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Obituary Journal Procedures and Rubric

1. Visit the website The Death Clock HYPERLINK "http://www.deathclock.com/"and get an estimate of your future date of death. Remember, be optimistic, but try the normal and pessimistic versions too.

2. View other obituaries online for a general idea of the variations of obits in different regions of the country, and differences between rural and more urban areas. Read at least 5 obituaries from different parts of the country using the 10 sources listed below or find your own newspapers online using the US Newspapers List: HYPERLINK "http://www.usnpl.com/" http://www.usnpl.com/. Write a short summary of your findings, explaining the newspapers you selected obituaries from, describing the ones you read, and also explain what you liked or disliked from your samples.

3. Pre-write: Start preparing your own obit: Answer the “where, when, how and why did you die” questions? Where did you die? What was the date and time of day? Who was with you or were you alone? What were the circumstances? Was your cause of death unusual?

4. Where did you live? How long did you live there? What were your previous residences?

5. What were your educational and military experiences? What was your occupation? Did you have any accomplishments or win any awards? Were you involved in your church or community? Were you a member of any clubs, professional associations, and fraternal organizations? Did you have any hobbies or other interests? Were you a volunteer?

6. Who are your survivors? Who preceded you in death?

7. Will there be a wake or visitation? Where and when? Will there be a memorial service? Where, when, and who will conduct it? Who is in charge of the funeral arrangements and disposition of the body?

8. Will there be any graveside services? What cemetery?

9. Are there any special requests for gifts or donations to charities in lieu of flowers?

10. Where can people send their condolences?

You can have two separate items: 1) the obituary; and 2) the funeral notice, or you can combine the information into one

Your report will include:

Your obituary and funeral notice

Your summary/comparison of online obituaries

Grading Rubric

Grade	Obituary: Summary and personal
5 = excellent	• Precise and perceptive report on summary of obituaries, indicating an excellent understanding of the issues • Able to assess and describe 4-5 or more personal elements with flair and creativity.
4 = good	• Comprehensive and competent review of obituaries, a good general understanding of the topic… • Identifies 3-4 personal elements related to the topic but not particularly original or creative.
3 = marginal	• A general summary report of obituaries, indicating a grasp of several areas associated with the topic • Personal elements reviewed in a loose or vague way; lack of creative thought.
2 = adequate	• Surface approach to gathering and selecting personal elements in the topic area • Summary report of other obituaries lacking in substance or depth
1 = inadequate	• An inappropriate or tangential use of personal information about the topic, perhaps indicating a lack of understanding of the issues surrounding the topic. • Selected irrelevant elements.

SOC 452/552 Death & Dying Sullivan Spring 2008

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