An obituary is a notice of the death of a person, usually published in a newspaper and usually including a short biography.

Because of the short time between the notification of a death and the next publication deadline, most newspapers have one or more clerks who specialize in typing such things as obituaries. Sometimes, this task is given to a cub reporter (often to allow an editor to evaluate writing and copyreading skills), although today many obituary clerks also have other duties (such as typing news releases and social news).

Many newspaper affiliates (such as the Associated Press) have pre-written obituaries for famous people who are still alive; these obituaries are updated when the well-known person dies.

The content of obituaries varies, but (at least in American newspapers) usually follow a similar format:

• The person's name, age, where he/she lived and death date and place. Sometimes, the circumstances surrounding the death are publicized as well.
• Information about visitation (time, date and place when they can view the corpse and visit with family members); the funeral, usually at a funeral home and/or church; and often, the burial site. Sometimes, the names of pallbearers are also listed.
• The decedant's birth date (along with a maiden name if the decedent was a female who married), his/her birth town and his/her parents (often along with the mother's maiden name included).
  Marriage information (name of spouse, date and location of marriage).
• Where the decedant was employed (and if he/she is now retired).
• Memberships, from social and religious to vocational.
• Hobbies, notable accomplishments and other interests, as appropriate.
• A listing of survivors, including spouse, children (and sometimes, their spouses), grandchildren, siblings and other close relatives and friends.
• A listing of close relatives who preceded the decedant in death. Unless the decedant is young or is survived by his/her mother or father, his/her parents are not listed (especially when the decedent is very old, as it is assumed the parents are also deceased).

While in the U.S. obituaries are almost always reverent and respectful, in Britain it is far more permissible for the writer to attack or mock the subject.

Source: Internet Research.