Guide to Writing a Death Notice and Obituary

Writing a Death Notice and Obituary in the UK

Losing a loved one is a challenging and emotional experience. During this difficult time, you may need to write a death notice and obituary to inform others about the passing of your family member or friend. This guide is intended to help you craft a thoughtful and respectful notice for a UK audience.

1. Understand the Difference Between a Death Notice and an Obituary

• A death notice is a brief announcement of a person’s passing. It typically includes essential information such as the name of the deceased, their age, date of death, and details about the funeral or memorial service. Death notices are usually published in local newspapers.
• An obituary, on the other hand, is a longer and more detailed tribute to the deceased’s life. It provides information about their background, achievements, interests, and the impact they had on others. Obituaries are often published alongside or separately from death notices and can be found in newspapers, online, or in funeral programs.

2. Gather Information

Before you begin writing, gather all the necessary information, including:

• Full name of the deceased
• Date and place of birth
• Date and place of death
• Names of immediate family members (spouse, children, grandchildren)
• Information about the funeral or memorial service (date, time, location)
• Any special requests or donations in lieu of flowers

3. Write the Death Notice

A death notice should be concise and provide the essential details.

Death notice template

Here’s a template to follow: [Full Name of the Deceased]
[Date of Birth] – [Date of Death]

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of [Full Name], aged [Age], on [Date of Death]. Beloved [relation, e.g., husband, wife, father, mother, etc.] of [Spouse’s Name], [Father/Mother] of [Children’s Names]. The funeral service will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Location]. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, to [Charity Name].

. Write the Obituary

When writing an obituary, take your time to celebrate the life of the deceased. Include meaningful details about their life, achievements, and the impact they had on others. 

Obituary Template 

[Full Name of the Deceased]
[Date of Birth] – [Date of Death]

[Full Name] was born on [Date of Birth] in [Place of Birth] to [Parents’ Names]. They passed away peacefully on [Date of Death] at [Place of Death].

[Full Name] was a loving [relation] to [Spouse’s Name] and a devoted parent to [Children’s Names]. They will be dearly missed by their [number of] grandchildren, [other close family members].

[Full Name] had a passion for [mention hobbies or interests], and they were known for [mention significant achievements or contributions]. They touched the lives of many with their [describe personality traits, e.g., kindness, generosity, sense of humor].

A funeral service to celebrate [Full Name]’s life will be held on [Date] at [Time] at [Location]. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to [Charity Name].

Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of [Full Name]. Their memory will live on in our hearts forever.