Obituary vs. Remembrance — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
An obituary formally announces a person's biographical details, while a remembrance focuses on personal memories and tributes.
Difference Between Obituary and Remembrance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Obituaries typically include key factual information such as the date of birth, and details about the funeral service. In contrast, remembrances might not focus on such specifics and are more flexible in their format, often found in memorial services or family gatherings.
The tone of an obituary is generally formal and concise, aiming to respectfully convey essential information. Whereas remembrances are more heartfelt and informal, allowing friends and family to express emotions and personal anecdotes.
Obituaries serve a public and often legal purpose, providing an official record. Remembrances, however, are primarily for the emotional support of the bereaved, helping them to cope with loss through personal recollections.
While obituaries are usually written by someone who might not have known the deceased personally, like a funeral director or journalist, remembrances are typically penned by close friends or family members, adding a layer of intimacy.
Comparison Chart
Typical Placement
Newspapers, online platforms
Memorial services, personal communications
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Tone
Formal and concise
Informal and heartfelt
Authorship
Funeral directors, journalists
Close friends, family members
Content
Biographical data, survivors, funeral details
Personal stories, emotional tributes
Compare with Definitions
Obituary
A public record of passed person for societal acknowledgment.
His obituary included details of his service in the military.
Remembrance
A personal tribute focusing on memories with the deceased.
Her remembrance of her grandmother was both touching and humorous.
Obituary
A structured format to list survivors and funeral arrangements.
The obituary listed all of his children and grandchildren.
Remembrance
A narrative that focuses on emotional connections rather than biographical facts.
The remembrances included stories from people she helped throughout her life.
Obituary
A written summary of a deceased person's life achievements.
Her obituary highlighted her decades of community service.
Remembrance
A heartfelt expression of the impact someone had on others’ lives.
His remembrance emphasized her generosity and kindness.
Obituary
A biography of a recently deceased person, written by a journalist and published in a newspaper.
Remembrance
An informal gathering or writing to recall a loved one.
The family held a private remembrance on the anniversary of his passing.
Remembrance
The action of remembering something
A flash of remembrance passed between them
Remembrance
The act or process of remembering.
Remembrance
The state of being remembered
Holds him in fond remembrance.
Remembrance
Something serving to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or event; a memorial.
Remembrance
The length of time over which one's memory extends
Events within my remembrance.
Remembrance
Something remembered; a reminiscence.
Remembrance
A souvenir.
Remembrance
Remembrances Greetings
Please give my remembrances to your mother.
Remembrance
The act of remembering; a holding in mind, or bringing to mind; recollection.
Remembrance
The state of being remembered, or held in mind; memory, recollection.
Remembrance
Something remembered; a person or thing kept in memory.
Remembrance
That which serves to keep in or bring to mind; a memento, a memorial, a souvenir, a token; a memorandum or note of something to be remembered.
Remembrance
The power of remembering; the reach of personal knowledge; the period over which one's memory extends.
Remembrance
(obsolete) Something to be remembered; an admonition, counsel, instruction.
Remembrance
To remember; to recall to mind.
Remembrance
The act of remembering; a holding in mind, or bringing to mind; recollection.
Lest fierce remembrance wake my sudden rage.
Lest the remembrance of his grief should fail.
Remembrance
The state of being remembered, or held in mind; memory; recollection.
This, ever grateful, in remembrance bear.
Remembrance
Something remembered; a person or thing kept in memory.
Remembrance
Something to be remembered; counsel; admoni on; instruction.
Remembrance
Power of remembering; reach of personal knowledge; period over which one's memory extends.
Thee I have heard relating what was doneEre my remembrance.
Remembrance
The ability to recall past occurrences
Remembrance
A recognition of meritorious service
Common Curiosities
What is a remembrance?
A remembrance is a personal reflection or tribute focusing on the deceased's impact on others and shared memories.
Where are obituaries typically published?
Obituaries are typically published in newspapers and on online memorial sites.
Can remembrances be part of a funeral service?
Yes, remembrances are often shared during funeral services, memorial gatherings, or through personal communications.
What should be emphasized in a remembrance?
Emphasizing personal impact, shared memories, and the deceased's character traits is key in a remembrance.
What typically features in a remembrance?
Remembrances feature personal stories, emotional tributes, and reflections on the deceased's life.
Who usually writes an obituary?
Obituaries are often written by journalists, funeral directors, or by the deceased's family following a set format.
Who usually writes a remembrance?
Remembrances are usually written by close friends, family members, or colleagues who knew the person well.
What should be avoided in writing an obituary?
Personal opinions, overly casual language, and unverified information should be avoided in obituaries.
What emotional tone does a remembrance carry?
A remembrance typically has an informal and heartfelt tone, focusing on emotional reflections.
Can an obituary include personal stories?
While it can include brief mentions of personal qualities, an obituary is generally more formal and concise than a remembrance.
Are obituaries and remembrances both necessary?
While not necessary, both serve different purposes: obituaries for public announcements and remembrances for personal mourning.
How do family members contribute to obituaries and remembrances?
Family members may provide information for obituaries and write or share remembrances to reflect on the deceased's life.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
