Why major newspapers keep thousands of prewritten obituaries for people who are still alive
In short: Journalism's quietest corner has become a high-stakes race. Major publications now maintain massive reservoirs of advance obituaries, meticulously updated for decades to ensure that when a notable figure dies, a polished, authoritative account is ready for instant publication. It is a strange, necessary dance between life and the deadline.
The practice of preparing 'advance' obituaries allows news organizations to meet the intense public demand for information that follows the death of a prominent figure. As of 2021, The New York Times maintained a reservoir of approximately 1,850 such pieces. Other outlets are similarly prepared: The Washington Post held about 900, while The Hollywood Reporter kept 800 on file. This shift reflects a broader trend where publications have invested significant resources into these articles to ensure rapid, high-quality coverage in the digital age.
These documents are rarely static. For major figures, the work can span decades. The New York Times began drafting an obituary for Fidel Castro in 1959, constantly revising it to reflect his evolving influence and even updating the digital presentation to match advancements in internet speeds. Similarly, the paper’s obituary for Queen Elizabeth II was rewritten in its entirety multiple times from her days as heir apparent until her death in 2022. The process is so intensive that Bill McDonald, an obituaries editor, once estimated the Castro piece consumed more labor hours than any other article the paper had ever produced.
The logistical challenge is compounded by the fact that the subject sometimes outlives the author. The New York Times' obituary for Elizabeth Taylor was written by theater critic Mel Gussow, who died in 2005, six years before Taylor. In other instances, the obituary is never needed, or the subject dies unexpectedly, leaving journalists to scramble. While editors generally assign advances to those who are elderly or lead complex lives, they occasionally prepare them for younger individuals facing health struggles, such as the advance obituary once held for Amy Winehouse.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Obituary
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