A funeral announcement is usually the first thing a family has to write. It tells people who has died, and when and where the funeral will be. Today it is most often a single picture shared on WhatsApp, and sometimes also a printed poster, a Facebook post or a notice in a newspaper. This guide gives you a funeral announcement template and fifteen samples to copy.
What a funeral announcement should include
Keep it short. People read it on a phone, often in a hurry.
- A heading. For example "Obituary", "Funeral announcement", "In loving memory", "Celebration of life", "Call to glory", "Home call" or "Gone too soon".
- A photo. One clear picture of the face, well lit.
- The full name. Include titles, and any name by which the person was widely known.
- Age or dates. The age, the years of birth and death, or the full dates.
- Who is announcing. Usually "the family", sometimes named families or a named head of family.
- The arrangements. Each event with its day, date, time and place.
- A contact. One or two phone numbers for enquiries.
Depending on custom, you might also add the dress code, a link to watch online, or a request for donations in place of flowers. In Ghana, posters often list the chief mourners, the widow or widower, the children and other relatives. In the UK and North America, a notice often ends with the family's wishes on flowers and donations.
A funeral announcement template
Replace the words in brackets with your own details. This pattern works for almost any family.
(HEADING, for example "Funeral Announcement")
The (surname) family announces with sadness the passing of our beloved (relationship),
(TITLE AND FULL NAME),
on (date), aged (age) years.Funeral service: (day, date, time), at (place)
Burial: (place)
Reception: (place)Enquiries: (name and number)
(Name), for the family
Funeral announcement wording: samples by situation
A Christian funeral announcement
With gratitude to God for a life well spent, the (surname) family announces the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and sister, (title and full name), who went to be with the Lord on (date), aged (age) years.
A plain funeral announcement
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of (full name), who died peacefully on (date) at (place), aged (age). Beloved husband of (name) and father of (names).
Announcing the death of a mother
With heavy hearts but with thanks to God, we announce the passing of our dear mother, (title and full name), on (date), aged (age). She was a loving mother of (number) and grandmother of (number). Funeral arrangements will follow. The children.
Announcing the death of a father
The (surname) family regrets to announce the death of our father, husband and head of family, (title and full name), which occurred on (date) after a brief illness. He was (age) years old. Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.
Announcing the death of a husband or wife
With deep sorrow, I announce the passing of my dear (husband, wife) of (number) years, (full name), on (date). (He, She) died peacefully, with the family beside (him, her). Details of the funeral will follow. (Name).
For a younger person, or a sudden death
With heavy hearts, the (surname) family announces the sudden passing of our dear son and brother, (full name), on (date). He was (age) years old. We ask for your prayers at this painful time.
For a child
With broken hearts, (names of parents) announce the death of their beloved (son, daughter), (name), aged (age), on (date). The funeral will be private. Thank you for holding us in your prayers.
A Muslim funeral announcement
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. The (surname) family announces the death of (title and full name), who returned to his Lord on (date). The burial has taken place according to Islamic rites. The (Fidau, third day) prayer will hold on (day, date) at (time), at (place). May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.
When the dates are not yet fixed
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.
A private funeral
The funeral will be private, for family only, as (name) wished. A service of thanksgiving, open to all, will be held at a later date. The family thanks you for your understanding.
When the family prefers no flowers
Family flowers only, please. Donations in memory of (name) may be made to (charity or church).
Funeral announcement samples for WhatsApp, Facebook, email and print
A WhatsApp or text message
The (surname) family announces the passing of (title and full name) on (date), aged (age). Funeral service: (day, date, time), at (place). Burial follows at (place). Enquiries: (number).
A Facebook post
It is with great sadness that I share the news that my (mother, father), (full name), passed away on (date). (He, She) was (age).
The funeral will be held on (day, date) at (time), at (place). All who knew (him, her) are welcome.
Thank you for your messages and prayers. Please bear with us if we are slow to reply.
An email to colleagues
Subject: Passing of (full name)
Dear colleagues,
I am sorry to let you know that (full name), (job title), died on (date). (He, She) worked with us for (number) years and will be greatly missed.
The funeral will take place on (day, date) at (time), at (place). Colleagues who wish to attend are welcome. A condolence book is open at (place).
(Name and position)
A newspaper notice
(SURNAME), (First names). Died peacefully on (date), aged (age) years. Beloved (husband, wife) of (name), loving (father, mother) of (names), and (grandfather, grandmother) of (number). Funeral service at (place) on (day, date) at (time). Family flowers only. Enquiries to (name and number).
A notice for a church bulletin
We announce with sorrow the death of our (brother, sister) (title and full name), a member of (society or group), who was called to rest on (date). The funeral service will be held in this church on (day, date) at (time). Please remember the family in your prayers.
Listing the arrangements
List the arrangements one to a line. Do not write them as a paragraph.
- Service of songs: (day, date, time, place)
- Funeral service: (day, date, time, place)
- Interment: (place)
- Reception: (place)
Close with the name of the person announcing, for example "Signed, (name), for the family".
Choosing the words with care
The words for death vary. "Died", "passed away", "passed on", "went to be with the Lord", "slept in the Lord" and "was called to glory" are all in use. Choose what your family and church would naturally say. A non-religious family may prefer plain words.
A few points are worth agreeing before you write.
- Cause of death. You do not have to give it. Many families say only "after a brief illness", or nothing at all.
- Age. In some communities the age is always given. In others the family prefers the years only. Either is acceptable.
- Titles. Use the titles the person used in life, in the order they used them.
- Who is named. Naming some relatives and not others can cause hurt. If the list is getting long, "the entire family" is a kind way to close it.
Announcing in stages
You do not need every detail on the first day. Many families share two announcements.
- The first notice. Name, photo, date of death, and a line saying that arrangements will follow. This lets people begin to call and visit.
- The full announcement. Sent once the dates are confirmed with the church, the cemetery or crematorium, and the main family members.
Do not publish dates until the minister and the venue have confirmed them. A date that changes after it has spread on WhatsApp is hard to correct. If something does change, send a new card clearly marked "Updated", and ask family members to delete the old one from their groups.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the time or the full address. People will call the family to ask, at the worst moment.
- Publishing before close relatives know. Close relatives, the person's oldest friends and their church leaders should not learn of the death from a forwarded picture.
- A crowded card. One photo, one name, the events and a phone number. Leave the life story for the programme.
- A day that does not match the date. Check each one against a calendar.
- A phone number nobody answers. Use the numbers of people who are able to take many calls.
Before you share it
- Check the spelling of the name and every title.
- Check that the day of the week matches the date.
- Give full addresses, with a landmark where that helps.
- Ask a second family member to read it.
- Get the agreement of the head of the family, or whoever speaks for the family, before it goes out.
Questions people ask
How do you word a funeral announcement?
Say who is announcing, who has died, when, and at what age. Then give each event with its day, date, time and place, and a phone number. For example: "The (surname) family announces with sadness the passing of (full name) on (date), aged (age). Funeral service: (day, date, time), at (place)."
What is the difference between a funeral announcement and an obituary?
A funeral announcement is short. It gives the news of the death and the funeral arrangements. An obituary is longer and tells the story of the person's life. In some countries the word "obituary" is used for both, and an obituary poster is a funeral announcement with a photograph.
How soon should a funeral announcement be made?
Tell close family and friends in person or by phone first, usually within a day. A first notice can follow at once. Send the full announcement when the dates have been confirmed with the church and the venue.
Should I give the cause of death?
Only if the family wishes to. Many announcements say "after a brief illness" or "peacefully", or say nothing about it.
Can I send a funeral announcement by WhatsApp or text?
Yes. Most announcements are now shared this way. Keep the message short, and attach a card with the photo and the arrangements.
What do I say if the funeral is private?
Say so kindly and plainly: "The funeral will be private, for family only." If there will be a memorial service later that is open to all, mention it.
From announcement to programme
The announcement is the start of a longer job. The details on it, such as the name, dates, photo and arrangements, will appear again on the invitation, the cover and the schedule of the funeral programme. Keep them the same in every place.
When the dates are fixed, see burial invitation card wording and obituary poster write-up. When you are ready for the booklet, see what goes in a funeral programme. If relatives overseas are helping, planning a funeral from abroad explains how to share the work.
Make the announcement free with Homegoing
Homegoing makes a free announcement card as a picture, ready to share on WhatsApp. It uses the same details as the funeral programme, which you can go on to make when the family is ready. Open the free poster maker