FAQs
Other useful obituary databases include:
- Ancestry.ca.
- Library and Archives of Canada.
- InMemoriam.
- Canadian Obits.
- Family Search.
- Dignity Memorial.
- Remembering.ca.
- The Ancestor Hunt.
What is the history of obituary writing? ›
The practice of writing more detailed obituaries didn't take root in the United States until the 1800s when the practice was imported from British newspapers. Obituaries became a way to honor loved ones and communicate service and funeral arrangements. The early death notices were simply news items.
Is obit short for obituary? ›
Obit is a commonly used informal name for an obituary. Traditionally, obits were published in newspapers either daily or weekly, while today they're just as likely to be published online, often posted by a funeral home or church that's hosting memorial services.
How to find someone who died in Ontario? ›
How to find out if someone died in Canada
- Online obituaries.
- Social media.
- Local churches, places of worship, or news websites.
- General internet searching.
- Try to find their grave.
How do I find a death notice in Canada? ›
Most obituaries appear as a newspaper obituary in a local or national newspaper. However, there are also online obituaries available, such as the MyLife and MyMemorials services at PartingWishes.com.
What is the last sentence of an obituary? ›
Concluding Message
Phrases like “We will always carry your memory in our hearts,” or perhaps a favorite quote of your loved one are heartfelt and personal.
Is it common to read the obituary at a funeral? ›
An obituary is written to tell the story of your loved one. These will often be in the funeral program. There will even be a part of the funeral where the obituary will be silently read by everyone in attendance at the funeral.
How long after death do you write an obituary? ›
There is no specific rule that requires you to publish an obituary right away. In most cases, people aim to publish an obituary 1-2 weeks following the passing of a loved one. However, publishing it months or even a year after a loved one's death is completely okay.
What not to put in an obituary? ›
When writing an obituary, leave out details that could be used for identity theft, such as the deceased's date and place of birth, middle name, maiden name and mother's maiden name. And don't include the deceased's home address.
What is the best opening line for an obituary? ›
Ideas for the Beginning Paragraph
- On (day, date), (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) passed away at the age of ____ years.
- The family of (full name of deceased) of (city of residence) is saddened to announce his/her passing on (day, date) at the age of _____ years.
Obituary Example: No Funeral or Memorial. [Full name] sadly passed away on [date of death] at their home in [place of passing]. They always spread joy and happiness wherever they went. As per [first name]'s request, no funeral or memorial service will be held.
Who typically writes an obituary? ›
While there are no rules when it comes to who writes the obituary, they're typically written by family members or close friends. When a loved one passes, the family usually decides who will write it based on their relationship to the deceased or writing ability.
Where does a nickname go in an obituary? ›
The correct way to write someone's nickname in an obituary is to write his first name, then his nickname in quotes, and then his last name. For instance, Theron “Pud” Barnett or George “Babe” Ruth or Henry “Hank” Aaron. For a woman, it can be a bit trickier if you need to list her a nickname and a maiden name.
Do you put maiden name in obituary? ›
The first of the details when writing an obituary would, of course, be their full name. If she was a married woman, you'll want to include her maiden name and if he or she was commonly known by a nickname, you may want to add that as well.
Are obituaries mandatory in Ontario? ›
Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one. Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.
Can you look up birth records in Canada? ›
Each province and territory has an office of vital records that manages birth, stillbirth, death and marriage documents. You will have to contact the specific province or territory in which you live or were born to obtain your records. For divorce records, you can contact the Department of Justice Canada.
How does Echovita get their information? ›
According to Echovita, the company centralizes and aggregates publicly available obituary information and categorizes it by city on its website, echovita.com, thus allowing millions of visitors to the website, for free, to search for obituaries of loved ones who have died, receive obituaries and memorials, and express ...
How to find out the cause of death in Ontario? ›
A certified copy of death registration with cause of death information can only be obtained by applying by mail or in person. Download and complete the Request for Death Certificate application.