How to Write a Meaningful Obituary: A Guide for Brownsburg Families

Writing an obituary might be one of the hardest things you're ever asked to do — and often, you're asked to do it in the middle of one of the hardest weeks of your life. If you're staring at a blank page right now, wondering how you're supposed to sum up an entire life in a few paragraphs, please know this: there's no single "right" way to do it, and you don't have to get it perfect. You just have to get it honest.

At Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services, we've sat with Brownsburg families at this exact table more times than we can count. We've helped adult children find the words for a father who never talked much about himself. We've helped widows describe fifty years of marriage in a way that still felt like them. So we put together this guide — not as a rigid template, but as a starting point to help you honor your loved one in a way that feels true to who they were.

Start With the Basics, Then Let the Person Show Through

Every obituary needs a foundation of facts: full name (including a maiden name or nickname, if it applies), age, date of passing, and hometown. From there, most families include a brief note on where the person was born, where they grew up, and the major chapters of their life — marriage, children, career, military service, and community involvement.

But the facts are just the skeleton. What makes an obituary meaningful is everything you build around them. Was your dad the guy who knew everyone at the hardware store on Green Street? Did your mom host every holiday for thirty years and refuse to let anyone leave without a plate of leftovers? Those are the details that turn a list of dates into a portrait of a person.

A Simple Structure to Work From

If you're not sure where to begin, here's an order that tends to work well:

1. The opening line. Many families start with something like, "[Name], age [XX], of Brownsburg, Indiana, passed away peacefully on [date]." Others prefer something softer or more personal, like "The Brownsburg community lost a beloved friend and neighbor when [Name] passed away on [date]." There's no wrong choice — pick whichever tone feels most like your family.

2. Life history. Birthplace, parents' names, where they were raised, and important milestones such as graduation, marriage, and career. This is also the place to mention military service, faith community, or civic involvement — things like the Brownsburg Chamber of Commerce, a local church, or a school district where they spent their career.

3. What made them, them. This is the heart of the obituary. Hobbies, passions, quirks, favorite sayings, the way they spent a Saturday morning. Did they coach Little League? Grow tomatoes every summer? Never miss a Colts game? This section is where readers who knew your loved one will nod along, and where those who didn't will get a real sense of who they were.

4. Survivors, and those who preceded them in death. List spouses, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and close family. It's customary to also note parents, spouses, or siblings who passed away before them.

5. Service details. Include the date, time, and location of the visitation, funeral or memorial service, and burial or interment, along with any livestream information if you'd like out-of-town family and friends to join remotely.

6. Memorial contributions. If your family would rather guests make a donation than send flowers, this is the place to name the charity or cause. It's a lovely way to keep your loved one's values alive.

A Few Real-World Examples

Sometimes it helps to see how these pieces fit together. Here's a short, simple version:

Margaret "Peggy" Simmons, 82, of Brownsburg, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Tuesday surrounded by her family. Born and raised in Hendricks County, Peggy spent 35 years teaching second grade at Brownsburg Community School Corporation, where she touched the lives of thousands of students. She loved her garden, her grandchildren, and Sunday dinners that stretched long into the evening. Peggy is survived by her husband of 58 years, three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held Thursday from 4-7 p.m., followed by a funeral service Friday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brownsburg Public Library.

And here's one written in a slightly more narrative, storytelling style:

If you knew Robert "Bob" Whitfield, you knew he never met a stranger. For 40 years, Bob ran his auto shop on Main Street, where he fixed cars, told jokes, and somehow always remembered exactly how you liked your coffee. Bob passed away on Monday at the age of 76, leaving behind a community that loved him and a family that adored him even more...

Notice that neither example is long, flowery, or formal for formality's sake. They're honest, specific, and warm — which is really all an obituary needs to be.

Common Questions Brownsburg Families Ask Us

How long should an obituary be? There's no required length. Many run 200-400 words, though some families prefer a short, simple notice while others write a longer tribute. Local newspapers and online platforms may have their own guidelines, so it's worth checking if you're placing it in a specific publication.

Do we have to include every family member? No. Some families choose to list only immediate family; others include extended family, close friends, and even beloved pets. This is entirely your call.

What if the person had a complicated life or difficult relationships? You're never obligated to include anything that doesn't feel right. An obituary is a tribute, not a biography — you get to choose what to share.

Can we write it together as a family? Absolutely, and we'd actually encourage it. Different family members often remember different stories, and piecing them together can be a meaningful part of the grieving process itself. It's also a lovely way to make sure no cherished memory gets left out.

What if we're just not sure we can write it right now? That's completely understandable, and it's more common than you'd think. Our team is happy to sit down with you, listen to your stories, and help you shape them into an obituary you'll be proud of.

Sharing the Obituary With Your Community

Once you've written it, we're honored to help you share it. Our online memorial pages let family and friends near and far read the obituary, view photos, sign a guestbook, and leave their own memories and condolences — a comforting way for the Brownsburg community to grieve and celebrate a life together, even from a distance. You can view current tributes and see how other local families have honored their loved ones on our obituaries page.

We're Here to Help

Writing an obituary is one small part of saying goodbye, but it carries real weight — it's often the way a community first learns how to remember someone. If you're working through this process right now, or simply want a second set of hands and a caring ear, we're here for you.

Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been serving Brownsburg and Hendricks County families since 1913. We never require up-front payment, we never turn a family away, and we treat every story that comes through our doors like it belongs to our own family — because in this community, it does.

Call us anytime, day or night, at (317) 892-4242, or visit our obituaries page to see how we help families share their loved ones' stories with the community.