I Volunteer As Tribute!

This famous line from the 2012 film ‘The Hunger Games’ references the historic practice of giving something of value to a ruler as tribute. In the film (based on the book of the same name) the ‘tribute’ is a teenage boy or girl who takes part in a brutal competition in which the winner receives food and riches for themselves and their district.

In the film, Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute in place of her younger sister who had been selected for the competition.

So enough about the film and the book series, the reason that I mention the Hunger Games here is to explain this alternative meaning of the word 'tribute'.

On Tributize, when we talk about 'Paying Tribute' we mean giving thanks, showing respect and paying homage to the important people in our lives - and you don't need to fight to the death to do that. Words will suffice!

If you search on Google for the phrase 'Pay Tribute'  you will find millions of results.  

…Tributes to Amy Winehouse poured in from fellow celebrities in statements and posts on Twitter…

  …Friends and family of the victims paid tribute to their loved ones on Facebook…

  …Tributes pour in for Chirac, a 'great statesman' who  loved Europe

and typically, these tributes are for people who have died recently. So the broadest use of the term tribute is for a memorial tribute - also known as a eulogy.

A memorial tribute is typically read at a funeral and often published online so that those who could not attend in person, or who would like to add their comments later, can read the tribute and respond if they wish.

An obituary tends to be shorter and more factual, and was traditionally published in a local newspaper so that friends of the deceased who had not received the news would be informed via the obituary. The typical form of an obituary is:

John Bryan Smith 

November 14, 1923 – January 13, 2020 

John B. Smith loving husband of Jane Smith and father of Ann, Bobby and Clint, passed away on January 13, 2020 in Chicago, IL after a short illness.

He is survived by his daughter Ann, and sons Bobby and Clint.

Memorial services will be performed at West Paths Cemetery on January 17 2020 at 3:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made in John's name to The Tribute Charity