Reflection on Reading Newspaper Obituaries

When it comes to the newspaper, I notice a very prominent trend in young, old and adult readers.


Only the old people consistently read the newspaper obituaries. The other age group do not. Probably the young people do not even know that newspaper obituaries exist.

Many young readers ignore the world news, financial news, and local news. They pay attention to sports and celebrities news.

The adult readers probably scan the newspaper headings. Those who are financially savvy will read the financial and stock news. Those car lovers or apartment hunters will scan the classified and arrange for viewing. They hardly read the newspaper obituaries.

I, for one, am not old enough to have a strong interest in reading newspaper obituaries. My mother makes it a habit to read the newspaper obituaries. Happily or unhappily, she manages to find friends appearing in the newspaper obituaries a few times a year.

If anyone asks me to name a sign of old age, I would definitely say that “reading newspaper obituaries” is one important sign.

When you feel that you need to read newspaper obituaries, and that you manage to find your friends or acquaintances appearing in newspaper obituaries, that means you are not that young anymore.

Once someone called. The first question was, “did you read the newspaper today?”

Yes, of course. It is my habit to read the newspaper, at least to scan the headlines and to know what’s happening around the world.

The second question was, “did you know that xxx passed away?”

No, I did not. Of all the pages in the newspaper, the newspaper obituaries is a section I never read. I don’t expect to see any of my friends there. If my relatives pass away, I will know. There is no need to read the newspaper obituaries to find out what happen to my uncles or aunts.

Maybe forty years later, I will start to read newspaper obituaries, in anticipation that those who were my classmates, my colleagues or acquaintances appeared in the newspaper obituaries.

Now it is plainly a waste of time to read newspaper obituaries. I guess it’s the hobby of the retirees to read that part of the newspaper, and spend hours telling their children about so-and-so who has just passed away.

Another funny thing I notice about old people reading newspaper obituaries is the attention to details. They seem very curious to know how many children were married, how many grandchildren were there etc.

Frankly speaking, this is none of their businesses.

They seem to think that a person who passed away, leaving behind ten children, one hundred grandchildren and one thousand great-grandchildren had a very good life.

I do not see what is the logic. Having a big family does not mean having the love of every one in the big family. After all, many old folks end up leading a very lonely life. The richer ones probably have maid to keep them company. The poorer ones probably spend years in the Home, and their big family visit them once a month or once a year.

I cannot believe how anyone can assume that the old folk who has many descendants will automatically feel happy and satisfied with life. The bigger the family, the more longer the list of names in the newspaper obituary notice.

The cost of the wake and funeral can split among all the children. There will be more people coming to the wake to pay the last respect. Many old people believe that is a good way to leave the Earth. I do not see the logic of the thinking.

Whatever it is, reading newspaper obituaries is the pastime of the old folks.