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How to write a funeral announcement

Sammy at hitherHosts and guests · 6 min read · Updated 2 November 2026

Writing a funeral announcement usually falls to one person in the family, often within days, and often while they’re doing ten other things. It doesn’t need to be eloquent. It needs to be clear, kind and correct, so that everyone who wants to be there can be. Here’s what to include, and wording you can borrow.

What a funeral announcement needs to say

Keep the essentials near the top. People skim these on their phones, and the details are what they come back for.

  • Their full name, and the name they were known by if it’s different
  • Their age, or their years ("1938 – 2026")
  • That they have died, and where if the family wants to say (at home, peacefully)
  • The people closest to them: "beloved wife of John, mother of Sarah and Tom"
  • The date, time and place of the service, and of the gathering afterwards
  • Flowers or donations: "family flowers only; donations to Macmillan Cancer Support"
  • Who to contact, or where to find the details

Choosing the words

There’s no single correct phrasing. "Died peacefully", "passed away" and "died" are all fine; use what the family would say out loud. If the death was sudden or difficult, you don’t have to explain it. "Died suddenly" is enough, and many families say nothing more.

If they had a nickname everyone used, put it in. An announcement for "Margaret (Peggy) Ellis" will reach the people who only ever knew her as Peggy.

Examples you can adapt

  1. Traditional (newspaper)ELLIS, Margaret (Peggy). Died peacefully at home on 2 November 2026, aged 88. Beloved wife of the late John, much-loved mother of Sarah and Tom, and grandmother of four. Funeral service at St John’s Church, Bath, on Friday 20 November at 11am, followed by a gathering at The Old Hall. Family flowers only; donations, if desired, to Macmillan Cancer Support.
  2. Simple (message to friends)It’s with great sadness that we let you know Mum died peacefully on Monday. Her funeral is on Friday 20 November at 11am at St John’s, Bath, and everyone who knew her is welcome. All the details are here: [link].
  3. Celebration of lifeWe’re gathering to celebrate the life of Margaret Ellis, who died on 2 November. Come as you are, bring a story, and stay for tea afterwards. Details, and a place to leave a memory: [link].

Where to share it

A local newspaper notice still matters for older friends and neighbours, though it costs money and has to be booked a few days ahead. Most families now also post on social media and send a message round family groups.

One link that holds all the details saves a lot of repeated phone calls, and it can be updated if anything changes. That’s what a Hither memorial page is for, and it’s free. If you post publicly, leave out the home address and the exact date the house will be empty: sadly, funerals are a known time for burglaries.

Before you send it

That last one matters most. Nobody should find out about a death from a Facebook post.

  • Have one other person check names, dates and spellings
  • Check the venue and time with the funeral director
  • Make sure close family have heard personally before it goes public

Questions

What’s the difference between a death notice and an obituary?

A death notice is a short announcement of the death and the funeral details, usually written by the family. An obituary is a longer piece about the person’s life, sometimes written by a journalist.

How soon should a funeral announcement go out?

As soon as the date, time and place are confirmed with the funeral director. In the UK funerals are often two to three weeks after the death, so there’s usually time to give people a week or more of notice.

Should we include the cause of death?

Only if the family wants to. Many announcements don’t mention it at all, and "died suddenly" or "after a long illness" is plenty.

Is it all right to announce a death on social media?

Yes, once close family and friends have been told personally. Keep it short, include the funeral details or a link, and leave out the home address.

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