We have all read at least one obituary in our lives and many of us have had to write one. Most obituaries follow an unspoken format, but not all. The recent obituary for Mississippi resident Antonia “Toni” Larroux is an example of how an obituary can truly be more than just a somber look back at someone’s life.
Toni Larroux died in April of this year. Her obituary, written by her two surviving children, has captured national attention for its tongue-and-cheek approach to what is typically a very serious task. The obituary starts by saying that “Waffle House lost a loyal customer.” The first sentence should give you a fairly good idea of how the remainder of the obituary flows.
Her children started to write a traditional obituary, but then realized that their mother would “be ashamed” of something so serious and depressing. So, the two children wrote a humorous obituary, even making fun of the possibility that they have long lost sibling based on “multiple, anonymous Mother’s Day cards which arrived each May.” The obituary pokes fun at their parents’ marriage, their mother’s health, and even their mother’s cheap Dollar General patio furniture.
Toward the end, the obituary does provide information regarding the service to be held for their mother; however, they refer to the reverend who will be officiating as “a questionable choice for any spiritual event.” While a humorous obituary may not be for everyone, Larroux’s does point out the purpose of an obituary – to honor and remember the deceased in a way that they would appreciate.
Stephen A. Mendel, Estate Planning Attorney
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