You might not think of writing your own obituary as part of your estate planning. However, increasingly, people are doing that. Even if you plan to stick around for many more years, writing your obituary can be a good way to look back on your life, realize all that you’ve accomplished (and still want to accomplish) and share with others what has meant the most to you.
If you haven’t already drafted an obituary – maybe for a creative writing class or as a “homework” assignment in therapy – it makes sense to do it while working on your estate plan since you’re already letting yourself think about a time when you’ll no longer be around and the legacy you want to leave. It can also save your family from having to write one while they’re grieving and dealing with other responsibilities.
Writing your own obituary can also help you protect against identity thieves stealing your information after you’re gone, depleting assets from your estate and defrauding surviving family members.
Limit the amount of personal information you include
Too often, obituaries read like a Wikipedia page. They’re filled with personal information about the deceased and their family. Now that obituaries are often posted on sites like Legacy.com where anyone can access them, fraudsters can find a treasure trove of information to use at a time when family members may not yet have closed accounts and can easily fall prey to scams.
You may even request that it not be included on any public websites. No law says someone must have an obituary. You could ask that it be shared in an email or on one of your social media pages and only with selected people.
If it is going to be made public, avoid including the following information about yourself (or, if someone else is writing it, about the deceased):
- Birthplace
- Last and former places of residence
- Full names of any family members
- Former employers
- Alma maters
- Pets’ names
- Group/organization memberships
- Hobbies
Remember that the obituary is meant for people who know and care about you. They already know these things. By writing your own obituary, you can use it to share some final thoughts with family and friends. That’s why you’ll likely update it, whether regularly or occasionally.
While it’s not specifically part of your estate plan, it’s a good idea to keep a copy of those documents and let your family know it’s there. Your obituary and a thoughtfully crafted estate plan can both be final gifts you leave to your loved ones.