Writing an obituary can feel overwhelming, especially during loss. Our FAQ and resources section answers your most common questions and provides clear, compassionate guidance to help you create a meaningful tribute.
An obituary is a written announcement of someone’s death, often including a brief biography and funeral details.
Key elements: full name, age, date of death, place of residence, family members, life achievements, funeral details.
Typically 100–300 words, but it can be longer depending on publication space or online format.
A death notice is a short public announcement, while an obituary is more detailed and personal.
Family members, close friends, or funeral home staff typically write it.
Ideally, within a few days of the person’s passing, inform the public about services.
Newspapers, funeral home websites, memorial websites, and social media.
No, but it is often done to honor the deceased and inform others of the death and service details.
Yes, some people write or help prepare their own obituaries ahead of time.
Focus on honoring the deceased and omit controversial or painful details.
It is optional and up to the family’s discretion.
Yes, a photo can personalize the obituary and is often encouraged.
Costs vary depending on length and the publication—anywhere from $100 to $1,000+.
Misspellings, incorrect dates, leaving out survivors, or forgetting funeral details.
Contact the newspaper’s obituary department or go through a funeral home.
Yes, if it reflects the personality of the deceased and is tasteful.
Yes, if it was a significant part of their life or identity.
Talk to family members or close friends for accurate and respectful information.
Yes, many obituaries suggest donations to a cause in lieu of flowers.
Respectful, honest, and loving; personalize it to reflect the individual’s spirit.
Avoid publishing sensitive personal information like addresses or full birthdates.
Yes, in most cases, online versions can be updated through the host site or funeral home.
Save digital copies, print them for scrapbooks, or create a memorial website.
Paid posts appear in newspapers or premium sites; free ones may be available on memorial sites or social media.
Funeral homes, obituary writing services, online templates, or professional writers.
Legacy.com – Online obituary submissions and memorials
Funeralwise.com – Obituary writing tips and templates
Ever Loved – Create free memorial websites and publish obituaries
AARP Obituary Guide – Step-by-step obituary planning for older adults
Newspaper Obituary Submission Pages – (e.g., The New York Times, local papers)
Social Media – Facebook Memorial Pages
Local Funeral Homes – Often offer writing and publishing services
National Archives – To retrieve records for veterans or historical references
Grief Support Groups – May offer help in memorial writing and planning
MyKeeper (Keeper Memorials) – Create interactive online memorial pages with photos, stories, and tributes.
Website: mykeeper.com
ForeverMissed – Build an online memorial with music, photos, and video integration.
Website: forevermissed.com
Gather – A funeral technology platform for memorial videos, livestreaming, and obituary tools.
Website: gather.app
FuneralNet – Offers website solutions and obituary management tools for funeral homes.
Website: funeralnet.com
Everplans – Helps users plan for death and legacy, including writing obituaries and organizing wishes.
Website: everplans.com
Funeralwise Obituary Tool – Step-by-step free tool to write and format obituaries.
Website: funeralwise.com/obituary
Afterlife.co – Publish free obituaries and connect with grief support services.
Website: afterlife.co
Memorial Sites by Dignity Memorial – Funeral homes affiliated with Dignity offer online memorial pages.
Website: dignitymemorial.com
Mem.com – Online memorials and obituary hosting in partnership with funeral service providers.
Funeral Consumers Alliance – Nonprofit focused on informed end-of-life decisions; includes obituary info.
Website: funerals.org
The Obituary Writer’s Handbook – A helpful book for families and professionals writing meaningful obituaries.
(Book by Susan Soper)
Veterans Affairs (VA.gov) – For writing veteran obituaries, obtaining military service records, and burial info.
Website: va.gov
FindAGrave.com – Archive of gravesites with user-contributed obituaries and family histories.
Website: findagrave.com
Funeralocity – Compare funeral providers, many of whom offer obituary assistance.
Website: funeralocity.com
Green Burial Council – For those writing obituaries related to eco-friendly or green burials.
Website: greenburialcouncil.org
Modern Loss – Grief community offering real-life stories and advice, including how to memorialize someone.
Website: modernloss.com
Grief.com – A support resource by David Kessler with guides for memorials and tributes.
Website: grief.com