Obituaries

Eugene O'Dell
B: 1933-11-06
D: 2024-03-26
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O'Dell, Eugene
Michael Bush
B: 1969-07-22
D: 2024-03-25
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Bush, Michael
Maryann Thompson
B: 1965-01-02
D: 2024-03-20
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Thompson, Maryann
Regina Colgan
B: 1969-02-13
D: 2024-03-19
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Colgan, Regina
Terry Babcock
B: 1968-01-13
D: 2024-03-18
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Babcock, Terry
Tyler Simpson
B: 1996-01-20
D: 2024-03-16
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Simpson, Tyler
Charles Morgan
B: 1953-01-24
D: 2024-03-15
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Morgan, Charles
Irene Little
B: 1951-12-15
D: 2024-03-13
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Little, Irene
Leo McHale
B: 1934-06-10
D: 2024-03-09
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McHale, Leo
Joyce Palmer
B: 1938-10-26
D: 2024-03-09
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Palmer, Joyce
Craig Carmody
B: 1954-03-15
D: 2024-03-08
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Carmody, Craig
Karen Rosser
B: 1940-07-25
D: 2024-03-08
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Rosser, Karen
Brenda Woodruff
B: 1961-01-31
D: 2024-03-08
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Woodruff, Brenda
Charles Monego
B: 1927-11-23
D: 2024-03-01
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Monego, Charles
Richard Maher
B: 1961-10-03
D: 2024-03-01
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Maher, Richard
Nancy Soules
B: 1939-02-02
D: 2024-02-26
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Soules, Nancy
Frank Elleo
B: 1943-05-21
D: 2024-02-22
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Elleo, Frank
Loretta Delatorre
B: 1954-03-11
D: 2024-02-22
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Delatorre, Loretta
Rose O'Brien
B: 1926-05-17
D: 2024-02-21
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O'Brien, Rose
Gwen Nicolella
B: 1960-07-23
D: 2024-02-20
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Nicolella, Gwen
Russell Covert
B: 1938-04-04
D: 2024-02-20
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Covert, Russell

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Writing Down a Life: Crafting the Obituary

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Writing Down a Life: Crafting the Obituary

An obituary also serves as notification that an individual has passed away and details of the services that are to take place. But it can be for more than that. A well-crafted obituary can detail the life of the deceased, with style.

An obituary's length may be somewhat dictated by the space available (and the related costs) in the newspaper it is to appear in. Therefore it's best to check how much room you have before you begin your composition. Remember that the obituary needs to appear in print a few days prior to the memorial service. There are some cases where this may not be possible, therefore give some consideration to the guidelines below when composing the obituary.


What Should You Include?

Naturally, it is vital that the full name, along with the location and date of passing is included so that there is no confusion over who has died.

You may wish to consider placing a photograph (which can appear as black & white or in color depending on the newspaper's layout) with the text. There are usually extra charges applied if you are thinking of using a photograph.

If you wish, mention where the deceased resided. Do not include the street address, for security reasons; just mention the city and region/state/province/county.
In a concise manner, write about the significant events in the life of the deceased. This may include the schools he or she attended and any degrees attained; you may also include any vocations or interests that the deceased was involved with.

Add the Names of Those Left Behind…as Well as Those Who Went Ahead

It is common to include a list of those who have survived the deceased, in addition to those who passed away prior to the death of your loved one. The list should include (where applicable):

  • Parents
  • Spouse and children
  • Adopted children
  • Half & step children
  • Siblings
  • Half- & step-siblings
  • Grandparents

The relatives listed above may be listed by name. Other relatives will not be mentioned by name but may be included in terms of their relationship to the deceased. In other words, the obituary may mention that the deceased had 5 grandchildren, or 7 great-grandchildren.  

Also, anyone listed as a special friend or companion is not normally included amongst the list of survivors unless the deceased's blood relatives request that it be so. The obituary's traditional purpose is to list survivors either related through the bloodline or marriage.

Additional information such as where the body will be laid to rest and any pallbearer's names or names of honorary pallbearers may be mentioned.

At this point list the details of the time and location of any services for the deceased: these may include the funeral, burial, wake and memorial service where appropriate.


Tips for Crafting a Complete Obituary

If you don't know where to start, do read other obituaries to gain an idea of how personal and touching an obituary may be.

Do use such terms as "visitation will be from" or "friends may call from". Do not say the deceased will "lie in state" as that only applies to a head of state such as the prime minister or president.

Don't use the phrase "in lieu of flowers" when memorial donations are to be requested, as this limits how readers can express their sympathy. Perhaps they want to send flowers to the family – and unless you are adamant that flowers are not wanted, the phrase is decidedly “off-putting”.  Instead merely start the final paragraph of the obituary with the words "Memorial donations may be made to" and then state the charity’s name.

If you wish, send the obituary to newspapers in other cities or towns where the deceased may have resided previously.

Obtain copies of the obituary to send to distant relatives and friends.
 

Final Considerations

Any and all information to be included in the obituary should be verified with another family member. A newspaper will have to verify with the funeral home being utilized that the deceased is in fact being taken care of by that funeral home.

Seeing as most newspapers charge by the word when placing an obituary, it may not always be feasible to mention everything that we have stated in our guidelines. Use your own discretion and do not put yourself under any financial hardship. Your loved one would understand.

Today there are online memorials, such as the Book of Memories™, where the obituary can be available for the cyber-community of the deceased to view. It is also a place where friends and family can leave messages of condolence, light a memorial candle, or share photographs and videos. If this sounds like a good option for your family, contact us to learn more.
 

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If you have immediate need of our services, we're available for you 24 hours a day.

Obituaries & Tributes

It is not always possible to pay respects in person, so we hope that this small token will help.

Pre-Arrangement

Dying is one of the few events in life that's certain to occur, yet one we rarely plan for. Should we spend more time preparing for a two week vacation than we do our last days on Earth?

Order Flowers

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(973) 827-7050 F. John Ramsey Funeral Home
1 Main St.
Franklin, NJ 07416
Email: ramseyfh@centurylink.net
973-875-4941 Ferguson Funeral Home, Inc.
P.O. Box 366, 27 Third St
Sussex, NJ 07461
Email: ramseyfh@centurylink.net
973-827-6600 Ferguson-Vernon Funeral Home, Inc.
P.O. Box 329, 241 Rt. 94
Vernon, NJ 07462
Email: ramseyfh@centurylink.net
(973) 827-7050 F. John Ramsey Funeral Home
1 Main St.
Franklin, NJ 07416
Email: ramseyfh@centurylink.net
(973) 827-7050 F. John Ramsey Funeral Home
1 Main St.
Franklin, NJ 07416
Email: ramseyfh@centurylink.net
Proudly Serving the Communities of Franklin, Hamburg, Ogdensburg, Sparta, Hardyston Twp, Hardyston, Stockholm, Vernon Twp, McAfee, Highland Lakes, Glenwood, Sussex, Wantage Twp., Frankford Twp., New Jersey as well as the New York Communities of Unionville, Westtown, and Warwick

52 Weeks of Support

It's hard to know what to say when someone experiences loss. Our free weekly newsletter provides insights, quotes and messages on how to help during the first year.