Writing a death notice
A DEATH NOTICE
What is a death notice?
A death notice can appear in a newspaper(s) or be included on certain radio stations that provide an "In Memorium" service. The purpose of the death notice is to inform others of the death and provide helpful information and/or act as a family record. Whether the notice has every detail about a person's life or just the essentials, it is important to note there are no rules of how the notice should be written.
The following is an effictive guide to composing a death notice:
Decide on the order of information in the notice:
- Who
- How
- Where
- When
- Family & Friends
- Service details: visitation, funeral, interment
- Closing information such as charities that people can donate to etc.
Who:
The deceased person's name will appear at the beginning of the notice. Sometimes the full name is used or the name the person went by:
Example: William "Bill" Albert Smith
Following the name, sometimes the person's home town, former home town, memberships and/or workplace are mentioned:
Example: resident of St. Marys and formerly of Pickering,
retired employee of Bill's Garage and
elder of St. Paul's Church
Sometimes a picture of the person can be included with the newspaper notice.
How:
The circumstances of the death:
Examples:
- after a brave battle with cancer
- a valiant heart stopped
- entered into rest
- peacefully
- suddenly
- surrounded by family
- unexpectedly
Where:
Do you want to mention where the death occurred? At home, nurisng home or at a hospital.
When:
Do you want the date of death and/or the person's age included.
Family & Friends:
The order can be:
- Spouse
- Children
- Grandchildren
- Great-grandchildren etc.
- Parents
- Siblings
- Extended family members
- Close friends
- Predeceased family members
When mentioning surviving family members, you can also include where they live and their spouse's name.
***Be sure of the correct spelling of all names, sometimes it is best to confirm that information with other family members.
And please note: If there are too many family members or friends to be mentioned, the phrase He/She will be missed by his/her many family members and friends is a suitable way to include everyone.
Service details:
Example:
Family and friends will be received at the Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home, 47 Wellington St. South, St. Marys (519-284-2820) on Tuesday, July 4, from 2- 4 & 7 - 9 p.m. The Funeral Service will be conducted at St. Marys Church, 85 Church St. South, St. Marys, on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Smith officiating. Interment to follow in St. Marys Cemetery.
Closing information:
- Charitable foundations that people can donate to "in memory of" can be included. At times people request to write "in lieu of flowers," but generally those who always send flowers will still send flowers and those who always send donations will send donations.
- A thank-you to those who provided care, such as hospital staff could be included, but sometimes this can be done later in a separate thank-you notice.
- Online condolences at www.hodgesfuneralhome.ca
- A quote:
"Be with God"
"Gone, but not forgotten"
"May the Good Lord take care of our angel"
"Fred will be greatly missed"
"In love together forever"
"Mother loved flowers"
"Rest in peace"
"Until we meet again"
"We have loved her in life. Let us not forget her in death"
"We will always love you"
"Your love will not die"
"With strength and grace you embraced us all"
With compassion and love you accepted us all
With joy and pride you taught us all
And now we feel you presence and miss you dearly
These traits are now part of us all
Though her smile
is gone forever,
and her hand
we cannot touch,
we shall never
lose sweet memories
of the one
we loved so much
The cost of a newspaper notice or radio annoucement depends on the media company. Most newspapers charge per line and radio stations may have a set fee for time limits.