Obit 101
Announcing a loved one’s passing to the world can feel like a mammoth responsibility. Grief can make the smallest tasks seem insurmountable, but despite that, you’re faced with a long list of “to-dos” while standing in the centre of a swirling storm. The good news is this task is a relatively straightforward one to cross off your list and one that we’re here to support you with.
Here’s everything you need to know to write a death notice that is clear, concise and respectful.
Start with the Basics
A well-written death notice has a practical purpose - to inform the community of someone’s passing and provide details about their funeral or memorial service. The goal is to provide all the relevant information within a relatively small space, so you don’t need to include every detail about the person’s life.
Start with an opening line that concisely sums up the notice, including:
The full name of the deceased (including any nicknames)
The date of death
Their age at the time of passing
For example:
William “Bill” Brown passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024, at the age of 75.
Include Key Family Information
Next, you’ll want to mention the immediate family members of the deceased. It’s common to include the names of close relatives, especially those who were significant in the person’s life. You don’t need to list everyone - just focus on the closest family members, such as:
Spouse or partner
Children
Siblings
Parents (if relevant)
For example:
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Pam, and their children, Sarah and Mark.
Choosing who to include can be tricky in a large or blended family, so you’ll need to use your personal judgement as to where to draw the line.
Add Funeral or Memorial Details
The next step when you write a death notice is to provide details about the funeral, memorial service, or any gathering planned to honour the deceased. You can also include any special requests here, such as a dress code and whether people are invited to join the family afterwards for a wake (see our article on What To Think About When Catering A Funeral).
The date and time of the service
The location
Whether it is public or private
Any special requests
For example:
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at Gateway Funeral Services, Whakatāne, on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 1 p.m. All who knew Bill are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Whakatāne Lions Club.
Optional Extra: Add a Personal Touch
While a death notice is traditionally written to be quite straightforward, you can still choose to include a sentence or two that adds a personal touch. This might be a note about the deceased’s character, achievements, or something they were passionate about. Keep it simple and genuine.
For example:
Bill was a retired teacher at Edgecumbe College who loved spending time with his family and volunteering at his local CAB.
Need Help to Write a Death Notice?
Writing a death notice is never easy, but by focusing on the key information and keeping things simple, you can create a respectful announcement that lets others know about your loved one’s passing.
If it’s all too much, or you’d like help with writing or submitting a death notice, the team at Gateway Funeral Services is more than happy to assist. Don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’re here to help.
