When you’ve just lost a loved one, it can be very hard to find the courage to write an announcement of their death for the newspapers. But announce it you must, so friends, colleagues, associates and more distant family will know of your loss and what the funeral arrangements are, so they can come and pay their respects. It is particularly effective for those friends that you may not have been in touch with for some time.

Ask for the ‘true’ cost of funeral notices placed by funeral directors

The cost of a funeral notice in most major newspapers is not cheap. What you don’t know, is that you may be charged for the cost of including their business logo.

That’s right! You may be paying for their advertising on your funeral notice. So next time you ask the funeral director to place a notice for you, ask them to charge you only for your notice and not their business logo: otherwise you will be paying for their advertising.

How to place a funeral notice today

To submit a death and funeral notice in Australia simply click the ‘PLACE A NOTICE’ button and follow the instructions.

You can build, schedule, and complete your notice in Australia yourself or Funeral Directors can submit a death notice on your behalf. Some funeral directors may charge a fee for this service, while others will no

Below, are some examples of different death notices and funeral notices to help you as part of the funeral process (as well as saving money at the same time).

Death Notice Examples in Australia

Death notices are placed by families and friends as a mark of respect and to offer condolences and sympathy.

DEATH NOTICE EXAMPLE – BEFORE A FUNERAL

SMITH Mary Jane of Newcastle aged 79 years.

Passed away peacefully/suddenly on 22 April 2022.

Dearly (beloved/loved) or (loved/loving) husband/wife of (Name) much loved (father/mother) and (father in law/mother in law) of (names). Cherished (grandfather/grandmother) of (names). Funeral details to be advised in (day/tomorrows/later) edition of the (Newspaper appearing).

DEATH NOTICE EXAMPLE – AFTER THE FUNERAL

SMITH Mary Jane of Newcastle aged 79 years passed away (peacefully/suddenly) on 23 January 2022.

Dearly (beloved/loved) or (loved/loving) husband/wife of (Name) much loved (father/mother) and (father in law/mother in law) of (names). Cherished (grandfather/grandmother) of (names). A private funeral was held on (day, date) at (name of church, chapel, crematorium, cemetery).


FUNERAL NOTICE EXAMPLES in Australia

A funeral notice is placed by the family, usually through the funeral director. It is an opportunity to publicly announce the death and funeral details of your loved one, and can also be used to pay tribute to the deceased. Details of where any donations or flowers can be sent may also be included.

Ask for the ‘true’ advertising cost of Funeral notices placed by Funeral Directors

The cost of a funeral notice in most major newspapers is not cheap. What you don’t know, is that most of the larger corporate brands will charge you for the cost of including their business logo. That’s right! You are paying for their advertising on your funeral notice. So next time you ask the funeral director to place a notice for you, ask them to charge you only for your notice and not their business logo: otherwise you will be paying for their advertising.

FUNERAL NOTICE EXAMPLE

SMITH Mary Jane of Newcastle aged 79 years.

Dearly (beloved/loved) or (loved/loving) husband/wife of (Name) much-loved (father/mother) and (father-in-law/mother-in-law) of (names).

Cherished (grandfather/grandmother) of (names) loved (brother/sister) and (brother-in-law/sister-in-law) of (names).

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a (Requiem Mass/funeral service) for Mary, which will be held in the (church/chapel) at (address in full) on (day, date) commencing at (time) to be followed by interment in the (cemetery).

No flowers by request, donations to the (Charity Organisation) appreciated.

FUNERAL NOTICE TEMPLATE

Below is a general template to writing a funeral notice. Simply fill in the blank spaces with the appropriate wording.

SURNAME (LAST NAME)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Christian Name/s (First Name/s)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(Known as (Nickname)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(Nee (Maiden Name)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

late / formerly of

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

passed away peacefully / suddenly on (Date)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

at ……………………………………………………………….. aged………….. years.

Beloved Wife / Husband of

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Devoted or Dearly Loved Mother / Mother-in law / Father / Father-in law of

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Cherished Grandmother / Great-Grandmother / Grandfather / Great-Grandfather of

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Loving Daughter / Daughter-in-law / Son / Son-in-law of

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Loved Sister and Sister-in-law / Brother and Brother-in-law of

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

and loved Aunt, Great-Aunt, / Uncle, Great-Uncle of

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

and their families.

Line of sentiment (if needed).

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend (First Name)

…………………………………………………’s

funeral to be held at

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

With Service / Prayers / Requiem Mass (for the repose of his / her soul)

commencing at (Time am/pm/midday)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

on (Day and Date)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

followed by

*interment / committal at

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

*Private family committal / Service at

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

*(No) Funeral Cortege (will travel via Pacific Highway)

No flowers by request, Donations (in lieu) to

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. preferred.

DEATH NOTICES IN AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS

Alternatively,  you can place a funeral, death or obituary notice in a newspaper in your city. This is a more expensive option.

NEW SOUTH WALES NEWSPAPERS

  • Mosman Daily
  • North Shore Times
  • The Daily Telegraph
  • Wentworth Courier
  • The Sydney Morning Herald
  • Canberra Times
  • The Observer
  • The Weekly Times
  • The Daily Telegraph

VICTORIA NEWSPAPERS

  • Herald Sun
  • Geelong Advertiser
  • Sunday Herald Sun
  • The Weekly Times
  • The Age
  • The Observer

SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEWSPAPERS

  • Sunday Mail SA
  • The Advertiser
  • The Observer

WESTERN AUSTRALIA NEWSPAPERS

  • The West Australian
  • WA Today
  • Mandurah Mail

TASMANIA NEWSPAPERS

  • Hobart Mercury
  • Sunday Tasmanian
  • The Observer

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Peter Erceg is the Owner and Founder of eziFunerals. He has had a long history within the funeral industry, and is a published author of ‘What Kind Of Funeral: A self help guide to planning a meaningful funeral’. Prior to eziFunerals, Peter worked in the public sector and health industry for more than 30 years. The views and opinions expressed on posts are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of eziFunerals and members.