You may have wondered what differentiates a death notice from an obituary. Afterall, they both are announcements showing that somebody has passed and are by the family members of the deceased. Despite contrary beliefs commonly held by the deceased person’s loved ones, death notice and obituary serve different purposes.
What is a Death Notice?
As the name implies, this is a ‘notice’ designed to announce that a person has died. Besides announcing the death, it is a paid announcement that provides information on the date, time and place of the upcoming funeral. This allows for community involvement in both the funeral and memorial services as well as an opportunity for help on fundraising efforts.
Death notices are typically prepared by relatives or friends and consist of bare minimum essential details, including the deceased person’s full legal name, date of death, surviving family members’ names, funeral or memorial service details, last place of residence, most recent employment, birthplace and date of birth.
Death notices are printed in local newspapers, national newspapers, and various other publications, such as local religious or volunteer organization newsletters.
What is an Obituary?
Obituary can also be described as a tribute to the deceased. It is a more in-depth announcement that provides a short biography of the person who passed. Although it can be written by a close friend or family member, it is often prepared by professional journalists of the publishing newspaper. It is more lengthy than death notices and describes the deceased’s accomplishments, leisure time activities, favorite quotes and a list of the names of the families left behind, along with many other topics.
Many funeral parlors will prepare and publish death notices or obituaries without charge, while some require a fee. In either case, it’s often easier to let the funeral home take care of all such details
We understand that you might struggle to come up with a written obituary or even a death notice for that matter. You can reach out to us today and be assured of guidance.