A how-to guide to funeral notices

We can’t escape red tape and admin tasks in life, and there’s even more things for the to-do list in death. And when someone passes away, one of the items on their nearest and dearest to-do list will be a funeral notice. 

Hopefully, none of us will have to put one together more than a couple of times in our lifetimes, but that does mean you might have a few questions about how it’s done. 

Here’s our quick guide on how to create and share a funeral notice. 

What is a funeral notice?

A funeral notice, also known as a death notice, shares the news of someone’s passing and provides details about the planned funeral so others can attend. 

As we found in our Cost of Death Report, organising and planning a funeral can be quite challenging and expensive. So, it’s not unusual to share the news first, then details of the funeral later. 

Or, you can do both tasks in one notice. 

Essential components of a funeral notice

A death and funeral notice is generally quite simple and straightforward, so you don’t need to labour over getting the words just right. 

Important information to include in a funeral notice

What you need to include:

  • The full name of the deceased (you could include a ‘née’ if they had a different name prior to marriage, as well as any nicknames they went by)
  • The time and date of the funeral
  • The location of the funeral
  • Information such as where to send flowers, or which charity well-wishers can donate to in lieu of flowers
  • Any instructions for the funeral, such as if the deceased had a special request for funeral attire 

What you can include if you choose to: 

  • Basic information about their passing, such as their age at death or how they died (if this is something you feel necessary to share, or you can keep it vague i.e. ‘after an accident’)
  • Thanks to any hospice, hospital, or first responder staff
  • Family ties of the deceased, such as ‘much-loved sister of …’ 
  • A short story or anecdote about the deceased 

Proofreading and editing

Everyone makes typos and little errors, and it’s especially hard to see them in your own writing. 

Since this is such an important notice, this is definitely the time to phone in a quick favour from the grammar-nerd in your family or friend group for a proofread. 

Creating a respectful and compassionate message

A funeral notice is largely just about sharing details, but it can sometimes include a more personal message. 

If this is the tone you’re looking for, try to think about what you would want to say to the person now. Without overthinking it, jot down the words and thoughts that come to mind, then see if you can edit them into a short, sweet, and compassionate line or two.

If in doubt, explore your newspaper to see what other people have done for inspiration on the style and kinds of messages they’re sharing. You can also use these as a reference or as a funeral notice template that you can adapt.

Keep in mind, a funeral notice is different to giving an eulogy or writing an obituary, which are longer and more personal. 

Where to distribute your funeral notice

There are multiple places where you can share a funeral notice:

Keep in mind that placing a death or funeral notice will likely require a fee from most publications. 

Organising funeral insurance

Once the funeral has passed and you’re feeling rested, your loved one’s passing may be a gentle reminder to think about planning your own funeral. Were you inspired by something that was said, done, or organised for their funeral? Perhaps you can set aside plans for a similar event. 

And if you’re unsure how you’d cover the costs of a funeral, you could consider exploring Seniors Funeral Insurance. Visit our website to discover our policy options and request a quote today. 

2 Oct 2024