Obituary Guide – News and Reviews
Interested
in Cemeteries? There’s a Word for That!
November 20, 2022: When it comes to cemeteries, I am an
aficionado, a devotee, an enthusiast. But until I read a recent
newspaper article I didn’t know there was a specific word for people
like me. The main topic in that story in the Washington Post was
pretty interesting as well.
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review
Write
Legacy Letter to Express Values, Lessons Learned in Life
Brandon Sun, September 20, 2022: What recommendations
would you have on how to live a good life? Here is a way to share
your insights. You can write a legacy letter.
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the full review
Plenty of Local History
to be Seen at Cemetery Brandon Sun, August
15, 2022: A great way to connect with your community is
to get to know your local cemetery. And books, online resources,
walking tours and personal visits bring to life the stories of those
buried there.
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Obits Change in
Post-Pandemic World Brandon Sun, May 9,
2022: Much is changing in our post-pandemic world.
Considering pandemics revolve around death, there is no surprise
that one thing undergoing change is the obituary. As in other areas,
the pandemic hurried along trends already in motion. And the
pandemic introduced some new trends as well.
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An Idea for the
Year Changeover: Write Your Life Story
Brandon Sun, December 26, 2020: Well, we hope that next
year will be better than this one! I would like to describe an idea
for the turning of the year. Here is something to wrap up the old
year or to send forward as a resolution for the new year. It is
no-cost and – once you get started – relatively simple and easy:
write your life story.
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review
Death Doulas and Death
Cafés Brandon Sun, April 1,
2019: We know that we should be more open and more
prepared for death. After all, it is inevitable at some point. We,
our families, and society in general benefit from frank discussion
and advance planning. But there is no convenient time; the topic can
easily be put off. Fortunately, two new opportunities to deal with
this fact of life are making more of an appearance: the death doula
and the Death Café.
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Another Story
of Mayhem from the Brandon Cemetery Brandon
Sun, May 14, 2018: Why are we drawn to stories of
mayhem? Even when they are horrific tragedies? For one thing, we are
attracted to newsworthy events. And there is another reason as well.
Let’s take a look at this as we recall another story of mayhem from
the Brandon Cemetery.
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review
Review:
“Having the Last Say” January 27,
2018: Are you interested in writing a 500 to 1,000 word
life review or story? A composition that might sum up your life:
just for yourself? Or that could be shared with family and friends?
Or that could even be made available in planning your own funeral or
memorial service?
If so, there is a book for you by author Alan Gelb: Having
the Last Say: Capturing Your Legacy in One Small Story.
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review
The End of "The End"
January 19, 2018: After almost 500 obituaries, Maclean's
magazine announced the end of their obituary page that featured
everyday folks, "The End."
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The
Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning January 15,
2018: One goal: decluttering to get ready for those
coming after us. Here is where a new book from Sweden can come in
handy for those of us who are sorting, downsizing, moving, and
generally preparing for our ultimate ending.
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full review
From
the Résumé to the Eulogy: Describing Ourselves
September 5, 2017: How do we describe ourselves? Turns out
there are several ways, and looking at the list can help us
understand ourselves better. Plus: New York Times columnist and
author David Brooks has an interesting take on the difference
between what he calls the “résumé virtues” and the “eulogy virtues.”
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the full review
Memories
of War from the Brandon Cemetery Brandon Sun, June
5, 2017: The First World War still casts a dark shadow. We
look at big historical events. And we retell the stories of ordinary
people. We marvel at the interplay of global forces, human
aspirations and sheer luck. Here are some memories of the First
World War from the Brandon Cemetery.
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the full review
The
Changing Conversations About Mortality Brandon
Sun, March 27, 2017: There rarely is a convenient time to
think about one’s death, eh? Yet, more people are taking the time to
do just that. As individuals, as families and as a society, there
are advantages to candid talking and advance planning.
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the full review
Advocating
for Those at the End of Life Obituary Guide,
February 8, 2017: There has been change in the way we look at
the end of life. Increasingly, we recognize the advantages of openly
acknowledging and preparing for death.
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the full review
More
Stories of Mayhem from the Brandon Cemetery Brandon
Sun, June 20, 2016: Stories of mayhem capture our
attention. Some of these stories are dramatic reminders of the
fragility of life. Some are reminders of the injustice that can
float almost unnoticed through history. And some are reminders of
how one person can make a difference.
Here are more stories of mayhem from the Brandon cemetery.
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the full review
Writing
an Obituary Worth Reading: A Review
Obituary Guide, March 2, 2016: If you are at all curious about
writing your own obituary, read this book! With Writing an Obituary Worth
Reading, author Martin Kimeldorf has given us a beautiful,
moving, and vital work.
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“Most
Obituaries are Downright Inspirational” Brandon
Sun, January 11, 2016: Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded to
look for what is good: in one’s life, in the community, in the
world. That reminder could come from an unlikely source: a newspaper
obituary. That is the theme of a new book, Find
the Good: Unexpected Life lessons From a Small-Town Obituary
Writer.
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review
Time to
Speak Up on Physician-Assisted Dying Brandon Sun,
September 14, 2015: Earlier this year, a gentle wave of relief
and gratitude rolled through the people of Canada. The cause of this
wave? The Supreme Court, by unanimously ruling in favour of the
right for a physician-assisted death for people with enduring,
intolerable suffering.
Read the
full review
More Murder,
Mayhem in the Brandon Cemetery Brandon Sun, June
8, 2015: Whether famous or forgotten, fascinating tales of
murder and mayhem are in our past. And – in the Brandon cemetery –
these stories live on . . .
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review
“A New Ideal For How We
Die” Brandon Sun, April 6, 2015: How would
you like to live the last bit of your life before you die? Not a
question we usually think of. But American doctor Atul Gawande has
much to say about this in his bestselling new book, Being
Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.
Read the full review
Death
and
Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder
Obituary Guide, August 5, 2014: The book Thrive:
The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of
Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington notes
that a heightened awareness of death can be a stimulus to live
a better life.
Read
the full review
Murder and
Mayhem in the Brandon Cemetery Brandon Sun, June 2,
2014: Why are we drawn to tales of murder and mayhem? Of
course, these dramatic events are fascinating. And there is
something deeper. These stories remind us of life, of community, and
of the uncertainty we face each new day.
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full review
Writing
Your
Own Obituary Offers Chance for Reflection Brandon Sun,
May 12, 2014: Writing your own obituary might strike you as an odd
notion. But some self-written obits recently in the news draw
attention to this practice.
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the full review
Ways to Leave a Legacy
Brandon Sun, December 30, 2013: At any age, we leave a
legacy by how we live our life. And by how we prepare for our death.
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Reflecting
on Life and Death along the Camino de Santiago Obituary
Guide, November 9, 2013: Walking the Camino de Santiago
invites deep refection on life and death. Like many others, I
discovered this while hiking this ancient pilgrimage route in Spain.
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full review
Get to Know Your
Local Cemetery Brandon Sun, June 10, 2013: If
you would like to get in touch with your community’s heritage, then
get to know your local cemetery. To become acquainted with the
cemetery is to remember and recognize your fellow citizens, their
lives and deaths.
Read the full review
Obituaries and the
Changing Media Obituary Guide, February 25,
2013: Obituaries are part of the changes now
revolutionizing the media, especially newspapers and the Internet.
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review
Obituaries
in
American Culture: A Review Obituary Guide, November 30,
2012: This book has much to say about how Americans
understand their lives by how they record their deaths.
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A Family History
Writing Workshop Obituary Guide, August 14, 2012:
I am fortunate to be attending one of Charley Kempthorne’s
family history writing workshops. We are of an experienced, mature
age; apparently typically, the group is . . .
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Helping
Families Deal with Death "Most Satisfying Work" for Funeral
Celebrant Brandon Sun, September 13, 2011:
To chat with funeral celebrant Lawrence McInnes is to explore
the changing ways we recognize and remember life and death. The
funeral celebrant is a . . .
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“Memoir Man” a
Born Storyteller Brandon Sun, September 19,
2009: Interviewing Fred McGuinness about memoir writing
is like trying to harness a runaway train of one entertaining
anecdote after another. McGuinness is the consummate storyteller.
And he encourages others to tell their stories, too .
Read the full review
Six Words To
Describe A Life? Brandon Sun, July 25,
2009: Can just six words sum up a life? That is the
premise of an Internet challenge that resulted in thousands of
submissions and recently the publication of a book. Not
Quite What I Was Planning is . . .
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Be
Prepared:
Will, Health Care Directive (Living Will), Obituary, and More
Brandon
Sun, December 13, 2008: Among the resources described, a
new book about health care directives, Living
Will, Living Well.
Read the full review
Tours,
Book
Bring Cemetery to Life Brandon Sun, June 14,
2008: Three great resources bring to life the
stories buried in our local cemeteries. Gossip
in the Graveyard, What
Lies Beneath, and Every
Stone a Story all inform, inspire, and invite us
to . . .
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Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Stories
Brandon Sun, September 29, 2007: The life
story of Harold Gray is one of 42 obituaries of everyday people in a
new book by Colorado newspaper reporter Jim Sheeler. Obit:
Inspiring
Stories of Ordinary People Who Led Extraordinary Lives
is
a . . .
Read the full review
Professor Gives His Last Lesson on Life Obituary Guide, September 26, 2007
The Portable Obituary: How the Famous, Rich, and Powerful Really Died Obituary Guide, September 24, 2007
The Way We Mourn Obituary Guide, August 30, 2007
Obituary Guide Now Online News Release, August 30, 2007
More From Obituary Guide:
- Writing Your Own Obituary Offers Chance for Reflection
- How to Write a Legacy Letter (Ethical Will)
- A Family History Writing Workshop
- Helping Families "Most Satisfying Work" for Funeral Celebrant
- Be Prepared: Will, Health Care Directive (Living Will), and More
Books You May Find of Interest:
Not Quite What I Was Planning:
Six-Word Memoirs
Writing an Obituary Worth Reading:
A Guide to Writing a Fulfilling Life Review
Find the Good:
Unexpected Life lessons From a Small-Town
Obituary Writer
Having the Last Say:
Capturing Your Legacy in One Small Story
Obit:
Inspiring Stories of Ordinary People Who Led Extraordinary Lives
For All Time:
A Complete Guide to Writing Your Family History
Thrive:
The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of
Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder
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