What Will They Say in Your Obituary… and Did You Write It Yourself?

Let’s be honest—thinking about your own obituary might sound a little weird.

But what if it wasn’t?

What if writing your own legacy note was less about the end and more about celebrating the life you’re living now?

Whether you want to leave behind a heartfelt letter, a poetic summary of your adventures, or a few one-liners only your best friend would understand, there’s something kind of empowering about putting it in your own words.

In fact, it might be the most you thing you ever write.

Why Would Anyone Write Their Own Obituary?

Well, for starters: no one knows your story better than you do.

Maybe you want your people to laugh a little. Maybe you want them to know how much they meant to you. Or maybe you just want to make sure they remember that one time you danced barefoot at your own wedding reception after your shoes broke. (Yes, that really happened.)

Writing your own tribute, QR code bio, or farewell note lets you:

• Set the tone (humorous, heartfelt, or somewhere in between)

• Highlight the moments that really mattered

• Share the weird facts no one else would think to mention (like your childhood obsession with frogs or your world-class pancake skills)

  
  

It’s also a beautiful way to make peace, give thanks, and reflect while you're still here.

Real-Life Legacy, Real-Life Words

Here are a few real (and real-ish) examples that people have left behind:

“She never met a cat she didn’t like, or a pizza she wouldn’t eat at 2AM.”

“He was a master of dad jokes, wore socks with sandals proudly, and loved his family fiercely.”

“I tried my best. I loved hard.”

You don’t have to be a poet. You just have to be honest.

Where Does It Go?

(Hint: It Doesn’t Have to Be a Newspaper)

Modern memorials—like QR code plaques and digital legacy pages—make it easy to include your own words in a permanent, shareable, and even interactive way.

When you write your own obituary, you can upload it to a memorial website, add it to a memory video, or have it live behind a scannable QR code so loved ones can read it at your memorial bench, garden, or headstone.

Tools like Memorial Tribute Legacy (MTL) make this process smooth. We help you turn your note into something timeless and tangible—whether it’s part of a tribute site, a QR code plaque, or a legacy journal you leave behind.

A historical and local cemetery in Salvo, North Carolina.

Ready to Write Yours?

Here’s a simple starter prompt:

“If your great-grandchild found this note one day, what do you want them to know about you—not the polished version, but the real version?”

Grab a journal. Or a napkin. Or open your Notes app. Just start.

One paragraph. One sentence. Even a list of things you loved. It's all part of your story.

You Get to Tell It

Whether it’s heartfelt, funny, or a little bit of both, writing your own obituary or bio is about taking ownership of your story. You’ve lived it. You’ve earned it. And you get to tell it.

Because when the time comes… your people shouldn’t have to guess who you were.

They’ll already know—because you told them yourself.

Want help getting started? Explore our digital legacy services or QR code plaques at Memorial Tribute Legacy. We make it easy to share your story, your way.