In the event of bereavement, we often come across the terms obituary and obituary. Both serve to pay tribute to the deceased and play a role in announcing a death, but they differ fundamentally in purpose, content and form. This article explains the most important differences and helps you to choose the right format.
The key differences: A death notice is a brief, formal announcement of the death with practical information about the funeral. An obituary, on the other hand, is a more detailed tribute to the life, work, and personality of the deceased, often also in the context of grief processing.
Death Notice: Formal Announcement
A death notice is primarily a formal announcement of a death. Its main purpose is to inform a wider circle of people about the loss and to communicate necessary practical details.
- Typical Content: Name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, information about the funeral or memorial service (place, date, time), names of the immediate survivors, possibly a short verse of condolence.
- Format and Length: Short and concise, often limited to the essentials (e.g., a quarter or half newspaper page).
- Place of Publication: Traditionally in local or national daily newspapers, increasingly also on online memorial portals like ours.
- Author/Client: Almost always the close relatives (family), often in collaboration with the funeral home.
Obituary: Detailed Tribute and Part of Grieving
An obituary goes beyond mere information. It serves to pay detailed tribute to the life, personality, achievements, and work of the deceased. An obituary can thus also be an important part of grief processing for the wider circle (e.g., colleagues, club members, friends), as it helps to reflect on the life and say goodbye together.
- Typical Content: Overview of their life path, special achievements (professional or private), character traits, hobbies, anecdotes, significance to a community (company, club, etc.), expression of grief and loss from the authors' perspective.
- Format and Length: Significantly more detailed than a death notice, can comprise several paragraphs or, for prominent individuals, entire articles.
- Place of Publication: Newspapers (often in the editorial section or as paid advertisements by organizations), professional journals, club newsletters, online media, memorial websites.
- Author/Client: Often employers, clubs, organizations, colleagues, or friends. Less commonly the family itself (they are more likely to place the death notice). For public figures, also written by newspaper editorial staff. Writing an obituary therefore often requires a deeper knowledge of the person beyond the family circle.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Death Notice | Obituary |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Information & Announcement | Tribute & Remembrance |
| Content | Facts (Names, Dates, Location) | Life Story, Character, Achievements |
| Length | Short, concise | Detailed |
| Author / Client | Usually Family | Often Employers, Clubs, Friends, Editorial Staff |
| Timing | Immediately after death | Shortly after death, but also possible later |
| Cost | $200-$1,200 (Print) / from $0 (Digital) | Variable (Often free if editorial, paid if an advertisement) |
When is Each Format Appropriate?
The two formats are not mutually exclusive but can complement each other very well:
- A death notice is essential to promptly inform about the death and funeral details. It quickly reaches a wide audience.
- An obituary is suitable for a more in-depth tribute to the life and work of the deceased. It offers space for personal words and memories that go beyond mere information and supports grieving in the wider community.
Sometimes, elements of an obituary are also integrated into a more comprehensive death notice, especially in digital formats.
Digital Options: Combining Death Notices and Obituaries
Our platform offers you the flexibility to create a digital death notice that can also include elements of an obituary if desired. This way, in addition to basic information, you can also elaborate on the life of the deceased. The advantages of digital formats are:
- Easy and quick creation, ready to be shared immediately.
- Option for an online condolence book for expressions of sympathy.
- More flexibility in length, design, and content.
- Creation of a permanent digital memorial space.
- Often significantly cheaper than a newspaper advertisement.
Design a Digital Death Notice here
Frequently Asked Questions about Obituaries (FAQ)
- Who writes or commissions an obituary?
- While death notices usually come from the family, obituaries are often written by employers, clubs, organizations, or colleagues to honor the achievements and personality in their respective contexts. For well-known individuals, newspaper editorial staff also write obituaries.
- What does an obituary cost?
- The costs vary. Editorial obituaries in newspapers are often free. If obituaries are placed as advertisements by organizations or companies, they are paid. The cost of private obituaries depends on the chosen medium.
- Is an obituary the same as a eulogy?
- No. An obituary is a written text that is usually published (newspaper, online). A eulogy is a spoken tribute delivered during the memorial service or funeral to commemorate the deceased.
- Can you combine a death notice and an obituary?
- Yes, this is particularly feasible with digital formats. You can combine the basic information of a death notice with more detailed, commemorative elements of an obituary.