Funeral QuestionsHow Do You Write a Funeral Notice?
Last updated 4 July 2026 · 5 min read
Direct Answer
A funeral notice (sometimes called a death notice) is a brief, formal announcement, typically 50 to 150 words, that tells people someone has died and gives the practical details they need: the person's full name, age, key family relationships, and the date, time, and place of the service. Keep the tone simple and dignified rather than descriptive; save the person's life story for the obituary or the eulogy. Most funeral directors will draft or help edit the notice as part of their service, and it's usually published within a day or two of the death so family and friends have time to plan to attend.
Detailed Explanation
A funeral notice does one job: it tells people someone has died and gives them what they need to attend the service, or to acknowledge the loss if they can't. See the Obituaries & Funeral Notices hub for how this fits alongside the obituary and eulogy. It isn't the place to tell the person's whole story: that's what an obituary or a eulogy is for, so keep it brief and let those other pieces carry the fuller picture. (This page is written for the announcement itself. For the longer life-story piece, see how to write an obituary; for the spoken tribute delivered at the service, see how to write a eulogy.)
What to include
A clear, complete funeral notice typically covers, in this order:
- Full name of the person who died, including any name they were commonly known by ("John (Jack) Smith").
- Age, and sometimes their suburb, town, or a phrase like "of Bendigo" that locates them for the community.
- Date of death, and sometimes the circumstances in general terms ("passed away peacefully" or "died suddenly"), kept simple rather than descriptive. If the death was a suicide, overdose, or another cause carrying stigma, see how do you write an obituary after a suicide or sensitive death for wording that protects the family while avoiding language that stigmatises.
- Key family relationships: spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, as the family chooses to acknowledge them. There's no obligation to list everyone; families decide what feels right, including how to handle blended families, estrangement, or relationships that don't fit a standard template.
- Service details: date, time, venue, and whether it's open to the public or private/family-only. Add parking or livestream information here if relevant.
- Requests: flowers or donations in lieu (name the charity), dress code if there's one, or an RSVP request for catering purposes.
Wording that works
Funeral notices favour plain, formal language over flowery description. A working example:
SMITH, John (Jack). Passed away peacefully on 2 June 2026, aged 78 years, of Bendigo. Beloved husband of Margaret, loving father of Sarah and Michael, cherished grandfather of five. Jack's funeral service will be held at St Andrew's Church, Bendigo, on Friday 6 June at 11am, followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bendigo Cancer Foundation would be appreciated. All welcome.
Notice how little of Jack's actual life appears here: that's intentional. The notice's job is done once someone reading it knows who died, how to reach the family if they wish, and where and when to be if they want to attend.
Where funeral notices are published
Most families publish in a local or state newspaper, and increasingly on funeral home websites and the notice's own dedicated online page, which functions well as a page to share by text or social media. Many publish in more than one place: a newspaper notice for the wider community and an online notice that's easier to share directly. Your funeral director can typically arrange placement in the publications your family uses. See how much does it cost to publish an obituary or funeral notice for typical pricing across print and online options.
Things to Consider
- There's no obligation to publish one at all. Some families choose a private funeral with no public notice, notifying only close family and friends directly. This is entirely valid, particularly for a small or private service.
- Decide on wording as a family where relationships are complicated. Who's listed, in what order, and how step-family or estranged relationships are handled are common points of quiet disagreement, so settling this calmly beforehand avoids a painful surprise for someone reading the notice.
- Proofread names and dates carefully before submitting. Notices are usually final once published, and errors in a name or date are difficult for a grieving family to see in print. See can you correct or update an obituary or funeral notice after it's published if something does need fixing after the fact.
- A notice can be updated with condolences afterwards. Many online notice pages allow visitors to leave a message, a natural bridge to a fuller online memorial if the family wants somewhere more lasting.
Common Mistakes
- Trying to summarise the person's whole life in the notice. That's the obituary's job: a notice this long usually reads as cluttered rather than complete, and costs more to publish since most outlets charge by length.
- Forgetting practical details mourners actually need: parking, whether children are welcome, dress code, or livestream links if family can't travel; see what happens at a funeral service for what else guests will want to know.
- Publishing before confirming the service details are locked in. A notice with a wrong time or venue causes real distress, so confirm everything with the venue and celebrant first.
- Leaving it until the last minute. Most publications have submission deadlines the day before printing; ask your funeral director about cut-off times as soon as the service date is set.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between a funeral notice and an obituary?
- A funeral notice is short and practical: it announces the death and gives service details so people know when and where to attend. An [obituary](/questions/how-to-write-an-obituary) is a longer piece, often several hundred words, that tells the story of the person's life; it's frequently published separately, sometimes days or weeks later, and doesn't need to include service logistics at all. Many families publish both: a notice first to announce the death and service, then an obituary once there's time to write it properly. For the full three-way comparison, including where the eulogy fits, see [obituary vs death notice vs eulogy](/questions/obituary-vs-death-notice-vs-eulogy).
- How much does it cost to publish a funeral notice?
- Costs vary by publication, length, and whether it runs in print, online, or both. Commonly $50 to $150 for a short print notice, more for longer or more prominent placements, and often free online. See [how much does it cost to publish an obituary or funeral notice](/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-publish-an-obituary-or-funeral-notice) for a full breakdown.
- Can you include a photo in a funeral notice?
- Most print and online publications allow a small photo for an additional fee, and it's increasingly common to include one. Choose a recent, clear photo the family is happy to have publicly associated with the announcement, and check the publication's size and format requirements before submitting.
- Who actually writes the funeral notice?
- Usually a family member drafts it, often with the funeral director's help: most have templates and experience with what reads well and what a particular publication requires. Some families prefer the funeral director to write the first draft from information they provide, then review and adjust the wording themselves before it's published.
References
Related Questions
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