What belongs in an obituary?
An obituary can be brief. The essentials are usually the person's name, death information, a few details that locate their life, close family if the family wants them named, and service details if they are public. A longer obituary can add stories, work, interests, faith, community life and the qualities people remember.
What if the family is complicated?
You are not required to turn an obituary into a complete genealogy. Include what is true, appropriate and agreed by the people responsible for the notice. When relationships are sensitive, simple wording is often kinder than trying to explain every connection.
Read it aloud before publishing. Awkward repetition, accidental omissions and wording that sounds too formal are easier to notice when you hear the piece spoken.