Obituaries As A Reflection Of Community Values

Obituaries As A Reflection Of Community Values

Introduction

Obituaries, often published in newspapers or online, are written accounts of the life and death of a person. They can vary greatly in length and content, from simple announcements of a death to detailed biographies that span multiple columns. While obituaries are often seen as a way to honor the deceased and provide information about their life to their loved ones, they also offer a unique window into the values and beliefs of the community in which they are published.

The Role Of Obituaries In Society

Obituaries serve several important functions in society. First, they provide a way to formally announce the death of a person and to inform their friends and family. Obituaries also offer a space for the community to come together and mourn the loss of a member. By sharing memories and stories about the deceased, obituaries help to create a sense of collective grief and loss.

In addition, Obituaries can serve as a way to celebrate the life of the deceased and to honor their accomplishments. By highlighting the positive aspects of a person's life, obituaries can help to provide comfort to their loved ones and to inspire others. Obituaries can also be used to raise awareness of important causes or to promote social change. For example, obituaries for people who died from AIDS in the early years of the epidemic helped to raise awareness of the disease and to fight against the stigma associated with it.

Obituaries As A Reflection Of Community Values

The content of obituaries can vary greatly depending on the community in which they are published. In some communities, obituaries are very formal and focus on the deceased's accomplishments and achievements. In other communities, obituaries are more personal and focus on the deceased's relationships and their impact on the community. The tone of obituaries can also vary, from somber and respectful to light-hearted and humorous.

The content of obituaries can also reflect the values and beliefs of the community in which they are published. For example, in communities that place a high value on education, obituaries may highlight the deceased's educational achievements. In communities that place a high value on family, obituaries may focus on the deceased's relationships with their loved ones.

In addition, obituaries can also reflect the changing values and beliefs of a community over time. For example, in the United States, obituaries have become increasingly diverse in recent years, reflecting the growing diversity of the population. Obituaries are also becoming more personal and less formal, reflecting the changing values of society.

Criticisms Of Obituaries

While obituaries can be a valuable way to honor the deceased and to provide information about their life to their loved ones, they have also been criticized for several reasons. One criticism is that obituaries are often too focused on the positive aspects of a person's life and fail to mention their flaws or shortcomings. This can create an unrealistic and idealized view of the deceased and can make it difficult for their loved ones to grieve.

Another criticism of obituaries is that they can be exclusionary. Obituaries are often only published for people who are considered to be "important" or "newsworthy." This can leave out the stories of people who are less well-known or who do not fit into the traditional definition of "newsworthy."

Finally, obituaries can be expensive to publish. This can make it difficult for families to afford to publish an obituary for their loved one, which can be a source of great grief and loss.

Conclusion

Obituaries are a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that can reflect the values and beliefs of the community in which they are published. While obituaries can be a valuable way to honor the deceased and to provide information about their life to their loved ones, they have also been criticized for their focus on the positive aspects of a person's life, their exclusionary nature, and their expense.