An Obituary Writing Workshop
About the workshop
Every person’s life includes many events, stories and lessons learned.
We often assume our loved ones know more about these important happenings than they
actually do. Then, when it comes time to write our obituary, they find they have more
questions than answers.
This two-session workshop will support you as you reflect on the events and stories that make your life special—and help you answer some of those questions.
Testimonial
“Thank you for prompting this project. It was so weirdly enlightening and revelatory.
Unexpected & awesome!”
—Cinzia, Portland, Oregon
Details
We will meet for two one-hour classes.
In Session 1, we will look at various styles of obituaries, explore our own memories and do pre-writing exercises.
*** Our goal is to generate ideas in Session 1 to use between sessions to write a draft obit. You will be invited to bring that draft obit to Session 2.***
In Session 2, we will talk about how the process went, invite you to share your draft obit, troubleshoot challenges and talk about next steps.
Availability
Please contact me for group or individual pricing and to determine a time that works for both or all of us!
Investment
Fee includes one-year subscriptions to my weekly Sandwich Season newsletter, where I explore the burdens and blessings of life in the sandwich generation — in the hopes of encouraging others in similar seasons.
Why now?
Writing an obituary before it is needed offers an opportunity to gather information and reflect without anyone needing to rush. You might be surprised what you discover about yourself!
A completed obit can be used in newspapers, online sites and memorial service programs. Plus it can be printed off as a keepsake for friends and family.
Who is the workshop facilitator?
Sarah Coomber is a published memoir writer (The Same Moon, Camphor Press, 2020) and professional communicator whose background includes work in public relations, journalism, creative writing and science writing.
She has taught writing classes at the college level and English to junior high school students in Japan, and has a master’s degrees in mass communication and in creative writing. She currently writes the Sandwich Season blog about life in the sandwich generation and leads yoga classes at the Touchmark retirement community and the YMCA in Fargo, North Dakota.
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Sarah Coomber 