How to Post an Obituary

Wondering how to post an obituary in the paper or online? Don’t stress—we’ve got you covered. This guide will show you exactly how to share your loved one’s story, whether it’s in print or all over the web.

An obituary is more than just an announcement. It’s a heartfelt way to honor someone’s life and share details about services, burial plans, and memorial donations. Plus, it’s a keepsake for the family and a treasure trove for those genealogy buffs down the line.

Traditionally, you’d find obituaries in local or national papers or through religious and community groups. These days, many newspapers also let you post obituaries on their websites—welcome to the digital age!

If you’re working with a funeral home, here’s a pro tip: ask if they handle obituary postings. Some include it as part of their service, while others may charge a small fee. Either way, letting them do the heavy lifting can make life a lot easier.

If you need to post an obituary by yourself, keep reading.

Where To Post An Obituary

There are a variety of publications where you can post an obituary for your loved ones, including:

• Local newspapers
• National newspapers
• Funeral home website
• Obituary websites
• Community publications
• Industry publications
• Church or religious publications
• Church website
• Social media
• And more!
  

Posting Obituaries In Newspapers

Obituaries announce the person has died and provide information on funeral or memorial services, where donations should be made in the name of the deceased, and minor biographical details.

An obituary will include the following information:

• Full name of the deceased (first name, middle name, last name, nickname, or any other name which the deceased may be known)
• Dates and locations of birth, marriage, and death
• Cause of death (optional)
• Schools attended
• Awards received
• Military service (if applicable)
• Membership in organizations (civic, religious, fraternal)
• Place of employment or business (positions held)
• Hobbies and special interest
• Name of spouse or significant other
• Family members and special friends left behind (parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc.)
• Family members who preceded him in death
• The viewing, funeral and memorial announcement, burial or interment information
• Details for sending flowers or making donations on behalf of the deceased

The obituary may be submitted to the newspaper at least three days before the funeral by any family member of the deceased or by anybody who is acting on the family’s behalf, such as a friend or the funeral director.

Obituaries are subject to verification with a funeral home or crematorium before publication. If you are not working with a funeral home, you must provide the mortuary or medical donation program number. If you do not have this information, you must submit a copy of the death certificate.

Most newspapers charge a fee for posting obituaries, though some smaller local papers may not.  Some publications charge by word count, while others charge by the number of lines or number of inches printed.

How To Post An Obituary In Printed Newspapers

Here are the steps you should follow if you want to post the obituary in printed newspapers:

STEP 1: Determine which papers you want to post the obituary

Make a list of local publications or national newspapers you wish to publish the obituary. Consider the location where your loved one spent a significant amount of time when he is living to determine the local newspaper to publish. Also, consider publications with national circulation if your loved one is popular.

If you want to know the newspapers in your area, you can go to the death notice website Legacy.com. They provide a copy of different newspaper publications by state and links to their website. They also offer instructions on submitting an obituary to your chosen newspaper and the link to the newspaper’s obituary section.

STEP 2: Do some research

Go to the newspaper’s website. Most papers have a link on their site directing people to submit an obituary, usually under the heading “Obituaries.” They typically have the procedure on obituary posting listed on their website.

Check the newspaper’s website to find all the information you need and links to forms you need to fill in. If you don’t see information online regarding the submission of obituaries, call the obituary editor directly.

Call or email the newspaper to know the following:

1. What is the cost of posting an obituary?
2. How are the costs computed? (Is it per line, character, or per inch?
3. Is space between words considered a character?
4. Do they charge extra for a photograph?
5. Do they have formatting requirements that you should follow?
6. Do they need to speak with a funeral director or ask for a copy of the death certificate before they post the obituary?
7. When is the deadline for submitting the text for the obituary?
8. How do you submit the text for the obituary? (Do you need to send an email, or do you need to be in-person to submit?
9. What file type should you use for the text and photograph for email submission? (Submitting the wrong file type may cause a delay in publication, leading to the obituary not being published on time.)

Depending on the newspaper, they may have a specific requirement for format and the length of the text for submission and submission deadlines for a particular print date. Generally, obituary text should be submitted two or three days before publication.

Tell the newspaper that you are only looking for a quote if you only want a price quote for the obituary. Also, mention whether you include a photo or a logo and how many days you want the obituary printed.

STEP 3: Make a cost comparison before evaluating your options

After calling and emailing newspapers to ask for pricing, compare the cost to post an obituary. Also, ask when their deadline is for submitting the text and photo for the obituary. Compare the price to determine which newspaper best fits your budget.

STEP 4: Proofread your text before submission

Read the draft of the obituary. Let a family member or a friend proofread the text and ask for feedback. Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Ensure the spelling of your relatives’ and friends’ names in the obituary are correct. Rewrite the text if necessary.

Ensure personal information like birthdays, mother’s maiden name, and residential address are not included in the text to prevent identity theft.

STEP 5: Submit the obituary to the newspaper

Once you are satisfied with the text of the obituary, it is now time to submit the obituary to the newspaper or newspapers. Submit the text and photo via email or personal submission to the paper. Ask to see the obituary before the newspaper post it to ensure that all the information is correct.

Pricing And Other Details

Some newspapers may charge a fee for posting an obituary in their paper, while others may offer free obituaries. Their pricing for publishing an obituary may differ from one publication to the next. They may charge extra for attaching a photo and for text that exceeds their word count.

The cost of posting an obituary varies by newspaper and location. Most newspaper pricing depends on the country they are located in. Typically, it’s more expensive to post in newspapers in the cities.

Most newspapers charge per line (about 50-60 characters per line) per day. Attaching a photo may incur an extra charge, but the photo charge is part of the lineage to some.

Pay attention to the file format when submitting photos. Most editors require a PDF and JPG format for online submission and a hard copy for in-person submission. Check the website, email, or call the editor before submitting your text and photo. Correct formatting will help ensure the obituary will be published on time.

Noon others must receive obituary submission through email have a 3:00 pm deadline. The newspaper will usually ask you for the following information when you submit your text and photo:

• Your name
• Your phone number
• Your address
• The exact text of the obituary you want to be printed
• Any photo or photos you would like printed
• The name of the funeral home or mortuary taking care of arrangements
• The phone number of the funeral home taking care of arrangements
• The name and phone number of the mortuary or crematorium if you are not working with a funeral home
• The date you would like to see your obituary printed

The newspaper editor will contact you to verify the cost of your obituary before its final approval is posted in the newspaper.

Advantages Of Printed Obituaries

Printed obituaries in newspapers, magazines, and journals are the traditional method of getting the word out about your loved one’s death. Although online obituaries are gaining popularity, printed obituaries still have advantages over online mediums.

Printed obituaries are not just a notice of death; it’s a life story preserved to ensure that the world remembers them. Printed obituaries can be put in a scrapbook and kept as a remembrance of the deceased loved one.

Posting obituary in newspapers reaches the people who have a connection to the deceased, especially those in the elderly population who are not tech-savvy and still rely on newspapers to read the news.

Obituary in the newspaper is tangible, and you can look for it whenever you’re moved to cherish those memories. If you post an online obituary on social media, they will be buried down the timeline, and it will be difficult for people to find them again in the future.

Printed obituaries are not open for public commentary, unlike online obituaries that can be populated with internet trolls who delight in posting hurtful and inappropriate comments that can make your life miserable.

Newspaper obituaries become part of history that future generations can use to research family genealogy. Genealogy work is possible by accessing newspaper obituaries online and in local public libraries.

How To Post An Obituary Online

Online obituaries are now the thing in the funeral industry. Having an obituary online can save family hundreds of dollars because it costs less than the traditional newspaper obituary. Online obituary stays online longer than just having it run in the newspapers for a day or two. 

Here are the steps for posting an online obituary:

STEP 1: Look for online resources to publish your loved one’s obituary. Perform an internet search to look for appropriate places to post your loved one’s obituary. Some of the resources you can put the obituary online include:

• Funeral home website
• Newspapers
• Church
• Community organizations
• Fraternal organizations
• Online obituary websites
• Social media

STEP 2: Inquire with your funeral home, crematorium, or mortuary

Many funeral homes, crematoriums, or mortuaries publish an obituary on their website as part of their services.

STEP 3: Inquire about the cost of posting an obituary online

After determining the website to publish the online obituary, call or email to inquire about the cost of posting an online obituary. Many sites offer the opportunity to post your loved one’s obituary for free.

STEP 4: Ask about the requirements and procedures for online posting

Ask the page admin for the requirements and procedure for posting the obituary online. Ask about the file type for the photo and if they have a format for the text.

STEP 5: Submit a copy of the text and photo for online posting

Some websites will require you to submit a copy of the text and pictures for online posting. While other websites will allow you to create an online obituary for your loved one on their site.

Paid online obituary sites generally allow you to put unlimited text and photos, custom music, and stunning full-screen backgrounds. They also have a guestbook and social features that will allow you to connect with family and friends.

Advantages Of Posting Online Obituaries Over Printed Obituaries

• A newspaper is a throw-away item; if the obituary is saved, it can become lost or damaged over the years. While online obituary can be accessed anytime online. Family and friends can print the online obituary on a better-quality paper to preserve it.

• Online obituaries are less expensive than printed obituaries in newspapers. Some websites even offer their services for free.

• You have complete control over the length of the text in an online obituary. Your word count is limited to newspaper obituary because of the cost of printing. You can write the text to your heart’s content with online obituaries.

• Obituaries posted online are more visually appealing than printed obituaries. The newspaper’s layout is confined to black and white, while online obituaries have a wide variety of colors, themes, and fonts to choose from. You can create a customized obituary that reflects your loved one’s personality.

• Online obituaries are interactive compared with traditional printed obituaries. Family and friends can share stories and fond memories of your loved one. They can also post photos and videos wherever they are.

• Online obituaries can be easily shared. The online obituary on any website can be shared with any social media platform like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, allowing more people to know about the death of your loved one. Printed obituary in the newspapers is limited to where the paper is circulated.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I post an obituary?

There is no one “right” way to deal with death and grief. Some people find comfort in sharing their loved one’s stories with others, while others prefer to keep their memories private. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to post an obituary is a personal one.

How important is an obituary?

While an obituary is not required, it can be a helpful way to share information about your loved one’s life with friends and family. An obituary can also be a way to let others know about funeral or memorial services.

What should I include in an obituary?

An obituary should include basic information about your loved one, such as their name, date of birth, and date of death. You can also include information about their family, education, work history, hobbies, and any other information you feel is important.

What do you say when you post an obituary?

When you post an obituary, you can include a brief message about your loved one. This could be a quote, a poem, or simply a few words about how they will be missed.

How can I post an obituary for free?

There are a few ways to post an obituary for free. You can post it on a personal website or blog, social media sites like Facebook, or a free obituary website.

Is there a charge to post an obituary?

In some cases, there may be a charge to post an obituary. This is usually the case if you post it in a newspaper or other publication.

How do you publish an obituary?

If you want to publish an obituary, you can submit it to a local newspaper or other publication. You can also post it on a personal website or social media site.

How late can you publish an obituary?

There is no set time limit for publishing an obituary. However, most people choose to do it soon after the death of their loved ones. This allows friends and family members to read the obituary and share their condolences.

Who writes the obituary when someone dies?

The obituary can be written by a family member, friend, or funeral home staff member. In some cases, the deceased person may have written their own obituary before dying.

How do you announce the death on social media?

When you announce the death on social media, you can either post a statement or write an obituary. If you choose to post an obituary, you can do so on a personal website, blog, or social media site.

How do I post an obituary on Facebook?

You can post an obituary on Facebook by creating a post and including the obituary in the text. You can also create a photo album with pictures of your loved one and include the obituary in the album description.

What is an obituary template?

An obituary template is a pre-written document that can be used to create an obituary. Obituary templates typically include basic information about the deceased, such as their name, date of birth, and date of death. They may also include space for a brief message about the person.

How do you announce the death on a social media sample?

“We are sorry to announce the death of our beloved ________. ________ passed away on _____ at the age of _____. ________ was a wonderful person who will be deeply missed by all who knew them. A funeral service will be held on _____ at _____.”

What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?

An obituary is a longer, more detailed article that tells the story of a person’s life. A death notice is a brief announcement of a person’s death, typically with funeral service information.

Do people read obituaries anymore?

Yes, people still read obituaries. Many people use obituaries to learn about the death of a loved one or friend. Obituaries can also be a way to find out about funeral or memorial services.

What is the best day to publish an obituary?

The best day to publish an obituary is typically the day after the person’s death. This allows friends and family members to read the obituary and share their condolences.

What is the best time to publish an obituary?

The best time to publish an obituary is typically in the morning. This allows people to read the obituary and share their condolences before the day gets too busy.

What should you not include in an obituary?

An obituary should not include sensitive information about the deceased, such as the cause of death. It should also not include negative comments about the person. Additionally, an obituary should not be used to air grievances about the deceased.

Do newspapers edit obituaries?

Most newspapers may sometimes edit obituaries for length and clarity if you request this service. However, they typically will not change the meaning of the original text.

What is the average length of an obituary?

The average length of an obituary is about 200 words. However, there is no set length for an obituary. Some may be shorter, while others may be much longer.

Is an obituary a public record?

Yes, an obituary is a public record. This means that anyone can request a copy of the obituary from the funeral home or newspaper where it was published.

What are some common obituary mistakes?

Common obituary mistakes include misspellings, incorrect dates, and missing important information. Additionally, many people forget to proofread their obituary before it is published, leading to further mistakes.

How do you write a good obituary?

There is no one way to write a good obituary. However, some tips for writing a good obituary include being concise, using proper grammar, and proofreading the text. Additionally, it is important to ensure that all the important information about the deceased is included.

Is it appropriate to share an obituary on Facebook?

Yes, it is appropriate to share an obituary on Facebook. You can create a post and include the obituary in the text, or you can create a photo album with pictures of your loved one and include the obituary in the album description.

How do you write sad news about death?

When writing sad news about death, it is important to be respectful and concise. You should avoid overly dramatic language and not share any sensitive information about the deceased. Additionally, you should avoid making any negative comments about the person.

How do you write a funeral post on Facebook?

When writing a funeral post on Facebook, you should include the service’s date, time, and location. You can also share a photo of the deceased and include a brief message about their life. Additionally, you should invite people to share their memories of the person in the comments section.

What is a good obituary headline?

A good obituary headline should be concise and informative. It should include the deceased’s name and their dates of birth and death. Additionally, it should be clear that the person has passed away.

Why are obituaries so expensive?

The word typically charges obituaries, so they can be expensive depending on how long they are. Additionally, many newspapers have a minimum fee for obituaries, regardless of length. Funeral homes may also charge a fee for writing and submitting an obituary to a newspaper.

How do you include family in an obituary?

When writing an obituary, you should include the names of the deceased’s immediate family members. You can also include the names of surviving siblings, grandparents, and other relatives. Additionally, you can mention any close friends who were like family to the deceased.

Should an ex-wife be mentioned in an obituary?

It is not necessary to mention an ex-wife in an obituary. However, if the deceased had children with their ex-wife, you may want to include her in the obituary so that people know about this relationship.

What do you say at the end of an obituary?

The end of an obituary is typically a brief statement about the deceased’s survivors. For example, you may say, “John is survived by his wife, Jane, and their two children.” Additionally, you may include a brief message about how the deceased will be missed.

How much does it cost to put a picture in the obituary?

There is no standard cost for adding a picture to an obituary. However, many newspapers charge an additional fee for pictures, so it is best to check with the newspaper beforehand. Additionally, funeral homes may also charge a fee for submitting a photo along with the obituary.

Can you write your own obituary?

Yes, you can write your own obituary. However, it is best to have someone else proofread it for accuracy. Additionally, many newspapers require that an obituary be submitted by a funeral home or the deceased’s family.

Are newspaper obituaries copyrighted?

No, newspaper obituaries are not copyrighted. However, they may be subject to some restrictions, such as length or format.