn fascinating details about their life, the things they loved, their closest relationships and everything that made them a unique and irreplaceable individual.

Commissioning an obituary is a lovely and timeless way to commemorate a person (or pet) that has passed on. I try to make the process as easy as possible so you have one less thing to worry about when a loved one passes.

Leave a message today or keep reading to learn more about our Professional Obituary Writing Services.

Contact me at [email protected] or through the form below if you're looking for an obituary writer for hire.

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Capturing Memories with Professional Obituary Writing Services 

If you or someone close to you has lost a loved one, it's an utterly heartbreaking experience. It's hard to know how best to pay tribute to the person who passed on. How do you do justice to their memory? If writing doesn't come naturally to you, it can be extremely difficult to put your feelings into words, especially during this stressful time. Contact MemorialWriter.com today for Professional Obituary Writing Services or to learn more on how to get started.

Remembering the One You Love with an Obituary or Portrait

Each professionally written obituary is a one-of-a-kind, touching and unforgettable tribute.

Here's how the process works: as the obituary writer, I learn all about the individual who was lost and craft a compelling memorial that will help you forever remember what made them so special.

Call (305) 810-9404 for MemorialWriter.com

Professionally written obituaries.

Professional Obituary Writing Services are ideal for submitting to local papers, reading at funeral services or life celebrations, gifting to someone who's lost a loved one, gaining control over your own end-of-life experience, framing with a photo, or just treasuring as a personal keepsake.

As a member of the Society of Professional Obituary Writers , I'm an expert at penning eloquent and one-of-a-kind obituaries.

It would be my honor to get to know your loved one and memorialize their life through the written word. Visit my Questions and Answers page for pricing information and all the details on commissioning professional obituary writing services.