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Ann Wrote is the co-author of The Economist Book of Obituaries

There’s a fine art to a good obituary. Each entry is like a short story where everyone knows the ending, but when done well, it’s the kind of story that can take up half a dinner party.

Last night the obituary was celebrated at New York Public Library. Ann Wroe, editor of the world famous Obituary section for the Economist was one of the speakers at the event. She’s had the final words on the lives of everyone from playwright Arthur Miller to celebrity Anna Nicole Smith to typewriter enthusiast Martin Tytell. She says the best obits both get at the essence of the subject’s life and make you feel completely alive after reading them.

An excerpt from last night’s conversation:

The entire discussion, featuring obit lovers Marilyn Johnson, Daniel Okrent and Ann Wroe, instigated by the NYPL’s Paul Holdengräber:

After the conversation, Carole Robbins from Hell’s Kitchen and Steve Halpern from White Plains (above) were delighted. They had just met a few days ago, and found the lecture to be a great way to get to know each other better.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on what brings life to a good obituary. Should salacious details be left out in this final treatment? What about the cause of death?