In America, one corner that consistently appears when you open a newspaper or local news site is the 'Obituary'.

It is a piece that conveys the news of someone's passing, but it does not merely announce the death; it carries a short biography that tells the story of that person's life. In the past, it was written by a journalist who directly covered the story or by family members who contacted the newspaper to submit the manuscript.

In American communities, newspaper obituaries served as a window to learn about neighbors. Everyone accessed information about who had passed away, when the funeral would be held, and what kind of life they lived through the newspaper. In smaller towns, obituaries were considered a form of 'community record'. Back then, since most media was in print, having a name in the newspaper obituary was seen as a kind of social courtesy.

However, the culture of obituaries has changed significantly these days. With the rise of the internet and social media, obituaries have become digital, and online memorial pages have become the norm instead of newspapers. For example, sites like Legacy.com allow family members to write directly and upload photos so that they can be viewed from anywhere in the world.

Funeral homes also open online guestbooks along with the deceased's obituary on their own websites. Even if people cannot visit in person, they can leave messages or send flowers, allowing them to remember together in an online memorial space. Especially after COVID-19, these online obituaries have become even more common. Even when family or friends cannot gather, acquaintances scattered around the world can mourn with just one link.

What used to be a small piece in the corner of a newspaper has now become a warmer story with photo slideshows, videos, and music. Another change is in the content of the obituaries. In the past, most were information-centered, written in formal sentences stating 'when, where, and at what age the person passed away', but now they focus on 'who that person was'.

There are more personal stories about hobbies, humor, personality, and memories with family, and sometimes the deceased even leaves behind a 'self-obituary' written during their lifetime. It is a way of preparing a final farewell while organizing their life. In America, this autobiographical style of obituary is sometimes seen as a symbol of dignity and self-expression.

On the other hand, print newspaper obituaries still hold significance. For the middle-aged and older generations who subscribe to local newspapers, they still provide a sense of 'official record'. In fact, many newspapers charge for publishing obituaries, with costs determined by the word count. For example, under 300 words might cost several hundred dollars, and there are additional fees for including photos. Nevertheless, families still choose to publish newspaper obituaries. It feels like a ritual to announce the end of an era to the world.

Koreans living in America typically announce obituaries through local funeral homes, churches, or Korean newspapers. In the past, it was common to place obituary ads in Korean newspapers in areas like New York or LA, but these days, many share the news through KakaoTalk group chats or church community texts. When the deceased's name is registered on the funeral home website, they may share the link to leave memorial messages, and it is also common to post obituary notices on Facebook to inform those who are still connected.