Surely you have turned to the obituary page of the local paper and scanned for names you recognize. Many newpapers print paid obituaries, which are written by the familes or submitted by the funeral homes. But some staff writers capture the essence of a life lived, as they create obituaries as art, as history, as work, as literature, as obsession.
Although author Marilyn Johnson got her start writing celebrity obits, she now divides her reading affections between the clever and candid London obits of notable folks and the more gentle US obituaries that poignantly tell the story of the local “Everyday Joe”. For her book The dead beat: lost souls, lucky stiffs, and the perverse pleasures of obituaries, Johnson spoke with obituary writers she admired, celebrating the style, work ethic, personality and professionalism of the best obituarists in journalism, discovering how they learned their craft and revealing the rich history of obituaries. She quotes from a variety of obituaries, choosing carefully to illustrate her points, but also leaving the reader clamoring for more.
I, for one, didn’t realize that 1986 marked the rebirth of the modern obituary, when London papers began to change style and form, making “memorable mischief” and creating an audience of obituary-reading fans. Be sure to check out the amazing obits in The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, and The Times. For the more egalitarian obits of the American newspapers, the The Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Denver Post, Miami Herald, Baltimore Sun, and the San Jose Mercury News all feature staff-written obituaries accessible on their website.
Do great obituaries celebrate the unique things the world has lost with each death? Or do they bring to light the very real human characteristics that help us recognize ourselves in other people? Johnson gives credit where it is due, ending her acknowledgements with appreciation for the people whose deaths inspired the obituaries, explaining: “They and their survivors have our humble gratitude for all they’ve taught us in life and death.”
Are you ready to embrace the perverse pleasure of obituaries? Check out the newspapers recommended above or read collections of well-written obituaries in The last word : the New York times book of obituaries and farewells or 52 McGs. : the best obituaries from legendary New York Times writer Robert McG. Thomas Jr. Also try fiction about obituary writers, or read the posts on the alt.obituaries newsgroup.
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