What the Obituaries Tell Us

John always reads the obituaries—so he says--and then, not finding his name listed among the deceased, decides he is still alive and well, therefore, has to get up and go to work.   Right!

On the serious side, do you ever read the obituaries?  Janice Hume, an assistant journalism professor at Kansas State University, reads them.  In fact, her doctoral dissertation is based on a study of obituaries over the past couple hundred years and how they reveal something of our values.  In the 1800s, says Dr. Hume, obituaries focused on the character of the person and his relationships.  But in the 20th century, the focus is on the accomplishments of the deceased—his wealth, his family connections, and what he did as opposed to what he was.