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GUIDE · DEATH NOTICE

Death notice: templates and how to write one

A death notice is the written announcement through which the family makes known the passing of their loved one and the details of the funeral — date, time, and place. It is published in a newspaper, online, or on social media, so that relatives, friends, and acquaintances can learn the news and pay their respects. A good death notice is short, clear, and dignified in tone. In this guide you will find what it must contain, where to publish it, and three ready-to-use templates with fill-in spaces.

Updated: 22 June 20261,600 wordsReviewed by Andrei
sobru.ro — Romanian funeral services
Illustrative image for the guide above.

What is a death notice?

A death notice is a brief announcement through which the family informs the public of the death and invites acquaintances to the funeral. It is a notice, not a biography — that is the obituary's role.

The notice has a sober tone and contains only what is necessary: who has died, and when and where the funeral will take place.

Manila folder with certificates and a white envelope on top
Illustrative image: drafting a death notice.

What a death notice must contain

A complete death notice includes a few essential elements:

  • The full name of the deceased
  • Age or years of life (birth – death)
  • Date, time, and place of the funeral
  • Location and hours of the wake, if one is being held
  • A closing phrase and, where appropriate, who is making the announcement

Where to publish the notice

A death notice can be published in several places, depending on who you want to reach:

  • In a local or national newspaper, in the announcements section
  • Online, on funeral announcement websites
  • On social media, for friends and acquaintances
  • Posted at the entrance of the apartment building or in the locality, as is customary
Public institution counter with a glass partition, document tray and call bell — no people
Illustrative image: publishing a death notice.

Template 1 — classic notice

A sober template suitable for a newspaper or online. Replace the spaces in brackets with the actual details:

"With deep sorrow, the family announces the passing of [Full Name], aged [age]. The funeral will take place on [date], at [time], at [cemetery/church]. May God grant him/her eternal rest."

Template 2 — short notice

A concise version suitable for social media or a posted notice:

"The [Surname] family sorrowfully announces the passing of [Full Name]. Final farewell: [date], at [venue]. Funeral service: [time]. Our gratitude to all who stand by us."

Template 3 — notice including the wake

A template that includes the wake, when it is held over more than one day:

"[Full Name] has passed away. The wake will be held at [venue] on [interval of days]. The funeral: [date], at [time], at [cemetery]. The bereaved family thanks all those who are with them in this time."

Tone and appropriate phrases

The death notice is written in a sober tone, in the third person, without unnecessary words. Traditional formulas — "has passed to eternal life", "May God grant him rest" — are appropriate but not obligatory.

For a civil ceremony, religious phrases can be replaced with neutral ones, such as "will remain in our memory".

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Mistakes to avoid

A few mistakes make the notice difficult to use:

  • Missing or incorrect details — time, place, or date of the funeral
  • Text that is too long, mixing the news with the biography
  • Wrong tone — too informal or too emotionally charged
  • The name written incorrectly or incompletely

Death notice or obituary?

The death notice is short and announces the funeral. The obituary is more extensive and evokes the life of the departed. Many families use both.

In brief: the notice calls people to the funeral; the obituary honours the person's memory.

How we help

We help you draft the death notice, choose the right phrases, and publish it in a newspaper or online, alongside the rest of the funeral services.

We are available day and night. For a no-obligation conversation, call us or see our funeral services.

STEP BY STEP

Steps summary

  1. 01

    Gather the essential details

    Full name, age or years of life, date, time, and place of the funeral, plus the wake details if one is being held.

  2. 02

    Choose a template and fill it in

    Start from one of the three templates and replace the spaces in brackets with the actual details.

  3. 03

    Publish the notice

    In a newspaper, online, or on social media, depending on who you want to reach. Check all details before publishing.

OFFICIAL SOURCES

Information verified with

FREQUENT QUESTIONS

What families ask most often

  • What is a death notice?

    It is the written announcement through which the family announces the death and invites acquaintances to the funeral, with the date, time, and place. It is short and sober.

  • What must the notice contain?

    The full name, age or years of life, date, time, and place of the funeral, the wake details if applicable, a closing phrase, and who is making the announcement.

  • Where is a death notice published?

    In a newspaper, online on funeral announcement websites, on social media, or posted at the entrance of the apartment building or in the locality.

  • How long should it be?

    Short — a few lines. The notice conveys the news and the funeral details. Evoking the life of the departed is done in the obituary, which is more extensive.

  • Can I use a ready-made template?

    Yes. The guide contains three templates with fill-in spaces. Replace the bracketed details with the actual information and the notice is ready.

  • What phrases are used?

    Traditional ones, such as "has passed to eternal life" or "May God grant him rest". For a civil ceremony, neutral phrases can be used instead.

  • What is the difference between a notice and an obituary?

    The death notice is short and calls people to the funeral. The obituary is more extensive and honours the memory, evoking the life of the departed. Many families use both.

  • Who writes the death notice?

    Usually the family, alone or with help from the funeral home. We can help you draft it and publish it, alongside the rest of the funeral services.

  • Is there a fee for publishing in a newspaper?

    Usually yes. Newspaper publication has a fee that depends on size and the newspaper chosen. Online, many funeral websites allow free publication.

  • Can I publish the notice on Facebook?

    Yes. Social media reaches friends and acquaintances quickly. Use a sober text with the funeral details clearly stated.

  • Must the cause of death be included?

    No. The cause of death is not included in the notice. It contains only the name, the funeral details, and optionally a closing phrase.

  • Can I include thanks in the notice?

    Yes. A phrase of thanks to those supporting the family is common — "the bereaved family thanks all those who stand by them".

  • When should the notice be published?

    As soon as possible after the funeral date is set, so relatives and friends can make arrangements to attend. A newspaper notice usually appears the following day.

  • Can a nickname be included?

    The full name is required. A well-known nickname can be added in brackets if it helps acquaintances identify the person.

  • How does the family write the notice?

    We help you draft it, choose the right phrases, and publish it in a newspaper or online, alongside the rest of the funeral services.

  • Is the notice published before or after the funeral?

    Before, so that relatives and friends can attend the funeral. After the funeral, a notice of thanks or an obituary can be published.

  • Can I include a photograph?

    Yes. Many notices, especially online ones, include a sober photograph of the departed. In a newspaper, it depends on the space and format chosen.

  • Who signs the death notice?

    Usually the family — "the bereaved family" or close members, as preferred. It can also be signed on behalf of a group, such as colleagues or friends.

  • What if the family does not want flowers?

    A sober note can be added, such as "in lieu of flowers, the family welcomes kind thoughts" or, if desired, a suggestion for a donation in memory of the departed.

  • Is the notice different for cremation?

    Essentially no. The date, time, and place of the ceremony are stated, and instead of "funeral" the notice mentions cremation or the farewell ceremony.

  • Can I publish in more than one newspaper?

    Yes. The notice can be published in several newspapers — local and national — and online, to reach as many people as possible.

  • What phrase do I use for a young person?

    A sober one that avoids clichés. "Taken too soon" or "will remain always in our hearts" are appropriate, without overloading the text.

  • Can I notify only close family?

    Yes. You can make a restricted announcement — only to close relatives and friends — by phone or message, without broader publication.

  • Can the notice be written in another language?

    Yes, if you have relatives or friends abroad. The notice can also be drafted in English or another language, alongside the Romanian version.

  • Does the notice need to be approved by anyone?

    No. The death notice requires no approval. For newspaper publication, the newspaper takes it as submitted, with the details provided by the family.

  • Can the notice be changed after publication?

    Online, usually yes. In a printed newspaper, a printed edition cannot be changed; a correction appears in a new notice. That is why you should check all details before publishing.

  • What is a notice of thanks?

    A notice published after the funeral through which the family thanks those who stood by them. It is a common gesture of gratitude.

  • How quickly does a notice appear in a newspaper?

    Usually in the next edition, the following day. For timely publication, the notice should be submitted a day before the funeral.

  • Can the memorial meal details be included?

    The memorial meal is not usually included in the public notice; it is a personal invitation. The notice contains the funeral details.

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