necrology

Necrology is the study and recording of deaths, typically in the form of lists of individuals who have died within a defined community or field over a given period. In journalism and publishing, necrology is closely associated with obituaries and death notices, but the term can also describe the practice of compiling biographical notices about recently deceased persons. Some usages distinguish between the obituary, a public notice or tribute, and the necrology, a more archival or scholarly record.

Etymology: The word derives from Greek nekros, meaning dead, and logia, meaning discourse or study. The term entered English in the early modern period and remains in use in libraries, archives, and scholarly journals to identify compilations of obituaries and memorial notices.

Forms and content: Necrologies appear as obituary notices in newspapers, memorial articles in journals, or dedicated necrology sections within professional associations. Typical entries include the deceased's name, dates of birth and death, affiliations, notable achievements, and sometimes a brief biographical note or bibliography. In academic contexts, necrology often emphasizes contributions to a field and may provide sources for further reading.

Historical usage: In medieval and early modern religious institutions, necrologies were ledgers or rolls kept to ensure prayers for the dead and to record donations. With the rise of modern journalism and scholarly publishing, necrology has become a systematic part of annual reports and periodicals, serving both memorial and documentary functions and helping preserve institutional memory.

See also: obituary, death notice, memorial article, memorial service, martyrology.