When someone you love dies, finding the right words feels almost impossible. Yet a death notice or obituary serves a vital purpose — it tells the world that a remarkable person lived, alerts friends and acquaintances to the loss, and gives those who knew them the chance to pay their respects. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from understanding the difference between a death notice and an obituary, to practical templates, publishing costs, and how to share the news online.
There is no single correct way to do this. The most important thing is that the words you choose feel true to the person you are remembering.
Death Notice vs Obituary — What's the Difference?
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they serve slightly different purposes:
What is a Death Notice?
A death notice (sometimes called a funeral notice) is a short, factual announcement that a person has died. It is typically placed by the family in a local or national newspaper, or published on an online funeral notices platform. A death notice usually contains:
- The full name (and any nicknames the person was known by)
- Date of death and, optionally, age
- Place of death (e.g. peacefully at home, or at a named hospital)
- Names of close family members who survive them
- Funeral date, time, and location (if confirmed)
- Any instructions about flowers or charitable donations
- Contact details for enquiries (often the funeral director's number)
Death notices are concise — typically 50 to 150 words — and their primary function is to inform.
What is an Obituary?
An obituary is a longer, more personal tribute to the person's life. Where a death notice announces a death, an obituary celebrates it. A full obituary might run to several hundred words and typically includes:
- A brief biography — birthplace, upbringing, education
- Career and achievements
- Personal qualities, interests, and passions
- Key relationships — spouse, children, grandchildren, close friends
- Stories or anecdotes that capture who they really were
- A note on the manner of death (optional — many families prefer to keep this private)
- Funeral arrangements and tribute information
Obituaries are published in newspapers, on memorial websites, and increasingly shared on social media. They become part of the permanent record of a person's life.
What to Include — A Practical Checklist
Whether you are writing a short death notice or a full obituary, working through this checklist will help ensure you do not miss anything important:
Essential Information
- Full legal name and any widely used nicknames or pet names
- Date of birth and date of death (and age if the family wishes to share it)
- Place of residence — the town or area where they lived
- Immediate family — who they are survived by (spouse or partner, children, grandchildren) and who predeceased them
- Funeral details — date, time, venue, and whether the service is open to all or for close family only
- Flower or donation preferences — if the family would prefer donations to a named charity in lieu of flowers, state this clearly
For a Fuller Obituary, Also Consider
- Where they were born and raised
- Schools, colleges, or universities attended
- Career history and professional achievements
- Military service, if applicable
- Community involvement — clubs, volunteering, faith communities
- Hobbies, sports, creative interests
- One or two short anecdotes that reveal their character
- A favourite quote, poem, or phrase they were known for
If you are struggling to gather information, ask family members to contribute their own memories — this can itself become a meaningful part of the grieving process.
Death Notice and Obituary Templates
Short Death Notice Template
SMITH — Margaret Anne, beloved wife of David, devoted mother of James and Claire, and cherished grandmother of four grandchildren. Passed away peacefully at home on 14th February 2026, aged 79. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. The funeral service will be held on Friday 28th February 2026 at St Mary's Church, Harrogate, at 11am, followed by interment at Harrogate Cemetery. Family flowers only; donations in Margaret's memory to Macmillan Cancer Support may be left at the service or sent c/o [Funeral Director Name], [Address].
Longer Obituary Opening Template
It is with profound sadness that the family of [Full Name] announce his/her passing on [Date], at the age of [Age]. Born in [Birthplace] on [Date of Birth], [First Name] spent much of his/her life in [Town/City], where he/she was known for [key quality or activity]. A devoted [husband/wife/parent], passionate [interest], and tireless [community role], [First Name] touched the lives of everyone he/she met...
From this opening, you might move through their life chronologically, or organise the tribute by theme — their family life, their career, their passions. There is no single right structure; choose whichever feels most natural and most true to them.
Where to Publish a Death Notice or Obituary
Local and National Newspapers
Placing a death notice in a local newspaper remains a tradition for many UK families, particularly for older generations whose friends and community connections may rely on print media. National newspapers such as The Times, The Guardian, and The Daily Telegraph publish obituaries for figures of public note, while regional titles — the Yorkshire Post, the Manchester Evening News, and hundreds of others — carry family death notices every day.
How much does a newspaper death notice cost? Costs vary widely. As of 2026, a short death notice in a regional newspaper typically costs between £50 and £200, depending on the length, the publication, and whether you include a photograph. National newspaper notices and obituaries can cost considerably more — some run to several hundred pounds for a full column. Most newspapers charge by the line or by the word, so keeping your notice concise will reduce the cost. Your funeral director will often be able to place newspaper notices on your behalf.
Online Funeral Notices
Online platforms have transformed the way families announce deaths and share tributes. Sites such as funeral-notices.co.uk allow families to publish a free or low-cost death notice that can be found by anyone searching the person's name online. The advantages of online notices include:
- They are free or very low cost compared to print advertising
- They remain accessible indefinitely — family and friends can return to them for years
- They can include photographs, longer tributes, and even video
- People can leave condolence messages, lighting a virtual candle, or sharing a memory
- They reach a far wider audience, including friends overseas who may not see a local paper
Many NAFD-accredited funeral directors will publish an online notice on your behalf as part of their service — it is worth asking when you make funeral arrangements. /find-a-funeral-director/
The Funeral Director's Own Website
Most established funeral directors publish notice pages on their own websites. These are particularly useful for sharing funeral arrangements with those who need to know the time and location of the service. If your funeral director is an NAFD member, their website will typically allow you to create a lasting tribute page alongside any practical details.
Social Media
Announcing a death on social media has become increasingly common and, for many families, feels entirely natural — particularly where the deceased was active on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Social media allows you to reach a wide network quickly, and friends and colleagues can respond with messages of condolence in real time.
Announcing a Death on Social Media — Practical Guidance
Social media can be a genuinely helpful tool during bereavement, but it is worth thinking through a few things before you post:
- Inform close family first. Before anything is posted publicly, make sure that immediate family members and closest friends have been told in person or by phone. It can be deeply distressing to learn of a loved one's death through a social media post.
- Decide who posts. Agree within the family who will be the one to make the announcement. This avoids conflicting information and keeps the messaging consistent.
- Keep the initial post simple. A brief, dignified announcement is usually most appropriate. You can share more detailed funeral information once arrangements are confirmed.
- Consider privacy settings. If the deceased had their own social media accounts, consider whether to memorialise or deactivate them. Facebook, for example, has a formal memorialisation process — a nominated Legacy Contact can manage the account after death.
- Prepare for an outpouring of responses. Messages of sympathy can come in large numbers very quickly. You are under no obligation to respond to every comment. It is perfectly acceptable to post a simple acknowledgement thanking people for their kind words.
- Share the funeral notice link. Once you have published a formal online death notice, share the link on social media so that friends and colleagues have all the information they need in one place.
Tips for Writing a Meaningful Obituary
Writing about someone you love is both a privilege and a challenge. Here are a few practical tips to help:
- Start with a single true sentence. What one thing, above all else, do you want people to know about this person? Begin there.
- Use their name, not just pronouns. Repeating a person's name throughout the tribute keeps them present and specific.
- Be specific rather than general. "She made the best apple crumble in Yorkshire" tells us more than "she was a wonderful cook."
- It does not need to be perfect. An honest, heartfelt tribute, even one that is imperfect or has a few spelling mistakes, will mean far more to readers than a polished but impersonal piece.
- Ask others to contribute. A grandchild's memory, a colleague's story, a neighbour's anecdote — gathering these pieces together creates a richer picture than any one person can paint alone.
- Proofread carefully. Before publishing, ask at least one other trusted person to read it through. Check spellings of names, dates, and the funeral venue and time especially carefully — these details matter enormously.
How a Funeral Director Can Help
If writing a death notice or obituary feels overwhelming at a time when you are already carrying so much, your funeral director is there to help. NAFD-accredited funeral directors are experienced in guiding families through every aspect of the arrangements, including drafting and placing notices. They can:
- Advise on wording and format
- Liaise with local newspapers on your behalf
- Publish online notices through established platforms
- Ensure all the practical details — venue, time, donation preferences — are accurately communicated
Because all NAFD members abide by a strict Code of Practice and are subject to independent oversight through the Funeral Arbitration Scheme, you can trust that they will handle this sensitive task with the care and professionalism it deserves.
Find an NAFD-accredited funeral director near you today. /find-a-funeral-director/
You may also find our /funeral-cost-calculator/ helpful as you plan the wider arrangements.
