Home › Guides › Funeral Planning & Arrangements › Write and Submit Obituary
Write and Submit Obituary
Funeral Planning & Arrangements
An obituary is a public notice announcing a person's death and sharing key details about their life and any services. This task involves gathering accurate information, drafting the obituary, selecting where it will be published, and submitting it for posting. Obituaries are often published through a funeral home, newspaper, or online memorial site, and may involve review or approval by family members. Once published, save a final copy for records and future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs
How much does a newspaper obituary cost?
Newspaper obituary costs vary widely: small local papers may charge $50-$200, while major metropolitan papers can charge $300-$1,500+ depending on length. Most papers charge per line or per word. A typical obituary of 200-300 words costs $200-$500 in a mid-sized paper. Online-only obituaries on sites like Legacy.com are often free or low cost ($10-$50) and reach a wider audience.
Process
What should an obituary include?
A standard obituary includes: full legal name and any nicknames, date and place of birth, date and place of death, names of immediate surviving family members, brief life highlights (career, education, military service, hobbies), service details (date, time, location), and any special requests (memorial donations in lieu of flowers). Keep the tone personal—share a characteristic or memory that captures who they were.
Options
Where should I publish the obituary?
Publish in the local newspaper where the deceased lived, and consider papers in cities where they grew up or had strong ties. Post free online at Legacy.com, EverLoved.com, or the funeral home's website. Share on the deceased's social media accounts. For broader reach, many funeral homes will distribute the obituary to multiple outlets on your behalf.
Timeline
How quickly do I need to submit the obituary?
If you want the obituary published before the funeral or memorial service, submit it at least 2-3 days in advance. Most newspapers require 24-48 hours of lead time. There is no legal deadline—some families publish weeks or months later when they are ready. The funeral home can help you draft and place the obituary quickly if time is short.