Dating back to the 18th-century, in England, America and Australia, obituaries seemed to have gone in and out of fashion, perhaps in line with media outlets’ budgets. What is divulged and the writing styles have also varied, with Americans more likely to be frank and colourful. As Nigel Starck (whose doctoral studies covered many aspects of obituaries) noted in The Canberra Times [Panorama], August 24, 2002, American newsrooms are better resourced and they often receive payment for obituaries where families and friends spend large sums on these columns. … Read more.
