When someone passes away, you often write an obituary to honor their life and let others know about the loss. If you want to publish an obituary, there are some simple steps that you can take. Once you have collected the information of the deceased, write an appropriate and respectful obituary. Choose a suitable platform for publishing, follow the guidelines for publishing, and proofread everything. Lastly, the article will be sent for publication, approved and checked for publication, and the published obituaries will be posted in Oklahoma City.
Essential Steps to Publishing Oklahoma Obituaries
Here is a step-by-step guide showing how to publish an obituary:
Step 1: Gather All Necessary Information
Start by compiling the facts you will need. That typically includes:
- Full name (middle and nickname).
- Date of birth and date of death.
- The place where they passed away.
- Spouse, children, grandchildren, and close relatives.
- Profession and significant accomplishments in life.
- Hobby/favorite interests/activities.
- Any community or religious groups to which they belong.
- Where will the funeral or memorial be held?
Having this information in advance will make sure that no mistakes are made.
Step 2: Write a Clear and Respectful Obituary
Write the obituary with the following details. Be simple and honest with your writing. Talk about what the person had most valued in their life. You might include a little narrative or even a phrase to remember. For example:
“She always made her Sunday pancakes for the neighborhood children,” or “He drove 30 minutes each morning to bring coffee to staff at the clinic, just because he wanted to”.
Be honest: talk about their good qualities, kindness, quirks — what made them unique. But also keep it simple. This isn’t a long memoir; it’s a respectful notice of a life lived.
Step 3: Select the Right Publication Platform
Next, decide where the obituary will be published. Oklahoma City offers several options—from the major local newspaper to online obituary sites. For example, The Oklahoman offers an online form for obituary placement. You can submit it directly through their online obituary form.
Also, platforms such as Legacy.com allow nationwide listings and local pay options (for example, placing under “Oklahoma City, Oklahoma” listings).
Decide which platform best reaches the family’s network and aligns with the budget and desired permanence.
Step 4: Review Publication Guidelines
Before submitting, you must check the publication’s rules. For the Oklahoman:
- The obituary desk states that the submitter is solely responsible for content, editing, verification, and accuracy.
- There is a submission deadline: e.g., “deadline to submit an obituary for publication is 5 PM the day before.”
- Online forms often ask for photo uploads, payment information, and a choice of service packages (print, online only, with or without photo).
Ensure your submission meets formatting requirements (file type for photo, max word-count, timing). This will help you to avoid delays.
Step 5: Proofread and Verify All Details
This is a very important step. An obituary becomes a lasting public record, so errors should be avoided. Check:
- Names (spelling of the deceased, family members).
- Dates of birth and death.
- Service times and locations.
- Details of survivors and pre-deceased.
- The spelling of any organization to which donations are directed.
Also consider having someone else read your draft: they may catch a missing word or an unintended typo. Since most publications print exactly as submitted, take extra care to ensure everything is correct.
Step 6: Submit the Obituary
Once you’ve written and checked it:
- Visit the submission portal (for example: The Oklahoman’s “Get Started” or “Place obituary” page).
- Fill in all required fields (including any payment).
- Upload the chosen photograph.
- Indicate service details and preferred publication date.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for your records.
Early submission provides a buffer in case of technical problems or editing complications.
Step 7: Confirm and Approve the Final Version
After submission, the platform may send you a proof or preview of how the obituary will appear — especially if you paid for print. Verify that:
- The photo appears correctly and is not pixelated, cut off, or unclear.
- Text formatting is preserved (line breaks, punctuation).
- Service details are correct.
- Any wording “instead of flowers” is present if applicable.
Approve the version only once you’re confident it accurately represents the person. Late changes may not be possible.
Step 8: Share the Published Obituary
Share the obituary with friends and family when you receive the approved final version. You might:
- Send a link to the published version
- Print out a copy for home or for family members
- Post a note on social media to let people know
Sharing makes the news reach people who care and remember the deceased, and it helps them feel connected through shared remembrance.
Conclusion
Publishing obituaries for a loved one in Oklahoma City is both practical and deeply meaningful. By ensuring you have all the information, writing with consideration, choosing a location to print with consideration, abiding by the guidelines, proofreading your work, submitting the work properly, and distributing the notice yourself, you sincerely honor the person’s life. If you follow these steps, you will honor the person whose memory you are commemorating and respect they deserve, and be comforting to others who read it.