Re: My mommy's article

On Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 1:56 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi, Cara-

My mom, who's also a writer, is trying to place an article somewhere and she asked me to send it along to HuffPo in case you might be interested in it for the Lifestyle section or some such thing. I owe her a favor or two, so I'm passing it along to you to ensure that it gets seen. The piece and her contact info is below. There, I've fulfilled my obligations as a son and now my mom and I are totally even.

Thanks,

Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Karen Lancaster <lancaster.karen@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 19, 2010 at 9:45 AM
Subject: For HuffPost
To: Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>

Your Last, Best Exit Strategy: Creating your own obituary

Karen Lancaster, editor at ObitWriting.com

Maybe youre a Baby Boomer part of the Me generation, still bragging about your experience at Woodstock and all. Or perhaps youre a younger achiever whos just proud of your accomplishments and wants to ensure theyre recorded for posterity. Whatever the case, you might not know that youve also become a major force in a movement thats carrying its narcissism right into the grave.

For many, controlling your individual brand, your personal image, has become the next big thing right down to writing your own obituary. Hey, its YOUR life, after all, and really who else would remember that you were the third-grade spelling bee champ or fourth runner-up in the Miss Mineola pageant? Self-obsessiveness aside, preparing your own obituary is a distinctly significant gift to your survivors, as well. Not only will you be leaving behind a piece thats ready for publication, but it can also serve as a guideline for eulogies, documentation for genealogy records, and perhaps even as a catalyst for future family history buffs.

There are many services around who will write a professional obituary for you, or you can easily do it yourself. Dont know how to begin? Here are a few quick tips to get you started:

·         Begin with the facts. Date and place of birth, education. Add names of family members, who has predeceased, who is surviving.

·         Fill in the fun stuff. What you are most proud of accomplishments, organizations, hobbies.

·         Focus on the complete life, not just the ending years. Instead of acknowledging doctors and nursing home helpers, talk about those classes or professors who first influenced your career. Or the wonderful trips and activities you enjoyed with friends.

·         Pick your favorite photo to accompany the obituary. Have it on file with the finished piece and copy the attorney whos handling your will.

See how easy it can be? Why not start now it could turn out to be the most enjoyable part of your estate planning process.

Karen Lancaster is a freelance writer and the editor of ObitWriting.com, a professional obituary preparation service. With over 20 years experience ranging from magazine feature writing and online editing to creating executive profiles and nationally published marketing content, her previous client list has included AOL lifestyle guides, Meredith Publishing/Better Homes and Gardens books, Conde Nast websites, Meadowbrook Press family/gift books and Blockbuster.com entertainment sections. For more information, contact her at karen@obitwriting.com.