How to read/interpret ‘Obituary’ ads
Well, the other day I was at my friends place.
One woman said to my friend’s brother (Roy) who is around 37.
‘Tum azunui kazar zaunk na mista’ (I think you are not married yet).
‘Why, why, what made you say that?’ Roy responded nervously.
‘Sorry, I assumed you are a bachelor because you Mother’s obituary
ad mentioned the names of all sons and daughters along with
their spouses except your name (which was on it’s own).’
Fyi (Readers), Roy is infact still a bachelor.
Ok, let us see what else one can find out about the deceased and
their immediate family members from a typical obituary ad
(ad announcing death and funeral).
In any obituary ad, there are 3 main parts:
The details of the deceased (Full name, date of birth etc).
Family details such as father/mother/spouse /brothers/sisters/inlaws etc.
Funeral details such as church, burial, time and place.
Optional: Nature of death whether died peacefully or under tragic circumstances
etc
Let’s take a few examples of typical obituary ads (death/funeral announcement):
I
DEATH
(Space for Photo)
Born: 10.10.1947 Died 8/6/2009
Joao Piedade Inacio Loyola Pinhero
Agassaim-Mercurim
Son of late Agustin and late Rosalina, beloved husband of Jenny.
Loving father of Johny, Jacob. Brother/brother-in-law of
Caitan/Ana Maria, Pedro Francis/Maia Ana (UK) Ermelina/Dioginho (Canada)
& Magdalena/Jose Luis (Kuwait)
Expired peacefully on 8th June 2009.
Funeral cortège will leave his residence 10th June (Tomorrow) at 11 am
to St. Lawrence Church for Eucharistic Celebration followed by burial.
Relatives and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation
II
LORD I AM COMING HOME
(Foto)
Conceicao Maria Magdalena Fernandes e Figueredo
(Cansaulim-Arossim)
Born: 26/9/26 Died 7/6/09
Relict of Caintan Filipe Figueredo. Loving mother/mother-in-law of
Jose Francis/Carmelina, Roque Santan/Laxmi and Maria Feliz.
Sister/Sister-in-law of Rafael/Maggie, Luiza/Agnelo, Braz/Sandra,
Mathias/Sumitilda, Eularia/Isidor, Ritina/Ansussao, Adelin/Inacio
and Trindade/Paskina
Expired after a brief illness.
Funeral cortege will leave her residence TODAY 3pm to St. Thomas
Church for mass and burial.
Relatives and friends kindly accept this as the only intimation
III
DEATH
(Foto)
Antonio Marcus Vaz
(Provorim D Colony)
Born: 12.12.81 Died 5/6/09
Beloved son of Melitao and late Leucadia, brother/brother-in-law
of Louis/Agnes, Rosita/Kulvinder and Bosco.
Expired under tragic circumstances on 5/6/09.
There will be a prayer services at the residence ‘Santa Monica Apartments’
followed by burial near College, Mapusa. TODAY at 3pm.
Friends and relatives kindly accept this as only intimation.
Now, let us see how once can read and interpret each of the above examples.
I
Going thru the ad, one will the following:
- Joao Piedade was 62, Agassaim, Married
- Has wife and children
- Both parents expired
- Both sons not married yet?
- All brothers/sisters married, settled in Uk, Canada, Kuwait
- Died peacefully or after a brief illness (died of cancer, AIDS, stroke etc)
II
- Coinsao Marie aged 86 from Cansaulim
- Husband died first
- Has two sons (both married but one married to non-Christian or Hindu) and a
daughter (Spinster?)
- 9 in all - Has 4 brothers and 4 sisters, all married
III
- Antonio Marcus, 28, unmarried and from Porvorim
- Has father (mother died)
- Has two brothers one is bachelor
- Has one sister, married to a non-christian or sikh
- Died in an accident (may be road accident, drowning, murdered, suicide etc)
- Why there is no mention of Church? It is assumed that the family belonging to
a certain religious sect
Now, some of you may wish to know how I would like my own obituary ad?
Will it be..
(these are some of the actual one liners seen in the ad)
Death ? or
Retun to the Lord? or
Lord I am coming home
United with the Lord
Lord I am coming to heavenly abode
Gone to the Lord
Lord, here I come
Returned back to the Lord
Gone to His Eternal abode
Moved Residence to the Lord’s Home
Born to Eternal life
Lord You called me, here I am
No, none of the above.
Infact, mine will be simple and in my own mother tongue.
(A draft already kept ready only thing they will have to insert the dates).
It’s going to be like this..
DEVAN DILEM ANI DEVANUCH VELEM
(Foto)
JoeGoaUk (real name comes here)
Zolmolo: 10/10/1947 Ontorlo: (date of Expiry to be inserted here)
Put (Maimcho and Paicho – real names of parents come here)
Bapui (dogam putamcho – Two sons’ name come here)
(Wife name not to come here or else readers will find out I was married to
non-Goan)
Vigorz/Ximiter: (Probably Moira or Aldona, as we are likely to move there soon.
Fyi, we change residence every two years)
IXTTANK, SOIRE-DAIRIEANK HI EKUCH KOLLOVNNIM
(Strictly, no one will be intimated individually)
==
Besides, following are some of the instructions giv
