- 1). Check with the local newspaper to determine their requirements for obituaries. Sometimes a funeral home provides a template or form to use. Find out when the paper needs the obituary in order to publish it on the appropriate day.
- 2). Ask the baby's parents what information they want included in the obituary. Ask if they want a picture of the baby next to the obituary and what family members they want mentioned. Confirm the spelling of all names and familial relationships. Get all the details about the visitation and the funeral service. Ask if they want to direct memorial donations to a particular charity and whether there is a special scripture, thought or poem they want included.
- 3). Begin the obituary by stating the baby's full name and the name of the town where the infant died. Follow this with her birth date and date of death, which for a newborn infant, could be stated as, "departed this life on (date)." If the infant died as a result of illness, the parents might want the phrase, "after a brief illness" added.
- 4). Mention whether any immediate family members died before the infant. Use phrases like, "He was preceded in death by his uncle, James."
- 5). List the infant's living family, beginning with her parents or legal guardians. Mention the rest of the family in the order of closeness of relationship: siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and, if desired, where they live. Some obituaries add the phrase, "and other relatives and friends" after the list of names.
- 6). Include information about all the services, including family visitation, funeral and grave-side services. Include times and locations. Some funeral homes have websites where people can get more information about the services. Include this if appropriate.
- 7). Mention extra information, such as whether the family wishes to name an organization for memorial; in addition to the name of the organization, include contact information. Add an email address or website if the family has designated one for people to send condolences.
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