It’s not unusual to see obit photos that include a pet with the deceased owner.Ī couple of years ago, an obit ran in the Atlanta paper that included the deceased’s “multi-decade sweetheart” as well as “his devoted friend,” the girlfriend who preceded the sweetheart.
Obits now also often include devoted caregivers, life-long friends, fellow travelers and even pets. I’ve also seen children’s obituaries – the very hardest to write, I’m sure – that mention being survived by “two moms” or “two dads.” Their heartbreak is no less worth recognition just because they are gay – and that happens to be the reality for many children growing up in this century. And why shouldn’t they be recognized for their devotion, commitment and the life that was shared? With all the grieving and sadness at hand, it’s a painful time to inflict further hurt. Now it is routine for a deceased's partner to be identified as such, just as spouses are included. These days obit protocol is going the way of the rest of the world and what’s acceptable: pretty much anything goes.Ī breakthrough came as attitudes have evolved about gay individuals and their families. Not too long ago, obituary mentions were generally limited to next of kin and blood relatives. Among the many decisions to make when a loved one has died is one that is full of potential missteps, unintentional omissions and political ramifications within the family: who should be included as survivors in the published obituary?
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