Funeral Announcements – 10 Things to Include in a Funeral Announcement

A funeral announcement is a way of letting your family, friends and acquaintances know of the passing of a loved one. You can make it as varied as you wish. You can be very formal, by using a printed or engraved invitation to the funeral service. Alternatively, you can make it simple, by sending an email. Funeral announcements may appear in the newspaper in the obituary section.

Unless you have written the notice ahead of time, it is always difficult to compose your thoughts and write a funeral announcement while you are grieving. This list of what to include in a funeral announcement will help you to write the funeral announcement and not forget anything.

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Writing a Funeral Announcement for the Newspaper or for a Card

When writing the funeral notice for the newspaper you can use this list to compose announcement. It is very similar to a printed notice. You should include:

1. Name of the deceased. You should include the person’s full name and any associated titles. If the person is female and was married, it is a good idea to include her maiden name. This will help people to remember.
2. Residence of the deceased. It is also a good idea to include where the person lived.
3. Surviving family. Include all members of the surviving family, spouse, children, siblings, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, if any. This will help, if someone who is acquainted only with a member of the surviving family reads the notice.
4. Where they worked. It is a good idea to include the place of employment.
5. Funeral date, time and place. If this information is not available when you prepare the funeral announcement, you can include the words: "Funeral service information to follow."
6. Clergy for the funeral. Include this information if available.
7. Memorial or floral contribution. Let people know whether or not floral contributions will be accepted or you want donations to be sent to a favorite charity.
8. Picture. Always nice to include a picture of the deceased.
9. Private or Public Funeral. Let people know if you plan to have a private family-only funeral or it will be open to the public.
10. Memorial Service information. If you are planning a memorial service only, it is a good idea to include this in the notice. If you are planning a funeral service now and a memorial service later, also include this information.

Funeral Announcement Examples

The following two examples of funeral announcements include the important funeral arrangement information that people need to know when someone passes away. Use these examples as a template when writing a funeral announcement for the newspaper or to send out to friends and family. You may be limited by space and line length. Consult your local newspaper or print out one funeral announcement card to be sure of the space you have before you start to write the announcement.

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Funeral Announcement Example for a Newspaper

Samantha Lorrie passed away suddenly on November 26, 2009 at the age of 55. Loving and devoted wife to Joshua, they were married for 22 years and lived in Gilroy. Funeral services will take place on December 4, 2009 at St. Barnabas, Airline Highway in Tres Pinos, at 2:00 PM. Floral tributes may be sent.

Funeral Announcement Example for a Card or Notice

Jessica Malone is sad to announce the death or her husband, James Malone, who died peacefully in his home on November 22, 2009. He was 76 years old and worked for the Santa Clara County Department of Health. James was an avid fan of the San Francisco 49ers. Friends and family will miss him.

Funeral Services will be held on November 30, 2009 at 4:00 PM, Rolling Hills Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Junior Giants Community Fund.