Writing Style and Verb tense for Death Notice

Question

What is the particular style of writing, verb tense, mood etc you should use when informing people of a death?

Below is one example, and the verb tense more than anything appears different from a standard written piece. Can anyone shed some light on this topic for me, particularly in terms of verb tenses and style? Thanks a lot

With a great deal of sadness, we advise members that John and Mary Smith's son David passed away suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday.

David grew up in the Incs (company name) family with the Smith's being foundation members of the Incs. He was a builder by trade and was responsible for the fitout of John’s new store in Rushmore several years ago which set a benchmark for other conversions and fitouts throughout the company.

Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Smith family

A service for David will be held at date at place.

Messages for the Smith family can be sent to 112 George Street, Antarctica.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Sorry, but I don't see any peculiar verb tenses or style (beyond the serious formality).  Which parts draw your attention?

English 1b3 · Answer

I don't understand why the simple present is used in a. The simple present has many uses, but I don't know which use this fits under. I didn't think you could use the simple present to speak of something happening as you write it, because by the time you write it, the action is complete. Are verbs such as advise an exception?

And why do we advise 'members', rather than 'you'? Maybe the writer is telling someone else who they are advising.

With a great deal of sadness, we advise members that John and Mary Smith's son David passed away suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday.

Are the members extending these feelings without having the choice, or does 'our' not include the 'members'?

Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Smith family

Mister Micawber · Answer

I don't understand why the simple present is used in a. The simple present has many uses, but I don't know which use this fits under. I didn't think you could use the simple present to speak of something happening as you write it, because by the time you write it, the action is complete. Are verbs such as advise an exception?-- Don't you think that this is quite the same as a business notice? — 'The Board of Directors invites all shareholders to the AGM...' 'ABC Company wishes to extend an invitation to all retailers in the greater Los Angeles area...', etc.

And why do we advise 'members', rather than 'you'? Maybe the writer is telling someone else who they are advising.-- See above examples. Merely more formal in the 3rd person without personal pronouns.

Are the members extending these feelings without having the choice, or does 'our' not include the 'members'?-- Conceptually, it refers to 'other members' if the writer is a member, or to regular members if the writer is an executive or corporate entity. The condolences are offered by the organization on behalf of its membership.

English 1b3 · Answer

How did you get to be so smart, MM.

So how would you explain this particular usage of the present simple? It's not being used to talk about a habit or a fact or generalisation, but rather it is being used...

The wording sounds natural to me; it's just I realised it uses the simple present in a way that I haven't learned about (if that makes any sense)

Thanks

Mister Micawber · Answer

I had to dig in to Leech's Meaning and the English Verb to come up with some terms:

It's not being used to talk about a habit or a fact or generalisation, but rather it is being used (and I quote)..."as instantaneous present for performative verbs. Here the event and the act of speech are simultaneous simply because they are identical. Some everyday examples: I beg your pardon, we accept your offer, I deny your charge, I say that you are wrong."

I think our verbs fit well into this classification: we advise members, we extend condolences, the BOD invites shareholders, ABC wishes to extend an invitation. In fact, I now see that the footnote to the section reads "the performative acts discussed here are similar to expressions of wishes and condolences".

Writing Style and Verb tense for Death Notice

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