Sam Roberts discussed the purpose of newspaper obituaries during an appearance on PBS NewsHour to promote his new book, “Are They Dead Yet?”
The conversation highlights a shift in how journalists approach the end of life, moving away from clinical death announcements toward narrative storytelling. This approach seeks to preserve the essence of a person's character for future generations.
Roberts is a longtime obituary writer for the New York Times. Throughout his career, he has written 1,600 obituaries [1]. During the interview with Geoff Bennett, Roberts said that the primary goal of the form is to tell a person's story rather than simply announcing that they have died.
His new book explores the history and evolution of the newspaper obituary. Roberts said that the form is uniquely suited to capture the lives of ordinary people, not just the famous, by distilling a lifetime of experience into a concise narrative.
The discussion focused on the technical and emotional challenges of the craft. Roberts said how the process involves uncovering the small, human details that define a person's legacy. By focusing on these elements, the writer can create a portrait that resonates with readers regardless of the subject's social status.
This philosophy views the obituary as a historical record. Roberts said the goal is to ensure that the narrative of a life is captured accurately and with depth, serving as a bridge between the deceased and the living.
“Obituaries are meant to tell a person’s story, not just announce death.”
The focus on narrative obituaries reflects a broader trend in journalism to humanize archival records. By treating the obituary as a short-form biography rather than a death notice, writers transition the medium from a tool of notification to a tool of cultural preservation, ensuring that the contributions of non-public figures are documented.
