Not to make light of a somber situation, but my mother-in-law passed away last week after a lengthy illness.  The family, knowing that I am some sort of "quasi" writer, of course pegged me with the task of writing her obituary.  It was my pleasure and a privilege to honor her. As an aside, we think it is difficult to tell a story in a ten page "short" script - try squeezing a ninety year lifespan into about five paragraphs. Daunting to say the least.  

To my point though, in speaking with the funeral director the next day, he mentioned that mine was one of the best obituaries he had ever read and asked if I might be interested in a job writing obituaries for the funeral home.  I gently turned him down with the fact that I had another "day job", but thanked him nonetheless.  

I think the take away here is that just when you are feeling like you may never be hired for a writing job, one might just turn up. LOL .  I'm not sure how it would look on a resume but at least I know I have something to fall back on if the wolf is ever at the door.

Another take away is that there is always humor present, even on the saddest days.  Thought you guys might get a kick out of this. Thanks for letting me share.  :)

Had to write my Father's Eulogy a few years ago, best and hardest thing I've ever written.

Glad the Funeral Director recognised your talent.

The right people will always discover the talent. It’s the waiting that sucks.

First of all, condolences.



I tell every young person I can to "learn to write" no matter their area of interest. There is good money to made writing professionally. Combining a specific area of expertise with writing skills will make you extremely valuable.

I doubt there's much money in writing obituaries, but it'd be a first step to bigger things, if you wanted to write for a living.

Either way, it's cool to be recognized, yes?

Potential for a dark comedy here. A death-obsessed and unpublished writer goes around killing people so he can write their obituary.

Off to kill my mother-in-law, if I had one.

This seems like it would be kind of a cool job (although understandably I doubt loved ones would give you much creative freedom). If my career-job wasn't well paying, I'd probably consider it.

Sorry about MIL.

Quoted from Robert Timsah Potential for a dark comedy here. A death-obsessed and unpublished writer goes around killing people so he can write their obituary. Off to kill my mother-in-law, if I had one.

Robert - absolutely brilliant!  Now why didn’t I think of that angle.  :)

I wrote a bday short once. My friend asked me to write a short for her husband's bday and there was no guidance given since she didn't really know what she wanted.
So I decided to go for a comedy, capitalized on their differences and it came out a very nice short. I was happy to see very good acting by all involved. Her and their friends never acted before and had to perform for it.
And, my friend was so thankful!
A really rewarding experience.

Hey kcranford,

I have to admit that writing Obituaries is definitely a "dead end job", though the best part is that none of the people that you are writing about, will ever complain.

Sorry for your loss...

But the silver lining was your talent showing through. Even though sad times, it was indeed a compliment. And like someone said earlier.... an idea for a story!