Globe and Mail obituary writer wins top awards at this year’s ObitCon

There’s ComicCon, and there’s also ObitCon, an event attended by a group of obituary writers, readers, and funeral directors. Those who attend ObitCon are members of the Society of Professional Obituary Writers.

Every two years, the society honours excellence in obituary writing with The Grimmys. Reporters and editors from all over the world submit entries to the contest, which are then blind-judged by a panel of society members. 

Trophies were awarded at this year’s ObitCon in Washington DC.

The Alana Baranick Award For Lifetime Achievement in Obituary Writing was presented to Tom Hawthorn from Toronto’s Globe and Mail. The award is named for the society’s late co-founder. Awarded every two years, this Grimmy is given to one journalist who has shown excellence in the field.

The other Grimmy award winners at ObitCon were:

Best long form obit: Aretha Franklin 
Written by Hillel Italie, AP

Best short form obit (under 800 words): Sarkis Tashjian
Written by Maureen O’Donnell, Chicago Sun-Times

Best obit of an ordinary Joe/Jane: Ian Jordan
Written by Tom Hawthorn, Globe and Mail

Obituary writer of the year: Harrison Smith, Washington Post.

The winning obituaries and others from ObitCon are excellent examples of how to write the story of someone’s life.