Example of a Death Announcement

Types of Death Notification and Announcement

Letting people know about the death of a loved one is never easy. Deciding what to say, who to notify and in what order, whilst you are also in the midst of grief, can be overwhelming.

There are a number of ways to make a announcement or notification of death. The format, tone, and content can vary widely depending on where it is being shared, who the audience is, and personal preferences. From formal newspaper notices to heartfelt social media posts, the choice ultimately reflects the personality of the deceased and the needs of their family.

Notifying immediate family and close friends is very different to making a more public announcement that goes out to the the wider community.

To find out more, please see Ways to Announce a Death.

Here are examples of death announcements and notifications to guide you, along with suggestions for crafting announcements that feel personal, appropriate, and sensitive.

Traditional Death Announcements

These formal announcements are often used in newspapers or printed memorial notices. They are concise and structured, focusing on key details about the deceased and the funeral arrangements.

Example 1:

George Samuel Elliot Smith

George died peacefully at home on 20th June 2024, aged 86, following a short illness.

He was the dearly beloved husband of Sarah and loving father of Tom and Annie. He was also the much-loved grandfather of Jamie and Alice. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

His funeral service will take place on the 29th June 2024 at St Luke’s Church, London SW3 0BL at 10.30am, followed by the committal. Family and friends are welcome.

A reception will be held afterwards at the Memorial Club, Church Road SW3 0BN. No flowers, please. Charitable donations, if desired, can be made to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Example 2:

Margaret Jane Thompson (née Brown)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Jane Thompson on 4th January 2025 at the age of 82. A devoted wife to John for 52 years, Margaret was a cherished mother to Helen and Andrew and a doting grandmother to Emily, Jack, and Grace.

Margaret was a passionate teacher and an avid gardener who touched the lives of all who knew her with her warmth and kindness. Her devotion and dedication to her charitable work with the NSPCC spanned over 30 years.

A funeral service for Margaret will be held at St Mary’s Church, Oxford, on 14th January at 2.00pm. Family and friends are welcome to join us to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or the NSPCC.

Social Media Announcements

Social media announcements can reach a broader audience quickly and often allow for a more informal and personal tone. They may include requests for tributes or a link to a memorial page.

Example 3: A Personal Social Media Post

With heavy hearts, we share that our beloved father, Michael James Carter, died on 15th July 2022, aged 72. As many of you will know, dad was a kind and generous man who loved his family dearly and made everyone around him smile.

We invite friends and loved ones to celebrate his life at St Andrew’s Church, Leeds, on 22nd July at 11.30am. Please wear something bright in his honour.

For those unable to attend, feel free to leave a memory or photo in the comments or visit his memorial page [link to page].

Example 4: A Brief Announcement for a Younger Audience

We are heartbroken to announce that our dear friend, Emily Rose Harper, died suddenly on 10th November 2024.

Emily brought joy, laughter, and light into every room she entered and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Please join us for a celebration of her life at The Rose Garden Café, Manchester, on 30th November 2024 at 3.00pm. Let’s honour her memory together in the way she would have wanted – with laughter, colour and companionship.

Obituary-style Announcements

These announcements tend to be longer and provide more biographical detail. They are often published online or in print. They remember and honour the deceased’s life and contributions.

Example 5: A Tribute in an Obituary

Alexander “Alex” Peter Wright (1952–2024)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Alex Wright on 2nd September 2024, aged 71. Born in Birmingham, Alex spent his career as an engineer, dedicating over 40 years to innovative design and problem-solving. With his work, Alex travelled and lived around the world, spending happy 10 years in Hong Kong and then Singapore.

An avid cyclist, Alex loved the open road and just last year cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats, raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Alex also found joy in mentoring young engineers, encouraging and guiding them in their careers.

His laughter, wisdom, and adventurous spirit will live on in the hearts of his wife Mary, daughters Jane and Laura, and his grandchildren Ethan and Mia.

A private funeral will be held at his family’s request. To honour Alex’s love for the outdoors, donations may be made to the National Parks Foundation.

Informal or Family-focused Announcements

These are often shared within close family circles or among friends, using a more casual tone.

Example 6: An Informal Message for Close Friends

Dear friends,

We are deeply saddened to share that our wonderful mother, Anna Louise Grant, passed away on 18th November 2024 at the age of 89. Mum was a remarkable woman who lived a full and vibrant life.

We will be holding a small family gathering in her honour on 25th November. If you’d like to share a memory or story about Mum, please do – it would mean so much to us.

Warm regards,

The Grant Family

Example 7: A Family Group Email

Subject: Sad News

Dear Family,

It’s with heavy hearts that we let you know that our beloved grandfather, Thomas John Wilson, died yesterday morning. He lived a long and happy life and was surrounded by love in his final days.

We’re planning a remembrance service on 10th December at St Luke’s Chapel, Bath. If you are able to, you are welcome to join us. Please let us know if you will be there.

With love,

Jessica and James

Announcements with Invitations for Tributes

Encouraging tributes and memories can create a collective space of support and shared reflection.

Example 8: Inviting Tributes on a Memorial Page

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Daniel Arthur Smith, aged 68, on 5th February 2024.

Daniel was a loving husband, father, and friend who touched countless lives. To celebrate his legacy, we invite you to share your memories and tributes on his memorial page [insert link]. These stories will bring comfort to our family as we navigate this difficult time.

Examples of Death Notification Messages by Audience

1. For Immediate Family

If at all possible, for immediate family, share the news in person or by phone. This personal touch is important and ensures that you can gauge their response and offer support and information.

If it is not possible to speak to the person, make sure the message is both sensitive and compassionate. You could say, “I am sorry not to be able to tell you in person, but hope that you will understand under the circumstances. Mum passed away peacefully in her sleep last night. She was surrounded by love and warmth and in the home that she loved.”

Share a memory or highlight a special quality of the deceased to create a more intimate connection.

If you can, offer support, “I’m here for you, and we’ll get through this together.”

2. Siblings

Siblings usually have an individual relationship with each other, intertwined with emotional experiences and memories. Acknowledging this shared grief is important. Once the news has been shared in the appropriate way, it is lovely to be able to continue the connection and network of support.

One message could be, “I can’t believe that John is no longer here with us to share in our lives. Remember that time when he made us laugh until we cried? Let’s all stay together and support one another.”

An inside joke or a cherished memory honours your shared history. It helps you stay connected, even during moments of grief.

3. For Close Friends

A heartfelt message to close friends can reflect the friendship shared. You might write, “I’m heartbroken to tell you that Sarah died earlier this week. She really valued your friendship, and I know she’d want us to lean on one another now.”

Inviting friends to share their own memories can be comforting, and being available for support can be a great benefit. You could say “I know that you knew about her ongoing illness, but I also know that her death will still come as a great shock. Let’s get together sometime and just talk about all the wonderful times we had with her.”

4. For Colleagues

If at all possible, inform colleagues in person. If timing, the size of the company, or other logistics will not allow for this, let people know as soon as possible in writing or by phone.

When writing to colleagues, you need to be professional while being compassionate. A message like, “It is with deep sorrow that I announce the death of John. He was not only a colleague, but also a friend to many of us. We’ll miss his humour and kindness.”

This message can be expanded and adapted as necessary and may include details of the memorial service so that colleagues can, if they wish, pay their respects.

5. For Distant Relatives or Friends

For those who were not as close, a slightly more concise message may suffice. “I wanted to let you know that Uncle David died last night following a short illness. We will miss him deeply. If you would like to share a memory or connect more, please do get in touch.”

This recognises their relationship and also keeps the door to communication open. Though these messages were short, they made room for distant connections to offer their condolences.

Responding to Messages of Condolence

It is always lovely to receive messages of empathy and condolence, but responding to these can take a great deal of time an effort at a time when you maybe still be in shock and are grieving. Most people will not expect a reply, they just want you to know that they are thinking of you, but if you wish, you could send a standard acknowledgement to anyone who writes.

Here are some suggestions:

“Thank you for your lovely message, it means a great deal to us to know how loved [name] was. We will miss [him/her/them] so very much, but take comfort in knowing how many lives [he/she/they] touched.”

“Thank you for your kind message, it means a lot to us at this very sad time. We will miss [name, relationship] terribly, but having your support is a great comfort.”

If you have already made arrangements, you could also let people know when and where the funeral will be taking place, or, if it has not yet been decided, where you will be posting details.

It’s also an opportunity to direct people to a memorial page, if there is one, where they can post photos and share memories.

We hope that this information has been helpful. You can find out more about what to do when someone dies, plus guidance on how to plan a funeral in the Information section of whiteballoon.