how to write a biography of someone dead

• Funerals & Memorial Services

How to Write a Biography for a Funeral Program + Examples

Updated 05/11/2022

Published 03/10/2021

Belinda McLeod, BA in Secondary Education

Contributing writer

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After a person dies, someone in the family usually writes a biography or obituary about the person. This task sometimes falls to a friend or the funeral director may also help with the writing process. 

You may then submit the biography or obituary to the newspaper through the funeral home. Most newspapers charge families a per-word rate to print the article. You may also write the obituary for the funeral program on the funeral home’s website.

Check out our tips for writing a biography for a funeral. We will also give you short biography examples to help you with your task of telling your loved one’s life story. 

Jump ahead to these sections:

Steps for writing a biography for a funeral, funeral biography samples.

Think of a biography (or obituary) as a news article informing the general public about a death that occurred. Even though you may feel emotional when writing an obituary, this is not typically the outlet for writing about your feelings. 

Even though the biography is an informative article, it is up to you to include the details. You can include pretty much whatever you want, but it’s a good idea to get the family’s general consensus regarding what you will write about in the biography.

The number and types of details may vary, depending on the person and where the biography or obituary will be used. A biography (or obituary) read at a funeral may include more details than one printed in the newspaper or funeral program . 

Step 1: Start with the general facts

You want to identify the deceased first. Use the full name (with the maiden name in parentheses) and the age of the person. If the deceased had an often-used nickname, consider putting it in quotes. 

The more identification factors you use makes it less likely that your loved one gets mistaken for someone else. This is especially important if your loved one had a common name. 

Step 2: Consider including the essential dates in the obituary

Some families choose to include the birth date and death date of the deceased in the obituary. You can present this information in a variety of ways. 

Others avoid giving this detailed information in hopes of limiting the likelihood of fraudulent activity. You may provide partial information, such as “She was born to Bob and Mary Smith in October 1982.”

Step 3: Consider including the cause of death

The family must decide whether or not to include the cause of death. Most people who read the biography will wonder, “What happened?” This question may seem nosy to you, but it is only human nature to be curious about such matters. 

Some families choose to leave this information out of the biography, which is their prerogative. Others may view it as a piece of information that may be helpful to future generations. Some may give partial information, such as “Mary Frankie Jones, 65, passed away after a long illness.”

Step 4: Include information about the early life of the deceased

Most people choose to include the names of the parents of the deceased as well as the city of birth. Again, only include specific information if you feel comfortable; some unscrupulous individuals use this biographical information for nefarious purposes.

You may consider including where the deceased graduated high school and/or college. Include any brief military service during this section of the biography as well.

Step 5: Include other family information

Often, you list a deceased person’s marriages in the article chronologically and list children at the end of the article as “survivors to the deceased.”

For some, it’s easy to write about the deceased’s spouse but makes a difficult task for others. Again, there are no “rules” on who to include, so you and your family must make those determinations.

People agonize over whether to include estranged family members. You may also wonder whether to label stepchildren differently than biological children. Ex-spouses and long-term partners that never marry may pause you as you write the obituary. 

Each situation is different, so most etiquette guides recommend that people do their best to keep their relationships with their living family members intact by not limiting the list of survivors in the obituary. 

Step 6: Write about your loved one’s professional life

A funeral biography is not the same as a resume, but most people give at least some general information about how the deceased earned a living. 

If the deceased worked his entire adult life at one place of business, you would include this detail in the obituary. If he job-hopped but stayed in the same industry, you may include a sentence about his profession.

You may make this section of the biography longer for those with active careers. 

Step 7: Consider including information about community involvement

Many families choose to include their loved one’s involvement in community groups. For example, you may choose to include the deceased’s involvement in a specific church, civic organization, or volunteer group. You may also want to include any offices that the deceased held in any of these organizations as well as any awards earned. 

Step 8: Add any details that made your loved one special

There’s much more to life than work and club memberships. Think about other details you could include in the biography that would help people understand what made your loved one unique. 

Perhaps you want to write about how she was a Star Wars superfan and waited in line each time a new film was released. Maybe your loved one was an avid camper and fisherman and spent each weekend in a tent. 

You may want to write a lengthy exposition about what made your loved one special, which you should do. Use this information to write your loved one’s eulogy or share your writing with close family members. Depending on where you publish it, you may find your writing limited by the amount of space available. 

To get you started in your writing process, read these short, fictional obituary snippets. 

For a parent or grandparent

Douglas Richard Schrute, 82, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, June 23, 2020. His wife of 53 years was by his side at the time of death.

Douglas was born on December 22, 1938, to Richard and Mary (Sullivan) Schrute in Elmwood, Illinois. He was the fourth son born to the couple. 

After graduating from Elmwood High School, he joined the U.S. Army, serving his country in Korea.

For a child or grandchild

Mary Kate is survived by her parents, Michael and Patricia Carmichael, and one brother, Cole. Other survivors include her maternal grandparents, John and Tawnya Crabtree, and her paternal grandparents, Frank and Louise Carmichael. 

For a partner or spouse

Peter worked in the telecommunications industry all his life. He began his career at Southwestern Bell in 1973 and retired from AT&T in 2018. He worked as a technical salesperson for most of his professional life. 

For an adult without immediate family

Michael will always be remembered by his friends as the “man of 1,000 stories.” He began each conversation by saying, “Stop me if you’ve heard this before,” which no one ever did. He was the life of the party, and laughter followed him wherever he went. 

For someone who died after a long illness

Jack passed away Friday, December 8, after a long battle with lung cancer. 

The family wishes to express appreciation to the Elmwood Hospice organization for helping make his transition to heaven as peaceful as possible.

Take Great Care When Writing the Biography of a Loved One

If you are in charge of making all of the arrangements, you may find yourself overwhelmed by your list of “to-do” items. 

Even though you may find yourself pressed for time, carefully consider the wording of your loved one’s biography or obituary. Take care to be as accurate as possible by double-checking dates, the spelling of names, and other facts. 

Anytime you write something of this level of importance, it is good to have other family members and friends check the piece for accuracy, clarity, and grammar. Have others proofread the funeral program as well and help you pick which modern funeral program to include. 

You only have one chance to write the obituary of your loved one, so take your time as you complete this task. 

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Funeral Biography

Ai generator.

People always wonder what’s so good about goodbyes. There really is no acceptable answer for that. Saying our emotional farewells and letting go of the people we love is always tough. Goodbyes could mean we never get to be with our loved ones ever again. It also means we never get a second chance to say things we couldn’t vocalize. Hating the idea of never seeing someone ever again rides along with the fear of forgetting those that matter to us. That’s why, as we send them off to their final resting place, we must remember them, how they lived, and keep them in our hearts forever.

A biography is a written record of the life story and details of a person, whether alive or deceased. In a biography, the writer is either a family member, friend, or anyone who knows the person very well. This is different from an autobiography where a person writes about his own life story and experiences. So with this definition, a funeral biography is a record of the life of someone who has passed away. This is read or presented during the person’s funeral as a way of remembering him before the final goodbyes are said. This is also kept as memorabilia long after the deceased has been laid to rest.

Who was he?

Funeral biographies can come in two forms: obituaries and eulogies. Although both detail a person’s life, their weight differs greatly. Obituaries are written newspaper reports about a person’s passing. This shortly discusses the life of a person, how they died, and the location of his memorial. They serve as an announcement to reach all those who knew the departed. They aren’t always as personal as eulogies, but they still get the job done. Eulogies, on the other hand, are more extended, more personal, and written by someone who was close to the one pushing daisies. This is tearfully read in front of the person’s family and friends during the memorial service. 

15+ Best Biography Examples

Shared below are steps on how to write a funeral biography. Tips that you need to remember in writing biographies are also included.

1. Basic Biography Outline Template

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2. Biography Report Template

3. Biography Worksheet Template

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4. Free Basic Biography Outline Template

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5. Free Personal Biography Outline Template

6. Free Sample Biography Outline Template

7. Professional Biography Outline Template

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8. Artist Biography Outline Template

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9. Character Biography Outline Template

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10. Short Biography Outline Template

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11. Biography Essay Outline Format Template

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12. Biography Outline Worksheet Template

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13. Biography Report Outline Template

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14. Biography Outline Template For Elementary Students

15. Biography Book Report Outline Template

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16. Albert Einstein Biography

Remembering   You

Funeral biographies help readers and listeners remember the life of someone who has met the maker. This is a way for everyone, even for just a moment, to relive what it was like when the deceased was still around. This can be written in pamphlets or funeral service programs . But a string of recollected memories doth not a funeral biography makes. When writing a biography, you shouldn’t be too technical; you should bend your rules a little.

Written below are tips and tricks you can use when you need to write about a person who died.

1. Begin with the Basics

If you’re writing for an obituary, you shouldn’t forget about the basics. The birth date, residence, cause of death, and the deceased’s history are all vital parts in any obituary. These answer the questions the bereaved might feel too heavy to acknowledge. Since obituaries are usually written for newspapers, you should also include the location of the memorial service and burial date. This is to make sure all friends and family can come and commemorate the person’s life. God forbid they get haunted for not saying the final goodbyes.

2. A Little of You and Me

Writing eulogies requires a certain vulnerability, but you don’t have to be a professional content writer to makes something genuine. This is the part where you really recall the good times. You can detail what kind of person the deceased was, how he lived his life, and how much he mattered to people. This is where storytelling comes into play. By writing something heartfelt and relatable, you can make the whole church cry. You can use anecdotes, inside jokes, and even quote lines the guy famously said. It’s all about describing the person in a way that everyone can remember him by.

3. Light in the Darkness

As mentioned before, funerals and goodbyes are hard. They take an emotional toll on those who were close to the departed. Losing someone special always brings a negative feeling. So to combat that, you have to remember and recognize the good things. You could recall all the people whose lives were changed because of the deceased. You can write how he would finally be at peace. You can even mention all his awards, honors, and all his achievement certificates . This way, the coming of the angel of death would be easier to accept.

4. Art and Emotion

Funeral speeches can make anyone emotional. Why don’t you use these emotions to make something creative? Art created from the heart holds so much more than just physical value. Like how Walt Whitman wrote, “O Captain! My Captain” for Abe Lincoln, or how lead singer from FM Static wrote the song “Tonight” for his girlfriend, use your emotions to make something beautiful for your dearly beloved. This way, your creation would mean so much more than just an arrangement of words for the one who passed away. 

5. Words Only for You

Your funeral eulogy should also contain a special message for the departed. You can use cliched stuff like “you’re forever in our hearts” and whatever. Or you could be more in-depth. You can express how much the deceased impacted the people around him and how he changed the world in his little way. This part is where you can go all out. Pour your heart out on this one and let the departed know how you feel. You never know, there might be someone in the crowd who share your sentiments.

6. Picture Perfect Memories

A picture paints a thousand words. The encapsulated moments we never want to forget. That’s why you should include it in your biography and obituary cards . Seeing pictures of the lost one gives people a chance to see him in his happier days. They get to bring back the memories they shared with the departed. Everyone gets the opportunity to see his smile one last time before his burial. It could be a collection of photos from his childhood to his final moments, or photos of him with the people he loves most. 

Losing loved ones and coping with grief takes a lot of getting used to. But that doesn’t mean you also get used to not remembering them. That’s what writing obituaries are for; to remember our dearly departed. Besides, you don’t have to reread their biographies; you’ll always have them in your heart.

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Sample funeral biography

Sample funeral biography: a guide to writing a tribute to your loved one.

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences that we may encounter in life. When a family member or friend passes away, it can be challenging to find the right words to express how much they meant to us. One way to honor their memory is by writing a funeral biography or obituary. This article will provide you with a guide to writing a sample funeral biography, including the essential elements that should be included.

What is a funeral biography?

A funeral biography is a written tribute to a person who has passed away. It is an opportunity to celebrate and remember their life, achievements, and contributions. Funeral biographies are usually read at the funeral or memorial service, published in the obituary section of a newspaper or online, or included in a funeral program.

Why write a funeral biography?

Writing a funeral biography can be a therapeutic process for those who are grieving. It allows you to reflect on the life of your loved one and remember the happy moments you shared together. A funeral biography also serves as a way to inform others about the deceased’s life, accomplishments, and personality. It is a way to honor their memory and celebrate their life.

How to write a funeral biography?

Writing a funeral biography may seem like a daunting task, but it can be a meaningful and healing process. Here are the essential elements that should be included in a funeral biography:

1. Basic Information

The first section of the funeral biography should include basic information about the deceased, such as their full name, age, date of birth, and date of death. You can also mention their place of birth and where they lived.

2. Family Background

The next section should provide information about the deceased’s family background, including their parents’ names, siblings, spouse, children, and grandchildren. You can also mention their family traditions, values, and beliefs.

3. Education and Career

The third section should highlight the deceased’s education and career. You can mention the schools they attended, degrees they earned, and any professional organizations they were a part of. You can also highlight their career achievements, such as promotions, awards, or significant projects.

4. Hobbies and Interests

The fourth section should focus on the deceased’s hobbies and interests. You can mention their favorite activities, such as sports, music, or art. You can also highlight any volunteer work they did or any causes they were passionate about.

5. Personality and Traits

The fifth section should provide insight into the deceased’s personality and traits. You can mention their sense of humor, kindness, or any other qualities that made them unique. You can also include any stories that showcase their personality.

6. Legacy and Contributions

The final section should focus on the legacy and contributions of the deceased. You can mention any charitable causes they supported or any community service they did. You can also highlight any impact they had on their family, friends, or community.

Why use FuneralPamphlet.com?

FuneralPamphlet.com is an online platform that provides customizable funeral programs, obituaries, and funeral biographies. With FuneralPamphlet.com, you can create a personalized tribute to your loved one that reflects their unique personality and life story. FuneralPamphlet.com offers a wide range of templates, designs, and themes to choose from, making it easy to create a funeral biography that honors your loved one’s memory.

In conclusion, writing a funeral biography is a meaningful way to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one. It allows you to reflect on their achievements, contributions, and personality. With the help of FuneralPamphlet.com, you can create a personalized tribute that honors their memory and provides comfort to those who are grieving.

Notifications

How to write an obituary.

Writing an obituary is an act of love that can accomplish many things. At its core, an obituary is a declaration of loss, an acknowledgement of grief, and an expression of joy all-in-one. It celebrates the life of a loved one in a way that few other ways can.

Beyond what an obituary can accomplish emotionally, an obituary also has logistic importance, as it acts as an official notice of death that lets the community know of a loss. Historically, this communication of a death would happen via newspaper, where a family member would pay a newspaper several hundred dollars to publish an obituary and obituaries would be listed on an obituary section of the paper. However, on Ever Loved , you can write and publish an obituary online when you create a free online memorial website for a loved one. In addition to acting as a death announcement, an obituary can also be used to communicate service, burial, and memorial information and prescribe ways to donate to a cause, send flowers, volunteer, and help the bereaved.

An obituary is also a final tribute to a life well-lived, as it briefly recounts a loved one’s life as a short biography. It can be used to portray the arch of a loved ones life – from birth, through life, and arriving at death – and provide a symbolic closure to a person’s story.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an obituary. We've also written a few obituary templates for you in case you need to write your own. We hope this obituary writing help can provide you with the tools you need to honor a loved one while also following traditional practices.

1. Announce the death

Writing a death announcement in the first paragraph serves the purpose of letting the community know the details surrounding the loss of a loved one. Typically included in a death announcement are a loved one’s name, age, and place of residence, along with the time and place of death.

When writing a death announcement, it is common to use any of the following phrases:

• Beloved mother, sister, and friend
• Peacefully passed away
• Died after a long struggle with
• Passed after a hard fought battle with
• Entered fully into the presence of his Lord and Savior on August 13, 2017
• Returned to his heavenly home on January 29, 2014

As you write a death announcement, be sure to think about how the message will be perceived by friends, family, and the bereaved. For example, when you consider if you will write that a loved one “died” or “peacefully passed away,” what tone do you feel would be most appropriate for the context in which your loved one passed? Some may think that “died” is too strong, while others may prefer to state the facts as they are rather than use softer words like “pass.”

Another example would be the difference between “long struggle with” or “hard fought battle with.” Depending on the appropriate tone and context, there may be an argument for choosing one way of wording a phrase over another.

2. Tell their story as a brief biography

The biography section of an obituary is an impactful way of honoring the life of a loved one in a few paragraphs. There isn’t a defined maximum or minimum requirement for writing a biography, so don’t feel discouraged to write more if you feel like adding personal stories or emotions. But typically a brief biography will include important life events and milestones such as:

• Date and place of birth
• Parent’s names including mother’s maiden name in parentheses e.g. William and Jane (Maiden name) Johnson
• Date and place of marriage, including birth name of spouse
• Military Service
• Passions and hobbies

Tip: Before you begin writing an obituary, make sure to interview friends and family to gather notes about their life. While not every memory will be able to make it into the brief biography, your time interviewing family members can help you place a loved one’s life events in chronological order and discover passions and hobbies you may not have known about a loved one–not to mention also being a therapeutic exercise when grieving the loss of a loved one.

As you write a biography, be sure to consider how you might bring a loved one’s story to life with a few anecdotes, memories, and even inside jokes that readers might appreciate. Remember: this is an opportunity to commemorate a loved one in a way that they would want to be remembered. If they loved music, why not list a few of their favorite songs! If they were passionate about the outdoors, talk about their favorite places! Of course it’s all up to you.

3. Name their family members

Naming a loved one’s family members when writing an obituary has a lot of value and often can be seen as a way to connect a family around the life of one family member. For one, it gives community members a way to know who is a part of the family and therefore who might be grieving and need attention. Additionally, naming family members can serve the purpose of honoring those who have previously passed while making a tribute to the bereaved.

There are two key phrases that you need to be able to differentiate to avoid confusion and possibly even embarrassing family members:

• When listing family members who are still living , it is common to use phrases such as “survived by”.
• When listing family members who have previously passed away , it is common to use the phrase “preceded in death by” or “predeceased by.”

Remember: when listing family members, it's best practice to include close family such as parents, siblings, a spouse, children, and grandchildren. It’s common to name parents, siblings, a spouse, and children while it is less common to name all grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Once you’ve identified the list of family members who you will want to include when writing an obituary, its common to use a semicolon (;) to indicate a pause between two statements. See an example of how to mention family members:

Bob is survived by his wife, five children and eight grandchildren as well as his sisters, Nila (Gigi), Nina, Norri, Dede and Carrie; his brothers, Danny and Mike (Toot); Son-in-Law Eric Jahnke; Daughter-in-Law Maia Conkey and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Margo and Samuel.

4. Outline service times, locations, and details

It is common for obituaries to list out funeral events, locations, times, and details so that community members know when and how to attend any events taking place. See an example of how to list funeral events:

A Memorial Service will be held at the American Legion Post 398 in Mound, MN on Thursday November 16 at 12pm (noon) followed by a banquet to celebrate Bobby's life; all are welcome.

Tip: On Ever Loved , it’s easy to list out funeral events with rich information such as maps in an elegant design. In addition, you can collect RSVPs to funeral events to make it easier to plan for the number of people who will attend the funeral events.

5. Special messages

Special messages are optional, but can add a touching finish to an already emotional obituary. Common special messages that are included at the end of an obituary include:

• Thanks given to the staff of a certain hospital, hospice, or nursing home (including doctors and nurses)
• “Flowers can be sent to” is a phrase commonly used to help instruct community members on ways in which they can send flowers. You can specify that “ flowers can be purchased on Ever Loved here ” if it makes it easier. Of course if you prefer to deter community members from donating flowers, you can use the phrase “in lieu of flowers” to instruct community members on other ways they can contribute. (This is often used when people prefer donations to a cause instead of flowers sent, for example.)
• A short prayer or poem can also add a nice touch

Photos can typically be added to obituaries published on newspapers for an additional fee. If you’re planning on publishing your obituary on Ever Loved , it’s free to create a page where you can share memories and collect pictures, memories, and condolences as part of creating an online memorial.

It’s important to get obituary writing help since an obituary can help express what’s at times hard to say, especially while grieving. An obituary can help acknowledge and announce the death so that a community may come together, commemorate a life well lived, and be provided with ways that they can participate in celebrating the life of a loved one. The best obituaries aren’t ones that are the most expensive to publish in a newspaper, rather obituaries that are well-written and are written from the heart are ones that stand out and stay with people forever. If you're struggling to get started on an obituary, you can also always check out some free obituary templates .

Interested in publishing an obituary for free? Create a memorial website for a loved one on Ever Loved to get started and add an obituary, funeral events, track RSVPs, add photos, and more. You can also use Ever Loved's AI obituary writer to get help with writing an obituary.

Create a memorial website

Get funeral quotes, get free grief support, top free obituary templates.

Writing an obituary can be hard, but you don’t need to go without help. That’s why we’ve put together a collection of free obituary templates, obituary examples and obituary samples to help you write an amazing obituary for your loved one. Each one is an easy-to-follow, fill-in-the-blank obituary te

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What is an Obituary?

Have you been tasked with finding out how to write an obituary for a family member but don't know where to start? You've come to the right place. This article gives you information on what an obituary is, examples of an obituary you can post online, and can give you tools to get started with writing

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The Biography

Those they leave behind, information about the service, special messages, obituary examples, susan matthews.

How to Write the Names of Deceased Persons

NOTE: See also –  How to Write Names on Tombstones, Grave markers .

On this page: — — — Deceased Person’s Name on a List — — — Use of “the Late” — — — Mixing Names of Deceased with the Living — — — Deceased’s Name on a Certificate — — — Use of Mr./Ms. with a Deceased’s Name — — — Deceased with Many Titles — — — Deceased’s Name on a Resumé — — — Deceased Host/Hostess

How to Write the Name of a Deceased Person on a List? Our organization is celebrating our 100th birthday. Unfortunately, Judge Smith, one of our committee members passed away. We would like to list him in the program. —- —- —- —- – E.H.L.

Dear E.H.L.: Consider listing names of deceased persons with the years of their life after their name: —- —- John Smith (1935-2011) —- —- —- or —- —- John Smith (1935-2011), Founder

If you are aiming for a timeless form, the span of years accomplishes that.

If span of years isn’t what you want, an asterisk * ( cross or Star of David ) is put next to the name and ‘* Deceased’ is put at the bottom of the page as a footnote.

—- — John Smith* —- ———- —- —- —- * Deceased

”Deceased’ is the correct word, though some might think it is too legal sounding.

Regarding use of ‘judge’ with his name, see ‘ How to Write a Deceased Person’s Name on a Certificate’ further down on this page.

– Robert Hickey

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

When to Use ‘The Late’?

In writing the history of our organization should we present the deceased founder’s name as:  The late John Smith —- —- —- –- Darla Snyder

Ms. Snyder:

Use ‘the late’ before a name of someone who is deceased – often recently – when one wants to be respectful. For example, on a wedding program:

—- John Smith, the bride’s uncle, will give away the bride in place of her father the late Thomas Smith.

—- The groom is the son of Mrs. James K. Gifford and the late Stephen R. Gifford

Some style guides say a person can only be ‘the late’ if they have been dead less than a decade. So, in a timeless document ‘the late’ is not the right option. List the name of your founder as – (Full Name) – and note the span of years and other information after his name. —- John Smith, founder —- —- or —- John Smith (1910-2002), founder

– Robert Hickey How to Write the Names of Deceased Persons

How to Include a Deceased Person’s Name with the Names of the Living?

A ‘Special Tribute Book ‘, is being put together to commemorate our Rabbi’s 25th Anniversary. I have to decide how my contribution will be listed. Ideally, I want to include my deceased husband’s name, my name, and the names of our children. I am thinking of: —- Mrs. Robert G. Green, (Pearl), and adult children Michael, Russell, Edward, and Rebecca. — —- —- – Pearl

Dear Pearl:

I’m not crazy about ‘her adult children.’ That they are adults doesn’t seem pertinent.

I’ve seen Mrs. Robert G. Green (Pearl) used here and there, but I think it’s awkward.

How about this: —- Pearl B. Green with her children Michael, Russell, Edward, and Rebecca in memory of Robert G. Green

In identifying them as ‘her children’ everyone will know, or be able to figure out, you are also Mrs. Robert G. Green .  What do you think? —- —- —- – Robert Hickey

Dear Robert,

I’m going to go with your suggestion: —- Pearl B. Green with her children Michael, Russell, Edward, and Rebecca in memory of Robert G. Green

I read the wording to our son, Michael, and asked him if it sounded right to him? He said, ‘Mom, I think it is great!’   That’s all I needed to hear. He’s been a blessing to me, from the moment his Dad brought him into my life, fifty-seven years ago! ————– – Pearl How to Write the Names of Deceased Persons

How to Write a Deceased Person’s Name on a Certificate?

How do I write the name of our local general practitioner who has died – on a Certificate of Appreciation to be presented to his family? Do I write ‘The Late John Smith, M.D.’ ?  Thanks. ———– – Sue in Essex County

You don’t need note that he is dead. Just put his name on the certificate.

Names of the deceased are presented as just the name – no honorific before – no academic post nominals after. When they were alive they were Mr., Mrs., doctor, judge, ambassador, professor, senator, general , or captain .  Ranks and honorifics are only used with the names of the living.  The idea is – while alive the person had many versions of their name – but now those are in the past.  (1) As a pretense   at historic homes they often refer to the famous former occupant as if they are still alive. At Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, the guides refer to Thomas Jefferson as Mr. Jefferson   throughout the tour as if he is alive. It’s charming, It’s theatrical. But not the formal form.  (2) George Washington is now just George Washington . He is no longer general, he’s no longer a government official. A historian might write ‘General Washington issued an order …’  in text so the reader knows by what authority the action was taken. But reference to a person in a book is not a form of address. It is a reference in the third person so the reader can know who-is-who and what-is-what.

Back to your certificate. Use wording like this:

—- —- In Appreciation of ——– John Smith
 ——– For Exemplary Service to the Citizens of Essex County


—- The certificate can be signed & dated at the bottom: —- —- Robert Thompson, Mayor —- —- The Twenty Third Day of June, Two Thousand Twenty

Since the service was specific to the practice of medicine then including ‘M.D.’ after the name can be argued.  I would vote you include no academic post nominal. That he was a physician you can work into the statement about ‘the why’ behind the certificate.

If the certificate is dated as I suggested above … historians will figure out that this certificate was presented posthumously.

Are Mr./Mrs. Used With the Name of the Deceased Person?

My mother taught me that when a man is deceased, one should not refer to him as ‘Mr.’ Do you know of such a rule? —————- – Sue Holton

Dear Ms. Holton:

When a person is deceased, their name is presented without honorifics, ranks, courtesy titles or post-nominal abbreviations for degrees, licenses, honors or memberships.

——– #1) ‘Mr./Miss/Mrs./Ms.’ are honorifics and are used by others in direct address to a person. The honorifics are attached to the name as a courtesy to the person … and to define them in some way … as a man, woman …. or define marital status. They are used in conversation, on an envelope, on letter’s address block or salutation, or on a place card. They are not used with the names of the deceased.

——– #2) Courtesy titles …. the honorable, the reverend, his/her excellency … are not used with the names of the deceased either.

——– #3) And the same with ranks …. ambassador, military-style ranks, judge, doctor, etc. These are part of the name when the person is living, but they are not a part of their name when they are deceased.

How to Write the Name of a Deceased Person Who Had Many Titles?

How do you write the name of a deceased person who had many titles? What if the person was a mayor and had a doctorate? —- —- —- – J.K.H.

Dear J.K.H.: How to Write the Names of Deceased Persons

Deceased people are listed simply by their name – (Full Name) – typically the form of their name they had when they died – without an honorific, courtesy title, rank or post-nominal abbreviation for degrees, licenses, honors or membership.

None of these are part of a deceased person’s name:

—- Honorifics such as: Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., mayor, commissioner

—- Courtesy titles such as: excellency, honorable, reverend

—- Ranks such as: ambassador, doctor, judge, or military ranks

—- Post-nominal abbreviations such as: M.D. or Ph.D.; R.N. or C.P.A.

If they held a variety of jobs, those details would be enumerated in a biography.

How to Refer to a Deceased Employer on a Resume?

How do I refer to my deceased employer, a U.S. Senator, on my resume? —- —- —- – Beth Acorn

Dear Ms. Acorn,

It is not necessary to mention that your former employer is deceased. It only matters that your employer was alive when you worked for him/her and that you are alive today.

How Do I List a Deceased Host on an Invitation?

A baby shower was to be hosted by two individuals. Regretfully, one of the hosts passed away. The family wants the deceased to still be listed as a host on the invitation. How would that be worded? —– Posthumously Caroline Willis —- – — or —- – The Late Caroline Willis —- —- —- –- Helen Carley

Dear Ms. Carley:

It is an obligation of a guest to find their host and thank them for the invitation. Invitations are issued by the living who will, with any luck, attend the event an serve as host.

Issue the invitation with only then name of the remaining host.

Have this remaining host start the event with a welcome toast and loving remembrance … such as:

‘I cannot welcome you today without saying as we gather to celebrate of the joyous start of a new life – we also celebrate another life well lived – that of Caroline Willis. Caroline and I were to jointly host this event and nothing would have brought her more joy than to see this wonderful gathering of friends and family ….’ etc.

See these Related Posts: — —- — Use of “The Late” with Names — —- — Writing the Names of Deceased Persons — —- — Names on Tombstones, Grave Markers, Monuments

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.)  The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them. ___ What I don’t cover on this site are  many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions , etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—- #1)    At right  on desktops , at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones , is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—- #2)   If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail . I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so  (unless I am traveling.)   Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—- #3)   If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question  – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey 

Recommended Resources:    The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW)  and  Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA)     For more information see the Protocol Resources page.

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How to Write a Commemorative Biography

Why Write a Commemorative Biography?

When someone close to us passes away, we are often left with a question that can be overwhelming to face:  what now? How do we live with the memory of this person? How do we share this memory? How do we preserve it? The past is what shapes us, and remembering those we have loved and lost is an important part of living mindfully and building future relationships. Though there are a number of different ways through which one can preserve memories– photographs, memorial services, and other acts of remembrance– the writing of commemorative biographies is a practice that can be both deeply personal, as well as highly informative for future generations.

Why Collect Records?

In addition to having therapeutic emotional and mental benefits, writing down the life story of a loved one has a number of practical benefits as well. For example, by contributing to genealogical records, you are contributing to accessible records which may aid future generations in garnering a better understanding of their family history and relationships, as well as the development of their communities.

Unlike in the past when records such as these were often difficult to access as they existed in hard copy in specific locations, online access to genealogical records has increasingly become the norm. Just as grieving in the “digital age” has dramatically changed the ways in which grief is expressed as engaged with (via online grief support forums , for example), the ways in which the lives of those we lose are documented and preserved has also adapted. Qeepr’s own online memorials are exemplary of this, as we provide an online platform which can be personalized for recording and preserving the life stories of loved ones.

With our memorial profiles, you can record as much or as little personal information as you choose about those who have passed away; providing space to include all basic information about the individual (place of birth, occupation, family members, etc.), as well as offering the opportunity to share personal memories and anecdotes, upload pictures, videos, and write condolence messages. These kinds of biographical pages are both invaluable sources of information, as well as personal spaces for sharing memories and working through grief.

Top 3 Biography Writing Tips

• Draw information from everyone around you: Writing the life of someone is not something that can be done completely by a single person. It is important when writing a commemorative biography to speak to others who were close to the deceased. This includes family members, close friends, coworkers: anyone who spent time with the person who you have lost. By speaking to as many people as possible and noting how they perceived that person as well as stories of times they shared will lend itself to the development of a much richer biography.
• Gather as many documents as you can:   Gather marriage records, old photographs and videos, letters, citizenship documents, birth and death certificates- any documentation that speaks to aspects of the deceased’s life. These kinds of physical pieces of documentation are important for reference when writing a biography, and also can be scanned and added to any digital profile you are creating.

• Collect more than just records:  We all have drawers full of photographs and chances are our family members do as well! On a recent trip to visit family, one Qeepr team member found a stack of photos of their great-grandparents from the late 1800s. You can make the hunt for genealogical records that much more exciting by searching for family photos and digitizing them for everyone to enjoy.

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How to Write a Biography

Last Updated: May 28, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA . Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,862,570 times.

Writing a biography can be a fun challenge, where you are sharing the story of someone’s life with readers. You may need to write a biography for a class or decide to write one as a personal project. Once you have identified the subject of the biography, do your research so you know as much about them as possible. Then, dive into the writing of the biography and revising it until it is at its finest.

Researching Your Subject

• If the subject does not give you permission to write the biography, you may want to choose a different subject. If you decide to publish the biography without the subject’s permission, you may be susceptible to legal action by the subject.
• If the subject is no longer alive, you obviously do not need to ask permission to write about them.

• You may create research questions to help focus your research of the subject, such as, What do I find interesting about the subject? Why is this subject important to readers? What can I say that is new about the subject? What would I like to learn more about?

• For in person interviews, record them with a tape recorder or a voice recorder on your computer or phone.
• You may need to interview the subject and others several times to get the material you need.

• You may also want to visit areas where the subject made a major decision or breakthrough in their life. Being physically in the area can give you a sense of how the subject might have felt and help you write their experiences more effectively.

• When researching the time period ask yourself: What were the social norms of that time? What was going on economically and politically? How did the social and political climate affect the subject?

• You may also include historical events or moments that affected the subject on the timeline. For example, maybe there was a conflict or civil war that happened during the person’s life that affected their life.

Writing the Biography

• You may end up focusing on particular areas of the person’s life. If you do this, work through a particular period in the person’s life chronologically.

• For example, you may have a thesis statement about focusing on how the person impacted the civil rights movement in America in the 1970s. You can then make sure all your content relates back to this thesis.

• Flashbacks should feel as detailed and real as present day scenes. Use your research notes and interviews with the subject to get a good sense of their past for the flashbacks.
• For example, you may jump from the person’s death in the present to a flashback to their favorite childhood memory.

• For example, you may focus on the person’s accomplishments in the civil rights movement. You may write a whole section about their contributions and participation in major civil rights marches in their hometown.

• For example, you may notice that the person’s life is patterned with moments of adversity, where the person worked hard and fought against larger forces. You can then use the theme of overcoming adversity in the biography.

• For example, you may note how you see parallels in the person’s life during the civil rights movement with your own interests in social justice. You may also commend the person for their hard work and positive impact on society.

Polishing the Biography

• Revise the biography based on feedback from others. Do not be afraid to cut or edit down the biography to suit the needs of your readers.

• Having a biography riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors can turn off your readers and result in a poor grade if you are handing in the text for a class.

• If the biography is for a class, use MLA , APA , or Chicago Style citations based on the preferences of your instructor.

Biography Help

Community Q&A

• Be careful when publishing private or embarrassing information, especially if the person is not a celebrity. You may violate their "Right of Privacy" or equivalent. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 5
• Have the sources to back up your statements about the subject's life. Untruthful written statements can lead to litigation. If it is your opinion, be clear that it is such and not fact (although you can support your opinion with facts). Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 15

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• ↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/writing/how-to-write-a-biography.html
• ↑ https://au.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-bio
• ↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/3-tips-for-writing-successful-flashbacks
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-bio/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://www.plagiarism.org/article/how-do-i-cite-sources

About This Article

Before you write a biography, gather as much information about the subject that you can from sources like newspaper articles, interviews, photos, existing biographies, and anything else you can find. Write the story of that person’s life, including as much supporting detail as you can, including information about the place and time where the person lived. Focus on major events and milestones in their life, including historical events, marriage, children, and events which would shape their path later in life. For tips from our reviewer on proofreading the biography and citing your sources, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to write a biography without biographical information

O n the first page of Sarah Ruden’s biography of Vergil, she states the problem that any biographer of the ancient poet and author of the Aeneid faces: We know almost nothing about him. “The man is like Shakespeare ,” she writes. “He disappeared into his writing.”

So, why write a biography of him, and how might one go about it if one did? The answer to the first question might be money. That was certainly Stephen Greenblatt’s motivation in writing a highly publicized biography of Shakespeare nearly 20 years ago. Greenblatt got a six-figure advance for Will in the World , which sold 150,000 copies on the first day of publication and was on the New York Times’s bestseller list for nine weeks. But only Shakespeare is Shakespeare, of course, and no other author, living or dead, comes close to generating the amount of interest he does.

KEEPING THE NOVEL ALIVE BY READING, AND ARGUING, WELL

Ruden in her preface stated that she decided to write a biography of Vergil largely out of curiosity. She is the author of an acclaimed translation of the Aeneid , and she became increasingly intrigued, she writes, as she worked on the translation by how a “mere life” could “produce such beauty”: “After much hesitation, I set off on a quest to know Vergil the man better through what probably follows from such things as his physical, social, and literary contexts and his own literary innovations.”

Thus, we have the answer to the second question. How to go about writing a biography of someone who left behind no memoir, no collection of letters, and whose entire biographical record consists of a few pages in Suetonius Tranquillus's On Illustrious Men ? Use historical contexts to speculate as to what he might have thought or could have done. Call it the Might-Have-Could-Have approach to biography.

The risk of such an approach is obvious. The subject of the biography becomes a mere object of our own projections. What we get is not Vergil himself, but the proto-fascist Vergil or the anti-imperialist Vergil, the proto-Christian Vergil or the gay Vergil. I am reminded of Daniel Mendelsohn’s article in the New Yorker a few years ago in which he presented Vergil as something of a tragic, bleeding-heart liberal, whose sympathies are on the side of the victims whom "‘empire’ leaves in its wake” but who was pressed into the service of empire nonetheless.

Ruden is aware of this risk. “We need to make our own peace with our own histories,” she writes, “and leave Vergil out of them.” She proposes to avoid it by sticking closely to what Vergil wrote and extrapolating only those biographical tidbits that seem plausible. H. L. Mencken may have been right when he wrote that criticism “is no more than prejudice made plausible.” But a biography that is no more than prejudice made plausible is no biography at all.

Problematically, Ruden proposes to compare Vergil to his modern “descendants” — that is, to modern writers — to gain insight into his life. She argues that because writers are categorically different from other people, it makes sense that Vergil might have more in common with other writers, even those who lived 2,000 years after he died, than he did with the people of his own time. After all, wasn’t Vergil, like so many modern writers, an eccentric who lived an unconventional life marked by an unwavering commitment to art? “Many things about Vergil’s life made more sense to me,” she writes, “once I dared to grasp that this shy young man from nowhere, who struggled from line to line as he composed and revised, sensed in some part of his mind that if he tried hard enough he could cause the world to welcome millions of copies of his work.” She goes on to compare him to Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf, among others.

Alas, rather than getting us closer to the “real Vergil,” Ruden’s biography simply gives another Vergil — Vergil the brooding, sensitive modern writer who sacrifices everything for his art. This leads to problems.

One thing we know about Vergil from Suetonius is that he was frequently ill and rarely “appeared in public in Rome.” We're told this was because his fame made it difficult for him to move about freely in the capital. Ruden claims (and I think she is right) that he also avoided going to Rome because he was shy and committed to his work. But she suggests that he may have even faked illness to avoid social contact and was something of a misanthrope. “I am convinced,” she writes, “that his characters tend to fall short in differentiation and believable thoughts and feelings because he did not like other people much or find their minds reliably interesting compared with his own.” Her further evidence of this misanthropy is that he wrote a lot about nature.

She wants to see Vergil as a modern artist who eschews authority and “civic and professional duty,” but she is at pains to explain how he could be one while also writing an epic poem whose primary purpose was to celebrate the Roman empire. This leads her to make muddled statements like this:

The poet’s quasi-propagandistic work remains worth reading now that all its ideological and cultural assertions but the most universal have been discredited, at least in liberal democratic nations. Modern ethics reject unquestioning religious, filial, and patriotic 'duty,' and most especially the divinely decreed 'fate' of one race to conquer and rule others. But the Aeneid is still running on its literary steam.

This divorce of content and form forces Ruden to identify Vergil’s literary accomplishment with something like verbal decoration. Ruden means it as a compliment when she writes that “Vergil was the only poet” who could “relieve and decorate” the “necessary heavy-handedness” of a “full-length epic poem about the ruling dynasty’s purported ancient foundations.” But this diminishes, rather than heightens, Vergil’s accomplishment. Immediately after this, she admits that Vergil and Augustus likely did not disagree on the work’s “major themes.” So why divorce those themes from style and prosody in the first place?

Even more problematically, Ruden suggests that several of the poems of the Appendix Vergiliana , a supposed collection of Vergil’s juvenilia that many scholars dispute, were indeed written by Vergil because it is implausible that he would not leave a record of his development. Why? Because Vergil was more of a modern poet than an ancient one. “If Vergil was, as he appears to have been,” Ruden writes, “a modern type of conspicuously isolated author with an independent, obsessive drive to perfect certain literary forms, rather than the typical ancient author who wrote for public occasions and communal edification, then a large archive makes sense.” Talk about begging the question.

Ruden even wonders whether Vergil became so obsessed with perfecting the Aeneid that Augustus became paranoid and killed him. Vergil died of heatstroke in Athens, which doesn’t make much sense according to Ruden. “If the Romans knew anything, it was how to deal with hot climates," she continues. "Did Augustus, alive to the difficulties of either controlling or sidelining the popular, well-liked author who had written the great national poem but then fled the nation, turn his mind to the advantages of Vergil’s bad health worsening to a lethal degree? ... Was treatment of Vergil’s condition withheld? Or was sunstroke a cover story for something else? Was there something in Vergil’s refreshments?”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

She quickly adds that this is all “speculative reconstruction.” A better phrase for it is “pure speculation.” The only thing she insists on is that the ancient account of his death doesn’t make sense.

Fine. But why not leave it at that? Because word counts must be met, I suppose, for book contracts to be kept.

Micah Mattix is a professor of English at Regent University.

Tags: Books , Book Reviews , Media , Literature , History , Roman Empire

Original Author: Micah Mattix

Original Location: How to write a biography without biographical information

Johnny Wactor, 'General Hospital' actor, fatally shot at 37 during suspected theft attempt

Johnny Wactor , best known for his role as Brando Corbin in " General Hospital ," was shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles. He was 37.

Wactor was shot dead early Saturday morning during an attempted catalytic converter theft in the downtown area, per a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers responded to a radio call of an assault with a deadly weapon and shooting in the 1200 block of Hope Street in Los Angeles around 3:25 a.m. local time. Upon arriving at the scene, LAPD "discovered the victim, identified as John William Wactor, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound," the news release read.

Wactor was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel.

In a statement to Variety Sunday, Wactor's talent agent, David Shaul, called the actor a "spectacular human being" who was a "real moral example to everyone who knew him."

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"Standing for hard work, tenacity and a never give up attitude. In the highs and lows of a challenging profession he always kept his chin up and kept striving for the best he could be," Shaul said in a statement. "Our time with Johnny was a privilege we would wish on everyone. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. After over a decade together, he will leave a hole in our hearts forever."

TMZ was first to report Wactor's death.

'Such a bright soul': Johnny Wactor's ex tells killer 'you shot the wrong guy' in emotional video

Johnny Wactor was shot 'without provocation' as suspects stole his car's catalytic converter: LAPD

According to local TV station KTLA , LAPD said Wactor saw three individuals stealing the catalytic converter from his vehicle and that when he confronted them, they turned around and shot him.

The actor's mother, Scarlett, told ABC7 on Sunday that her son was leaving work at a downtown rooftop bar when the incident happened and that Wactor initially thought his car was being towed, so he approached the person to ask if that was the case. When the masked suspect looked up, however, the suspect opened fire at her son, she said.

In the news release from LAPD Tuesday, officers add that Wactor's vehicle was raised up with a floor jack as the three individuals attempted to steal the catalytic converter. "Without provocation, the victim was shot by one of the individuals," LAPD said. "The three suspects involved were wearing all dark clothing and driving a dark colored sedan."

The suspects are still at large, police say. Central Bureau Homicide is investigating Wactor's case.

Wactor's mother, Scarlett, told Fox News Digital in an interview that authorities are planning an autopsy and the actor's family will bring him back to South Carolina for funeral services.

"What I'd like for everybody to know is that they took a great human being. It is leaving a very large hole in me and his brother's lives," Scarlett said of her son. "We just buried my husband, their dad, four years ago. And he was very loved by his friends, his families. He lived life to the fullest, he chased his dreams, (and was) a very optimistic, positive person."

She concluded: "I hope they catch them, and I hope there’s justice for Johnny. That’s all I can hope and pray for. I will see him again. But down here on earth, it’s going to be a very, very long road without him for me and his brothers."

Johnny Wactor played Brando Corbin on 'General Hospital', made his debut in 'Army Wives'

Wactor appeared in the ABC daytime soap as Brando Corbin between 2020 and 2022. But he made his acting debut on television in the Lifetime drama series "Army Wives" (2007).

His other television roles include "Hollywood Girl" (2010), Siberia" (2013), "Agent X" (2015), "Vantastic" (2016), "Animal Kingdom" (2016), "Criminal Minds" (2017), "NCIS" (2019), "The OA" (2019), "Westworld" (2020), "The Passenger" (2020) and "Station 19" (2023).

The actor also worked on several short films including "The Grass Is Never Greener" (2010), "GoldenBox" (2011), "Anything for You, Abby" (2019) and "We Won't Forget" (2021).

He also appeared in feature films, most notably 2016's "USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage," starring Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore and Thomas Jane. Wactor was also credited in films such as "Menthol" (2014), "Trapper's Edge" (2023) and "Supercell" (2023).

Wactor is survived by his mother, Scarlett, and brothers, Lance and Grant.

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Morgan Spurlock, Documentarian Known for ‘Super Size Me,’ Dies at 53

His 2004 film followed Mr. Spurlock as he ate nothing but McDonald’s for a month. It was nominated for an Oscar, but it later came in for criticism.

By Clay Risen and Remy Tumin

Morgan Spurlock, a documentary filmmaker who gained fame with his Oscar-nominated 2004 film “ Super Size Me ,” which followed him as he ate nothing but McDonald’s for 30 days — but later stepped back from the public eye after admitting to sexual misconduct — died on Thursday in New York City. He was 53.

His brother Craig Spurlock said the cause was complications of cancer.

A self-described attention hound with a keen eye for the absurd, Mr. Spurlock was a playwright and television producer when he rocketed to global attention with “Super Size Me,” an early entry into the genre of gonzo participatory filmmaking that borrowed heavily from the confrontational style of Michael Moore and the up-close-and-personal influences of reality TV, which was then just emerging as a genre.

The film’s approach was straightforward: Mr. Spurlock would eat nothing but McDonald’s food for a month, and if a server at the restaurant offered to “supersize” the meal — that is, to give him the largest portion available for each item — he would accept.

The movie then follows Mr. Spurlock and his ever-patient girlfriend through his 30-day odyssey, splicing in interviews with health experts and visits to his increasingly disturbed physician. At the end of the month, he was 25 pounds heavier, depressed, puffy-faced and experiencing liver dysfunction.

The film, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival, grossed over $22 million, made Mr. Spurlock a household name, earned him an Academy Award nomination for best documentary and helped spur a sweeping backlash against the fast-food industry — though only temporarily ; today, McDonald’s has 42,000 locations worldwide, its stock is near an all-time high, and 36 percent of Americans eat fast food on any given day.

“His movie,” the critic A.O. Scott wrote in The New York Times , “goes down easy and takes a while to digest, but its message is certainly worth the loss of your appetite.”

The film became a touchstone in American culture. By making himself a part of the story, Mr. Spurlock could be considered a forerunner of TikTok influencers and citizen-journalist YouTubers.

And even after the backlash against fast food subsided, “Super Size Me” remained a staple in high school health classes and a reference point for taking personal responsibility for one’s own diet.

But the film also came in for subsequent criticism. Some people pointed out that Mr. Spurlock refused to release the daily logs tracking his food intake. Health researchers were unable to replicate his results in controlled studies.

And in 2017, he admitted that he had not been sober for more than a week at a time in 30 years — meaning that, in addition to his “McDonald’s only” diet, he was drinking, a fact that he concealed from his doctors and the audience, and that most likely skewed his results.

The admission came in a statement in which he also revealed multiple incidents of sexual misconduct, including an encounter in college that he described as rape, as well as repeated infidelity and the sexual harassment of an assistant at his production company, Warrior Poets.

The statement, which Mr. Spurlock posted on Twitter in 2017, came as he was gearing up for the release of a sequel to the film, “ Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! ” on YouTube Red.

He stepped down from his production company, and YouTube dropped the film; it was instead released in 2019 by Samuel Goldwyn Films.

Morgan Valentine Spurlock was born on Nov. 7, 1970, in Parkersburg, W.Va., and grew up in Beckley, W.Va. His father, Ben, owned and operated an auto-repair shop, and his mother, Phyllis (Valentine) Spurlock, was a junior high school and high school guidance counselor.

He later said he grew up as a fan of 1970s and ’80s British comedies like “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” and “Blackadder.”

“I was doing funny walks round the house at 6 or 7,” he told The Independent in 2012 .

He studied film at New York University and received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1993, then began his career as a production assistant on film projects around New York City, beginning with Luc Besson’s “Léon: The Professional” (1994).

He also began writing plays, including “The Phoenix,” which won an award at the 1999 New York International Fringe Festival.

Mr. Spurlock’s first foray onto the screen was a proto-reality show called “I Bet You Will,” which was also one of the first web-only programs. In five-minute segments, he would dare people to do something gross, or humiliating, or both — eating a “worm burrito,” for example — in exchange for a wad of cash.

The show drew millions of viewers, as well as the interest of MTV, which bought the program a few months after it debuted.

During a Thanksgiving visit to his parents in 2002, Mr. Spurlock saw a TV news story about two women who had sued McDonald’s, claiming that the chain had misled them about the nutritional value of its hamburgers, fries and sodas and caused them to gain significant weight.

“A spokesman for McDonald’s came on and said, you can’t link their obesity to our food — our food is healthy, it’s nutritious,” he told The New York Times in 2004 . “I thought, ‘If it’s so good for me, I should be able to eat it every day, right?’”

And thus, “Super Size Me” was born.

Mr. Spurlock took to fame eagerly, and, with his wide smile and handlebar mustache, was hard to miss. He became an unofficial spokesman for the wellness movement, hobnobbed with celebrity chefs — and scrambled to find a new project.

He did not want to lose the momentum generated by “Super Size Me,” nor did he want to go down in history only as the guy who ate a lot of Big Macs.

“I’ll be that guy till I die,” he told The Independent.

A follow-up film, “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?” (2008), was not nearly as well received. Critics assailed him for making light of an international terrorist and for oversimplifying complicated global politics. More bricks were thrown when it emerged that he had put himself at significant personal risk while in Pakistan while his wife was at home with their newborn son.

Eventually, he did get somewhat past the shadow of “Super Size Me”: He teamed up with the actors Jason Bateman and Will Arnett to explore the male grooming industry in “Mansome” (2012) and followed the band One Direction around, resulting in the film “One Direction: This Is Us” (2013).

He produced films by other documentarians, including “The Other F Word” (2011), directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins, about punk rockers who became fathers, and “A Brony Tale” (2014), directed by Brent Hodge, about the subculture known as Bronies — adults, mostly men, who love the animated series “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.”

And he continued to make projects that leaned on the participatory style of “Super Size Me.” He created and starred in a series called “30 Days” for FX, in which a person, often Mr. Spurlock himself, would spend about a month embedded in a community much different from his own. One episode saw him spend 25 days in a Virginia jail.

Mr. Spurlock was married three times, to Priscilla Sommer, Alexandra Jamieson and Sara Bernstein; all three marriages ended in divorce. Along with his brother Craig, he is survived by another brother, Barry; his parents; and his sons, Laken and Kallen.

His decision to discuss his sexual past, which came at the height of the #Metoo movement, was met with a mix of praise and criticism. Though many people lauded him for coming forward, critics suggested that he was trying to get ahead of a story that was going to emerge anyway.

All agreed, though, that the decision came with consequences: “Career death,” The Washington Post declared it in 2022 , noting that the once-ubiquitous Mr. Spurlock had largely disappeared.

Clay Risen is a Times reporter on the Obituaries desk. More about Clay Risen

Remy Tumin is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news and other topics. More about Remy Tumin

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Pga tour star grayson murray dead at 30, share this article.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner who battled alcohol issues and depression, has died, according to PGA Tour officials. He was 30.

Murray played the first round and part of the second round in this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, but withdrew from the event after 16 holes on Friday, citing an illness.

No cause of death has been listed, but PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan issued a statement to staff and players stating that grief counselors would be on hand. The tournament will continue as scheduled.

Murray attended Wake Forest University, East Carolina University, and Arizona State University, and later won the 2017 Barbasol Championship and the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii.

“We were devastated to learn — and are heartbroken to share — that PGA Tour player Grayson Murray passed away this morning,” Monahan said in his note. “I am at a loss for words. The PGA Tour is a family, and when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same. We mourn Grayson and pray for comfort for his loved ones. I reached out to Grayson’s parents to offer our deepest condolences, and during that conversation, they asked that we continue with tournament play. They were adamant that Grayson would want us to do so.

“As difficult as it will be, we want to respect their wishes. The PGA Tour has grief counselors available at both tournament sites, as well as virtually for those not in the field. I am en route to Ft. Worth and will share more information when we can.”

After capturing three straight IMG Junior World titles starting in 2006, he became the second youngest player to make the cut at a Korn Ferry Tour event when he did so at the age of 16. He also played in the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion as an amateur.

Murray showed great promise on the course, winning the 2017 Barbasol despite drinking during tournament week and admitting in January that he played three days hungover when he won.

“Best thing and worst thing that ever happened to me was winning my rookie year,” he said. “I think the alcohol brought a side out of me that wasn’t me. It was kind of the monster in me in a way.”

Photos: PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray through the years

But the early success proved to be short-lived. He struggled to make cuts and conceded he was jealous of the players he grew up competing against, who were having greater success. Along the way, he had a Twitter spat with a fellow player, suffered a scooter accident in 2022 in Bermuda , and threatened to quit on multiple occasions. Murray also dealt with anxiety and depression, and said there were days he didn’t want to get out of bed.

“I just thought I was a failure,” he said. “I thought I had a lot of talent that was just a waste of talent.”

It appeared his life turned around, however, as Murray had gotten sober in 2023.

“It was by choice,” he said after winning the Sony Open. “It was time.”

He regained exempt status on the PGA Tour after winning twice on the Korn Ferry Tour last year and set out to treat his return to the big leagues as a new beginning.

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Murray said he was treating the 2024 season as if it was his rookie year all over again.

“I was young and thought I was invincible. Wasn’t doing the correct stuff off the course to really give myself the best chance to succeed out here,” he said. “My scooter accident in Bermuda was really a low point in my life. You know, I’ve obviously been vocal about the alcohol use in the past. I’m over eight months sober now. I have a beautiful fiancée that I love so much and who is so supportive of me, and my parents are so supportive of me.”

Murray made waves via social media in 2021 when he revealed his struggles with Tour life that he said had led him to become an alcoholic. Murray claimed he was on probation with the PGA Tour after he got drunk in a Hawaii hotel bar despite causing “no scene whatsoever.” He also expressed disappointment that the Tour didn’t help him deal with his alcohol problem.

“We are saddened and heartbroken to learn about the sudden passing of Grayson Murray,” Kevin Canning, Murray’s agent, said in a statement. “Grayson has been a longtime member of the GSE family and hearing the news this morning shocked all of us. We will hold off on commenting until we learn further details but our heart aches for his family, his friends and all who loved him during this very difficult time.”

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What we can and can’t know about the death toll in Gaza

The united nations adjusted its gaza fatality reporting. here’s what the data does and doesn’t tell us..

From the earliest days of the Israel-Hamas war, global leaders have questioned the reliability of fatality data coming out of Gaza. In October, without citing a specific reason, President Joe Biden said he had  “no confidence”  in the numbers.

Today, the overall figure of people dead is reported at about 35,000. But there’s no clear understanding about how many of these people are combatants and how many are civilians.

That’s because over most of the conflict, the figures have come from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, an agency of the region’s Hamas-controlled government.

Hamas, identified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 1997,  has ruled Gaza since it swept a majority in 2006 parliamentary elections. After Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people, Israel in its retaliation  largely blocked   foreign journalists  from entering the Gaza strip. Israeli  protesters blocked   humanitarian aid . And Israeli attacks crushed Gaza’s infrastructure, fueling mounting concern about the Ministry of Health’s fatality data’s accuracy.

Without any other options, the United Nations and other leaders rely on Hamas government figures despite little transparency over its sources or methodology.

Its Ministry of Health describes all casualties as  victims of  “Israeli aggression.”

Confusion over the figures reached a boiling point  May 8 , when the U.N. released data that showed a significant reduction in the number of women and children who had died Gaza:

On  May 6,  the U.N. had reported greater than 9,500 women and greater than 14,500 children dead. Two days later, the figures showed 4,959 women and 7,797 children.

“UN halves estimates of women and children killed in Gaza,” MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” cohost Joe Scarborough wrote in a May 12  X post . Scarborough shared  a May 11 Jerusalem Post article  and said, “Apparently, the Hamas figures repeatedly cited are false.”

Israeli officials also seized on the change: “The miraculous resurrection of the dead in Gaza,” Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote in a  May 13 X post . “The @UN had reduced its estimate of women and children killed in Gaza by 50% and claims that it relied on data from the Hamas Ministry of Health. Anyone who relies on fake data from a terrorist organization in order to promote blood libels against Israel is antisemitic and supports terrorism.”

Another  May 13 Instagram post  said, “The UN quietly admitted the casualty numbers in Gaza were OVER INFLATED by nearly half.”

Others said that critiques of the Ministry of Health’s fatality data went too far. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said that the reported death toll out of Gaza is likely an undercount of what he described as “mass slaughter.”

Louis Charbonneau, the U.N. director at Human Rights Watch, said no one is going to have exact numbers, but the Ministry of Health data is the best available. “Death tolls are a messy business — extremely difficult,” Charbonneau said. “And at the end of the day, no one is expecting 100% accuracy because it’s just impossible. We know the number’s big.”

How much can the available data tell us? It’s complicated.

Did the fatality statistics get ‘halved’?

Not according to the U.N.’s explanation.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General, said the overall number of fatalities recorded by authorities in Gaza and reported by the U.N. have “remained unchanged at more than 35,000 people” since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a violent attack on Israel. But the subcategorization on deaths of women and children changed because the ministry provided an updated breakdown of those whose identities it said had been fully documented. This was a smaller subset of the total number of fatalities.

Typically, when a conflict occurs, the U.N. gets its casualty data from what Haq described as “our trusted sources on the ground,” then it cross-checks that information. The scale and intensity of the fighting in Gaza, however, sets this conflict apart and, in this case, Haq said, the U.N. has no means to verify firsthand the Ministry of Health’s data.

Although the data cannot be interpreted as incontrovertible, the U.N., World Health Organization and organizations that track conflict casualties said Hamas’ government-sourced data should not be dismissed outright.

Following previous conflicts, the U.N.’s efforts to independently verify the Ministry of Health’s fatality data found only  small discrepancies . That said, this conflict stands apart in its scale of destruction, experts said, making the statistics’ reliability more of an open question.

Between the  May 6  and  May 8  updates, the total number of reported fatalities increased from  34,735 people  to  34,844 people , including a subset of more than 10,000 people “reported missing or under the rubble.”

(Screenshot/United Nations)

The Government Media Office provided the May 6 estimate of reported fatalities, which included more than 9,500 women and more than 14,500 children. The U.N.’s May 8 graphic’s demographic breakdown is what sparked confusion and concern.

That graphic shows the Ministry of Health’s data for a smaller subset of the nearly 35,000 reported casualties, Haq said. It provides a breakdown of demographic information for 24,686 people the ministry had fully identified with their dates of birth and death, gender and ID number and whose deaths it had documented as of April 30, U.N. spokesperson Jens Laerke  explained May 17 .

During a  May 13 briefing , Haq said the change came after the Ministry of Health provided an updated breakdown of fatalities “for whom full details have been documented.”

“Out of those, then — out of that smaller number, that subset of identified bodies — you have 7,797 children, 4,959 women, 1,924 elderly and 10,006 men,” Haq said during the briefing. People in the “elderly” group are not categorized by gender.

The Ministry of Health told the U.N. that it is still in the process of detailing the identities of all who are found dead, according to Haq.

We tried to contact the Government Media Office and Ministry of Health for additional information about the data but did not hear back.

How are deaths being recorded?

Early in the conflict, fatality data came from public and private hospitals, where medical workers recorded names, ages, genders and ID numbers of people who died. The information went into an electronic database, according to  news   reports .

Attacks on hospitals and  communications blackouts  significantly impacted the quality of data over time, researchers at organizations that track data about armed conflict told us.

On Dec. 11, 2023, the Ministry of Health announced in a statistical digest that it had started incorporating media sources for its fatality figures, said David Adesnik, a senior fellow and research director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative, foreign policy-focused think tank. The ministry did not identify what media sources it was relying on but the proportion of data coming from media accounts increased over time, Adesnik said: “Media sources served as the documentation for more than three-fourths of deaths counted during the first three months of 2024.”

The biggest change in the U.N.’s data in early May wasn’t the data format, but its source, Adesnik said.

The May 6 update sourced its information on women and children killed to the Government Media Office; the May 8 update identified only the Ministry of Health.

During a  May 17 press briefing , Laerke said that the U.N. views the Ministry of Health as the “best available source” for fatality data. Although the Government Media Office breakdown was used for a period when the ministry couldn’t provide data, the U.N. switched back to the ministry’s data when it became available again “because we provide the best available data at the time of reporting.”

What’s uncertain about the death toll in Gaza?

Salma Eissa, Middle East research manager for the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, said data quality has diminished.

“There has been a discernible downward trend in the quality of the data, which has continued since mid-February when only three of the eight Gaza hospitals meant to track fatalities were doing so,” Eissa said, citing  April analysis  by U.K.-based Action on Armed Violence, which records and investigates armed violence against civilians globally.

Rachel Taylor, the executive director at Every Casualty Counts, a U.K.-based organization that focuses on recording and identifying armed violence deaths, said that the current scale of devastation means the Ministry of Health’s data collection methodology “can no longer be applied consistently” as it has in the past.

“Over the course of the violence, the hospitals have been destroyed,” said Taylor, who anticipates the actual numbers are higher than is being reported. “The morgues have been destroyed. The paper records have been destroyed. Healthcare professionals have been killed or displaced.”

In the  May 12 episode  of the “Call Me Back” podcast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that about 14,000 combatants had been killed “and probably around 16,000 civilians have been killed.” We contacted the Israeli Defense Forces for additional information about that data and received no response.

Experts at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project cautioned that the Ministry of Health’s list of identified fatalities includes some deaths that might be attributable to Palestinian armed groups or have undetermined causes.

PolitiFact Researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report.

This fact check was originally published by PolitiFact , which is part of the Poynter Institute. See the sources for this fact check here .

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