If you are like most people, you never think much about obituaries until someone close to you passes away. But, the history and evolution of obituaries in the United States is fascinating. Here are ten facts about obituaries that you probably didn’t know.
- Obituary Comes From Latin
The word obituary comes from the Latin word “obit”, which can be translated several different ways, including going down, setting (like the sun), fall, ruin, or death. A collection of death records or obituaries is called a necrology. Necrology has Greek roots. “Necro” means death or dead and “ology” means to collect or study.
- The First Death Notice in America Was Printed in the 1500s
Before the practice of obituary writing that we know today evolved, newspapers would sometimes publish brief death notices. These death notices were brief news items that could be used as filler in the paper when other stories were too short to avoid wasting any space. These death notices were most typically one or two sentences that described who dies when and how they died. These death notices began appearing in the British colonies in America in the 1500s.
- Average Cost of Having an Obituary Printed in a Newspaper is $250
The average cost of an obituary today is $250. However, the final cost of any obituary will depend on different factors such as length, number of pictures, and the circulation of the newspaper. The average cost of an obituary in a small town of less than 50,000 people is $113 while the average cost of an obituary in the New York Times is $2,474.
- The Cost of Traditional Newspaper Obituaries Have Increased 1,000%
If $250 seems like a lot to you for a printed obituary, you’re not alone. The average cost of an obituary printed in a newspaper has increased 1,000% in the past 35 years. This is due to a number of factors, including the collapse of the newspaper industry. Obituaries remain one of the few profit centers available to newspapers.
- Newspapers Charge Per Word and Per Picture for Obituaries
Newspapers charge per word when pricing obituaries. The longer the obituary the more expensive it is. They also charge per picture. That is why most obituaries only have one photo. Few newspapers print color photos in obituaries because of cost issues.
- Obituaries Gained Greater Prominence During the Civil War
The obituary as we know it today become prominent during the Civil War. Soldiers would often die far away from their homes. Obituaries became a way to grieve and to notify the community of the death of a local soldier.
- Newspapers Once Had Professional Obituary Writers
It was once common practice for newspapers to have obituary writers. They didn’t just write obituaries for celebrities or prominent members of the community. They would also help families write obituaries for their loved ones.
- Many Publications Have Policies to Prevent Hoax Obituaries
Most newspapers and other media publications have policies meant to prevent the publication of hoax obituaries. Many publications require a death notice from a reputable source, such as a funeral home, before agreeing to publish an obituary.
- Previous Trends in Obituaries Included “Death Journalism” and Poetry
Obituaries have evolved over time. In the 1800s “death journalism” was prominent. This meant that all of the gruesome details of the death were written in lurid detail to help sell papers. In the early part of the 20th century many obituaries were written as poems. They almost always rhymed.
- Within the Next Generation or Less, Print Obituaries Will Disappear
Even though newspaper have been instrumental in the birth and growth of obituaries, the economics of the newspaper industry and the demographics of internet users mean that more people have never subscribed to a print newspaper in their lives. Instead, obituaries will all be published online. Already the online obituary industry, MyObits is challenging newspapers as the go to place to publish an obituary.
