How To Write An Australian Obituary

Follow the steps using them as a guide to add information which will paint a picture of the life you are documenting. Write as much or as little as you feel relative. This obituary is an example only.

Step 1. - Name, age at death, place of death, year of death… e.g. BERTIN, Karen Margaret, aged 75, passed away peacefully, following a long illness, at the Geelong Hospital on Monday, 30th August, 2010.

Step 2. - Birth place and year, parents, education…. e.g. Karen was born in Brisbane, Queensland on 6th January 1935, to loving parents, Peter Anderson and Lucy (nee Hampton). She was educated at the Stafford State School in the early years and continued on to high school at Kedron. Karen went on to study at Kelvin Grove College for a degree in Early Education and became a primary school teacher.

Step 3. - Work, marriage, family… e.g. A dedicated teacher, Karen taught many pupils during her career, and was most proud when her students went on to excel in their chosen fields. In 1957, she married Jack Hogan, plumber, and they had 3 children. Karen lived with her husband at Geelong, Victoria, for all of their married life. She retired from the Department of Education in 1995.

Step 4. – Hobbies, Interests, Sports… e.g. Mrs Bertin was an active participant in the parish of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Newtown. She helped the children with their preparation for the Sacraments of the Church, and also volunteered her time at the local St. Vincent de Paul Society. Karen took great delight in her seven grandchildren, visiting with them often, and helping out by taking them to weekend sporting events, and cheering them on in their respective teams. Another great passion for Karen in her later years was compiling a detailed history on the Anderson family, researching their emigration from the U.K. in the early 1800s and connections up until today.

Step 5. – Relatives… e.g. Karen Bertin is survived her loving husband Jack, her children Peter, Robert and Camille and their families. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

Step 6. – Funeral arrangements… e.g. A service was held for Karen on Thursday 2nd September, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Church, where family and friends gathered to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to be made to the Cancer Research Fund. Following the church service, a lengthy cortege made its way to the Newtown Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to McDonald and Smithson.

A Note on Privacy
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