When sharing news of a death, families may encounter two terms: obituary and death notice.
They serve related but different purposes, and understanding the distinction can help you decide what to write, where to publish it, and what details to include.
Obituary vs. death notice: the main difference
A death notice is usually a concise announcement that someone has died.
It commonly gives the person’s name, date of death, and information about a funeral or memorial service.
A newspaper, funeral home, or family may prepare it, depending on the publication and local practice.
An obituary is generally a longer account of a person’s life.
It may describe their family, work, interests, community involvement, and the qualities loved ones remember.
Families often provide the information, while a newspaper, funeral home, or obituary-writing service may help edit or prepare the text.
There is no universal rule separating the two.
Publications sometimes use the terms differently, and an obituary can also include service details.
Check the outlet’s submission guidelines to learn what it calls each format and what it accepts.
What does a death notice include?
A death notice focuses on essential, practical information.
Depending on the family’s wishes and the publication’s requirements, it may include:
- The person’s full name, and sometimes a preferred name
- The date and place of death, if the family chooses to share them
- The person’s age or birth date, when appropriate
- Names of close relatives or survivors
- Funeral, visitation, or memorial service details
- Instructions for condolences, donations, or a private service
Families do not have to publish every detail.
For example, they may omit the cause of death, exact location, or names of relatives for privacy.
A notice can simply announce the death and explain how to learn about arrangements.
What does an obituary include?
An obituary usually provides a fuller picture of a person’s life.
Alongside basic biographical details and service information, it can describe what mattered to the person and how they spent their time.
Useful topics may include:
- Places where the person lived or studied
- Work, service, creative pursuits, or other meaningful activities
- Hobbies, traditions, and communities they valued
- Important relationships and family roles
- Personal qualities, described in the family’s own words
- How readers can attend a public service or share condolences
A strong obituary does not need to list every milestone.
A few specific, accurate details can make the account feel personal.
Before submitting, confirm names, dates, spellings, and service information with the family or the person coordinating arrangements.
Which one should you choose?
Choose a death notice when the priority is to share the news and provide key arrangements in a brief format.
It may suit families who want a simple announcement, prefer to keep personal details private, or are working with a publication that offers a limited notice format.
Choose an obituary when you want to share more about the person’s life and the meaning of their relationships, work, or interests.
It can help distant relatives, friends, former colleagues, and community members learn about the person and find service information.
You can also use both formats if the publication allows it: a short notice for essential details and a separate obituary for a more complete biography.
Ask the newspaper, funeral home, or online memorial platform about available formats, word limits, deadlines, and editing requirements.
Publication rates vary by outlet and location, so request current pricing directly; newspapers set their own rates.
Where can you publish an obituary or death notice?
Options may include a local or national newspaper, a funeral home’s website, an online memorial page, or a community organization’s announcement page.
Some families share information through social media or a private family message as well.
Consider who needs to receive the information, how widely it should be shared, and whether the page will remain accessible after the service.
Each outlet may have different policies for identity verification, word count, photographs, links, and corrections.
Confirm the submission deadline if the notice needs to appear before a service.
For online posts, review privacy settings and avoid sharing information the family would rather keep private.
How to write either format with care
Start with verified facts and decide what the family is comfortable sharing.
Use a calm, clear tone, and keep the announcement easy to scan.
If several people are contributing, choose one person to review the final version so details remain consistent.
For a death notice, put the announcement and service information first.
For an obituary, begin with the person’s name and a concise account of their life, then add selected details and arrangements.
Avoid guessing about dates, relationships, accomplishments, or the person’s wishes.
If a detail is uncertain, verify it or leave it out.
Before publication, check the following:
- Correct spelling of the person’s name and relatives’ names
- Accurate dates, locations, and service times
- Permission to include personal information or photographs
- Clear instructions for attendance, condolences, or donations
- Compliance with the publisher’s length and formatting rules
Sample wording with placeholders
Fictional example using placeholders: “A service for [Full Name] will take place on [Date] at [Location].
Family and friends are invited to [share condolences or attend, if applicable].”
Fictional obituary example using placeholders: “[Full Name] valued [interest, community, or tradition].
Friends and family remember [him/her/them] for [specific quality or memory supplied by loved ones].
A memorial service will be held on [Date] at [Location].”
These examples are templates, not accounts of real people.
Replace the bracketed text only with details confirmed by the family.