# How to write an obituary or death notice

> A death notice is a short paid announcement of a death and the funeral details. An obituary is a longer tribute to the person's life. Include their full name, age, town, date of death, close family and funeral arrangements, but leave out their full date of birth and home address to reduce the risk of identity fraud.

Source: https://funeralfinder.org/uk/guides/how-to-write-an-obituary/ — updated 2026-09-26 — FuneralFinder

Writing about someone you love, just after they've died, can feel like an impossible task. The good news is that a death notice or obituary doesn't need to be perfect or long. It just needs to tell people the news, give the funeral details and, if you want, say something true about the person. This guide gives you templates, examples and a few safety tips.

## Key points

- A **death notice** is a short announcement; an **obituary** is a longer life story. You can write one, both or neither.
- Include the **full name, age, town, date of death, close family and funeral details**.
- **Leave out the full date of birth and home address**, which fraudsters can use.
- Newspapers charge for notices, so **ask for a quote** first. Online pages can be free.
- Your **funeral director** can place the notice for you and add the cost to the bill.

## Obituary, death notice or online tribute?

| | Death notice | Obituary or tribute | Online tribute page or post |
|---|---|---|---|
| **What it is** | A brief announcement of the death and funeral | A short story of the person's life | A page or social media post where others can add memories |
| **Who writes it** | Family, often with the funeral director | Family or friends (or a journalist, for a well-known person) | Family or friends |
| **Where it appears** | Local, regional or national newspaper, often also online | Newspaper, community newsletter, faith or club magazine, online | Tribute websites, funeral director websites, social media |
| **Cost** | Paid, varies by paper and length | Paid if placed as an advert; editorial obituaries are free but not guaranteed | Often free, or a small charge |

Don't confuse these with a **deceased estates notice** in The Gazette. That's a legal notice the executor may place to give creditors two months to come forward. It's not a tribute. See [dealing with debts after a death](/uk/guides/dealing-with-debts-after-a-death/).

## What to include

Most notices follow the same order. Use what fits and leave out the rest.

1. **Full name**, including any name they were known by (for example, "Margaret (Peggy)").
2. **Age** and the **town or area** they lived in.
3. **Date of death** and, if you wish, where it happened ("peacefully at home", "in hospital").
4. **Close family**: husband, wife or partner, children, grandchildren, siblings. It's common to say "much-loved" or "dearly loved".
5. **Funeral details**: date, time and place, or "private family funeral".
6. **Flowers or donations**: for example, "family flowers only; donations to [charity]". See [donations in memory](/uk/guides/donations-in-memory/).
7. **Dress code or other requests**, such as "bright colours welcome".
8. **Contact**: the funeral director's name, so people know who to ask.

An obituary or tribute adds the story: where they grew up, their work, the people and passions that mattered, and how they'll be remembered.

## What to leave out: protecting against fraud

Criminals sometimes use information from death notices to try to open accounts in a dead person's name. To reduce the risk:

- **Don't publish the full date of birth.** The age is enough.
- **Don't include the home address.** Name the town or area instead.
- **Think twice about the mother's maiden name** and other details that banks use as security questions.
- **Register with the free [Deceased Preference Service](https://www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk/)**, which shares details with credit and financial organisations to help stop fraud, and with [The Bereavement Register](https://www.thebereavementregister.org.uk/) to cut unwanted marketing post.
- **Use [Tell Us Once](/uk/guides/tell-us-once/)** (England, Scotland and Wales) so that government departments, including HM Passport Office and the DVLA, are told about the death.

A published funeral time also shows when the family home may be empty. Some families ask a neighbour or friend to stay at the house during the service.

## Three fill-in templates

### 1. Simple death notice

> [FULL NAME] ([known as]), of [TOWN], died [peacefully / suddenly] on [DATE], aged [AGE]. Much-loved [husband / wife / partner] of [NAME], [mum / dad] of [NAMES] and [grandma / grandad] of [NAMES]. Funeral at [PLACE] on [DATE] at [TIME]. Enquiries to [FUNERAL DIRECTOR].

### 2. Notice with flowers, donations and dress code

> [FULL NAME], aged [AGE], of [TOWN], passed away on [DATE] [at home / in hospital / at a hospice], surrounded by family. [He / She / They] will be deeply missed by [NAMES]. Everyone is welcome at the service at [PLACE] on [DATE] at [TIME], followed by a gathering at [VENUE]. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to [CHARITY] via [FUNERAL DIRECTOR or WEBSITE]. [Bright colours welcome.]

### 3. Short obituary or tribute

> [FIRST NAME] was born in [PLACE] and grew up [DETAIL]. [He / She / They] worked as [JOB] for [YEARS / at PLACE], and was known for [QUALITY or HABIT]. [FIRST NAME] loved [INTERESTS] and was happiest [DETAIL]. [He / She / They] leave [FAMILY], and a host of friends who will remember [A MEMORY or SAYING]. [Funeral or memorial details.]

## Four short examples

These are fictional examples to show tone and length.

**A traditional notice**

> HOLLOWAY, Dennis Arthur, of Kettering, died peacefully in hospital on 3 September, aged 87. Beloved husband of the late Joan, dad of Paul and Susan, and grandad to five. Funeral service at St Andrew's Church on 19 September at 11am. Family flowers only; donations to the British Heart Foundation.

**A notice for a faith funeral**

> Farida Begum, of Bradford, passed away on 12 August, aged 71. Loving mother, grandmother and friend to many. Janazah prayer at the central mosque after Zuhr on 13 August, followed by burial. Please keep the family in your prayers.

**A short tribute for a local paper**

> Everyone at the allotments knew Bev. For 30 years she grew the best sweet peas on the site and gave most of them away. A school cook by trade, she fed half the village at one time or another and never let anyone leave without a slice of cake. She leaves her partner, Tony, her daughters, Kerry and Lauren, and three grandchildren who knew exactly where the biscuit tin was.

**A social media post**

> It's with heavy hearts that we share the news that our dad, Martin Reid, died on Sunday after a short illness, aged 64. He was funny, stubborn and endlessly kind. The funeral will be on Friday 10 October at 2pm at Riverside Crematorium, and everyone who knew him is welcome. Please share this with anyone we may have missed.

## Where to publish it, and what it costs

- **Newspapers** usually charge by the word or line, with extras for a photo, border, emblem or extra days. Local and regional papers tend to cost less than national titles, and many also publish notices online. Check the paper's deadline, especially for weeklies.
- **Your funeral director** can place newspaper notices for you and add the cost to your account. Ask for the price before you approve it.
- **Online tribute pages** and funeral director websites are often free or low-cost, and let people leave messages or give to charity.
- **Social media** is free and fast, but tell close family and friends in person or by phone first, so no one learns the news from a post.

## Tips on tone and wording

- **Be honest and specific.** One real detail ("never missed a Saturday at the match") says more than a list of adjectives.
- **Check every name.** Ask someone else to proofread, especially spellings of relatives and places.
- **Mention people who have died before them** if it matters to the family: "reunited with her beloved Ron".
- **Keep it kind.** If relationships are complicated, it's fine to keep a notice short and factual.
- **Don't worry about length.** A few simple lines is enough.

## Next steps

- Writing words for the service? See [how to write a eulogy](/uk/guides/how-to-write-a-eulogy/) or try our [eulogy writer](/tools/eulogy-writer/).
- Planning the printed booklet: [order of service](/uk/guides/order-of-service/).
- Asking for gifts to charity: [donations in memory](/uk/guides/donations-in-memory/).
- After the funeral: [thank-you messages](/uk/guides/thank-you-messages-after-a-funeral/).
- Need a funeral director to help? [Find funeral directors near you](/uk/funeral-directors-near-me/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?

A death notice is a short announcement, usually paid for by the family, giving the name, date of death, family and funeral details. An obituary is a longer piece about the person's life. Newspapers write editorial obituaries for well-known people, but families often write their own tribute for a local paper or online page.

### How much does a newspaper death notice cost?

It depends on the paper, the number of words or lines, whether you add a photo or emblem, and how many days it runs. Local and regional papers usually cost less than national titles. Ask the paper or your funeral director for a quote before you finalise the wording.

### Who should write the obituary?

Usually a close family member or the person arranging the funeral, but anyone who knew the person well can help. Many families share the job: one person gathers facts and memories, another writes, and others check names and details. Your funeral director can place the notice for you.

### Should I mention the cause of death?

It's entirely your choice. Some families find it helpful to say "after a short illness" or "after a long battle with cancer", especially if they are asking for donations to a related charity. Others prefer to leave it out. There is no rule either way.

### Is it safe to publish the funeral date and time?

Most families do, so that people can attend. Because the date shows when the family home may be empty, some ask a neighbour or friend to stay at the house during the funeral. If you want a private service, say "private family funeral" and give details of any later memorial instead.

### How long should an obituary be?

A death notice is usually brief, often a few short sentences. A written tribute or obituary for a local paper or online page is typically a few paragraphs. Check the publication's word limits and deadlines before you start.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK – Tell Us Once](https://www.gov.uk/tell-us-once)
- [Deceased Preference Service](https://www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk/)
- [The Bereavement Register](https://www.thebereavementregister.org.uk/)
- [GOV.UK – Dealing with the estate: settling debts and taxes](https://www.gov.uk/probate-estate/settling-debts-and-taxes)