When writing a death notice, you will want to include a short summary of the life of the deceased. An obituary typically includes more details of a person’s life and accomplishments. An obituary is not meant to be a complete biographical account; rather, it is meant to highlight significant events, milestones, and achievements of a person’s life.

An obituary will usually contain personal details, and will therefore typically be written by a family member or a friend. Even the most sensational obituary needs to include the essential details of a person’s life and death. An obituary documents a decedent’s life and informs the public about their death.