Do you mention ex wife in obituary?

Yes, you can mention an ex-wife in an obituary, but it's a personal decision based on the deceased's life, relationships, and the family's wishes, often done tactfully to acknowledge children from the marriage or significant shared history, with common phrasing like "his former wife, [Name], the mother of his children" or simply listing her name after current family. It's generally omitted if the relationship was difficult or no children were involved and the current spouse prefers, but including her can serve as a historical record or acknowledge shared family, notes Quora users.

Do people put ex-wives in obituaries?

If the individual was not married at the time of their death but had been previously married, it is appropriate (but not necessary) to list their former spouses in the obituary.

What should you never put in an obituary?

Common Mistakes to Avoid when Writing an Obituary

• Avoid Making the Obituary About You. ...
• Don't Focus Just on Death. ...
• Listing People Who Were Appreciated. ...
• Avoid Clichés. ...
• Abbreviations. ...
• Don't Over Describe the Funeral.

Do you include estranged family members in an obituary?

It is customary to list all family members. it's generally best practice to include estranged family in an obituary as a factual record of relationships, unless the deceased explicitly expressed a desire otherwise. Remember the Obituary will be a historical record.

How do you list divorced parents in an obituary?

If you're struggling to express a divorce in an obituary, feel free to use the following text as a guide: Though their relationship turned out to be less permanent than either of them expected, both went on to [remarry, raise exceptional children, etc.].

Benefits From A Deceased Ex-Spouse?

How do you refer to an ex-spouse in an obituary?

It can include, or exclude, anything the family wishes. Dear Abby: Here in the South, an ex-spouse is often listed this way: "Jane Doe of Memphis, Tenn., is the mother of his children." The primary reason is so the children feel their surviving parent, and the years their parents spent together, are acknowledged.

What is proper etiquette when an ex-spouse dies?

Etiquette when an ex-spouse dies hinges on your relationship, especially if you share children; prioritize supporting your kids, keeping a low profile if you attend, and communicating with the current family to gauge their comfort, while focusing on respect, shared memories, and avoiding drama or discussions about inheritance. 

What should I exclude from an obituary?

When writing an obituary, consider omitting or modifying these details:

• The deceased's exact birth date (use just the year)
• Home addresses of survivors.
• Maiden names, especially of surviving relatives.
• Names of young grandchildren.
• Specific details about where family members work or live.

What are common obituary mistakes?

One of the most common mistakes in obituaries is simple spelling and grammar errors. Misspelling the name of the deceased, family members, or places can be particularly distressing, as it may suggest carelessness or diminish the dignity of the tribute.

What is the etiquette for estranged family funerals?

Dealing with estranged family at a funeral involves setting firm boundaries, keeping interactions brief and polite, having a support system (a friend/family buffer), and focusing on your own grief process rather than old conflicts, remembering it's okay to leave if overwhelmed. Prioritize self-care, stay physically distant if needed, and use phrases like, "I'm here to honor [Deceased's Name], and I need to focus on that right now," to manage difficult conversations.
 

What three colors should you not wear to a funeral?

You should generally never wear red, bright pink, orange, or yellow to a funeral, as these vibrant colors draw attention and are seen as inappropriate for solemn occasions; stick to traditional dark, subdued colors like black, navy, or gray to show respect and avoid distracting from the deceased. The goal is to blend in, not stand out, so avoid anything flashy or overly casual. 

What funeral directors don't want you to know?

Funeral directors don't want you to know you have significant choices to save money and control the service, such as buying caskets from other retailers, handling arrangements yourself (like using your home for services), and that embalming isn't always legally required, especially for cremation or quick burials, and refrigeration can be used instead. Key secrets include that funeral homes are businesses, you don't need package deals, sealed caskets don't truly preserve bodies, and you can request specific services like a rental casket insert for viewings.
 

What are the 3 C's of death?

The Three C's are the primary worries children have when someone dies: Cause, Contagion, and Care. These concerns reflect how children understand death at different developmental stages.

Is an ex-wife considered a widow?

No, legally you are not a widow if you are divorced when your ex-spouse dies; you are a surviving divorced spouse or simply divorced/single, as widowhood requires being married at the time of the death, but you may qualify for similar financial benefits, like Social Security, under specific rules. While emotionally you might feel like a widow, legally and for many official purposes, your status remains divorced, though benefits as a "surviving divorced spouse" exist if married for at least 10 years and not remarried. 

Where should an ex-wife sit at a funeral?

An ex-wife typically sits in the back or with other friends/non-family attendees at a funeral, rather than in the front family section, unless she has children with the deceased or is on very good terms and invited to sit closer with the family. Her seating depends on her relationship with the deceased and their new family, with the goal of being supportive but not drawing attention or causing awkwardness, often choosing a spot with other acquaintances. 

Do you include an ex-daughter-in-law in an obituary?

Generally, an ex in-law would not be considered a survivor for obituary purposes unless the relationship remained good or the rest of the family felt it was appropriate to include the individual. If there are children of the ex sister-in-law that need to be included, you could list survivors this way: “Surviving are……

What to avoid in an obituary?

When writing an obituary, avoid sharing personal data (Social Security, exact birth date, home address, mother's maiden name) for identity theft protection, negative or controversial details, overly sentimental clichés ("long battle"), and excessive funeral specifics; focus on key life events, achievements, and a respectful, balanced narrative instead. 

What is the 40 day rule after death?

The 40-day rule after death, prevalent in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and some other traditions (like Coptic, Syriac Orthodox), marks a significant period where the soul journeys to its final judgment, completing a spiritual transition from Earth to the afterlife, often involving prayers, memorial services (like the 'sorokoust' in Orthodoxy), and rituals to help the departed soul, symbolizing hope and transformation, much like Christ's 40 days before Ascension, though its interpretation varies by faith, with some Islamic views seeing it as cultural rather than strictly religious. 

What is disrespectful at a funeral?

However, one thing that is never okay to do is to bring drugs or drinks to a funeral or to show up intoxicated. This is the number one sign of complete disrespect and rudeness. Imagine if it was your funeral. You wouldn't want someone opening a beer or having a hidden flask of drinks.

Are exes mentioned in obituaries?

Some tips: Whether an ex is named in a paid death notice placed by the family (the classified ad obituary) is a matter of personal preference. A news obituary article written by a reporter will include the names of former spouses, whether separated by death or divorce.

What are common tribute mistakes to avoid?

Rambling, adding irrelevant details, or drifting into tangents can dilute your message and lose the audience's attention. Avoid going off on tangents that may confuse mourners or distract from the tribute. Stick to key points, anecdotes, and memories that highlight the deceased's life and character.

What to leave out of an obituary?

When writing an obituary, avoid sharing personal data (Social Security, exact birth date, home address, mother's maiden name) for identity theft protection, negative or controversial details, overly sentimental clichés ("long battle"), and excessive funeral specifics; focus on key life events, achievements, and a respectful, balanced narrative instead. 

How do I acknowledge an ex-wife in an obituary?

To mention an ex-wife in an obituary, keep it simple and factual, often stating, "He is survived by his former wife, [Name], and their children," especially if children are involved, or just list her name with a phrase like "mother of his children" to acknowledge the shared past and family without dwelling on the divorce, always coordinating with family for sensitivity and accuracy. 

What rights does an ex-wife have after death?

An ex-wife's rights after a former spouse's death depend heavily on whether the divorce was finalized and if estate documents (will, trusts, beneficiary forms) were updated; she might inherit if named a beneficiary (like on old life insurance/retirement accounts), claim Social Security survivor benefits, or, if the divorce was unfinished, potentially inherit marital property or have claims under state intestacy laws, though finalized divorce usually severs inheritance rights unless specified otherwise in agreements or documents. 

What color is not appropriate to wear to a funeral?

You should avoid bright, flashy, or attention-grabbing colors like red, orange, bright pink, yellow, and neon shades, as well as overly casual hues like bright whites or metallics (gold/silver) at most funerals, to show respect and keep the focus on the deceased, though dark, muted colors (black, navy, gray, burgundy) are generally acceptable. Always check if the family requested a specific color theme, as this overrides general guidelines.