necrologies

Necrology is the record or study of those who have died within a particular community, organization, or field. In many contexts, a necrology is a compiled list of deceased members, sometimes accompanied by brief biographical notes, dates, and affiliations. The term can also refer to the writing of such memorial notices.

Forms of necrology appear in church rosters, university almanacs, professional societies, and scholarly journals. It may be published as a dedicated section in a periodical, as a year-end list, or as part of a memorial volume. The necrology differs from an obituary in that it emphasizes record-keeping for a group rather than a single public notice; an obituary tends to tell the life story of one person for a broad audience, while necrology often serves institutional memory.

Entries typically include the deceased's name, dates of birth and death, age, and notable roles or achievements; some necrologies also mention contributions to the organization, positions held, publications, or family survivors. Privacy and sensitivity considerations apply, and practice varies by institution and jurisdiction.

Origin and usage: The word derives from Greek nekros, meaning "dead," and logos, meaning "study" or "account." Historically associated with churches, monasteries, and academic bodies, necrology remains a common form of memorial documentation in modern institutions. See also obituary, obituary writing, and memorial lists.