A death notice formally announces someone’s passing and provides basic information to family members, friends, and acquaintances.
Let’s take a closer look at death notices – from their purpose to who should write them and how they differ from obituaries.
What is the purpose of writing a death notice?
The purpose of writing a death notice is to allow those who knew the deceased to acknowledge their passing, pay respects, and offer condolences or support to the grieving family.
It also ensures that a wider audience can learn about the loss and can serve as a historical record or a keepsake.
What should I include in a death notice?
Death notices announce the individual’s passing, providing information such as the person’s name, date of birth, photo, date of death, and details about funeral arrangements.
How do death notices differ from obituaries?
A death notice is a brief announcement informing the community about an individual’s passing. Typically written by the funeral home or family, it includes essential details.
Obituaries are more detailed accounts that celebrate and commemorate a person’s life. They provide a deeper understanding of who the deceased was by highlighting their accomplishments, personal interests, hobbies, and relationships to anecdotes and stories from their lives.
While death notices aim to inform others about an individual’s demise, obituaries offer a broader perspective on their journey, emphasising celebrating their legacy.
While both serve as public announcements regarding someone’s passing, death notices primarily contain basic information about the deceased individual, whereas obituaries delve into greater detail about their life story and impact on others.
Who should write a death notice?
When writing a death notice, the responsibility usually falls on the deceased’s immediate family or close friends.
Writing a death notice requires sensitivity and accuracy as it officially announces someone’s passing.
Death notices: Where to find
Gone are the days when death notices were solely confined to the classifieds section of local newspapers. Now they can be found across numerous online platforms too.
Some popular online platforms in Australia for publishing death notices are mytributes and Deaths&funerals, These platforms provide a convenient and accessible way for families and friends to announce the passing of their loved ones.
Many Australian newspapers also have online portals where death notices can be published. Newspapers such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Courier-Mail have digital versions of their publications where obituaries and death notices are posted.
These websites often provide search functions and archives so users can browse past death notices or find specific announcements from a particular date.
Some other places you may find death notices:
- Funeral homes
- Local houses of worship
- Cemeteries
Overall, whether you prefer traditional print newspapers or modern online platforms, there are plenty of options available in Australia for finding or publishing death notices.
The significance of a death notice
Death notices are official announcements of someone’s passing, offering essential details to those close to the deceased.
This article examined the purpose of death notices, who is responsible for writing them, and how they contrast with obituaries.
Anton Brown Funerals sincerely hopes this informative piece has shed light on death notices. If you require any additional information or assistance with regard to this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us today.
Anton Brown Funerals is a family-owned, Queensland funeral company which was established in 1995.
Our Brisbane-based team of funeral directors are honest, professional, compassionate and understanding, and always put our clients and their needs first.
We go above and beyond to ensure your loved one’s funeral arrangements are tailored to their final wishes and can assist you with burials, cremations, coffins, floral arrangements, pre-planning and more.
If you need help organising a dignified funeral service, we are available to discuss arrangements 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today on (07) 3217 3088 or send us a message online here.