Death notice
Fill in the details and the notice writes itself as you type. Print it, or copy the text into WhatsApp, email or a community list.
What you type stays on your device: nothing is sent or saved.
The notice
With great sorrow we announce the death of
Margaret Ellis
The family
No memorial page yet? You can create one for free, tell their story there and gather the memories people share this week. A one-time payment opens it to others; then its link can go in the notice. Create a memorial page
What a notice should say
- The name people used, and a nickname or a maiden name, if that is how many knew them.
- Who they were to the family, such as “beloved wife of David, mother of Anna and Sam”, so that friends of the children know whose parent has died.
- The funeral’s time and place, and where to meet if it is not obvious.
- Where the family will sit shiva, and when. If it is not known yet, “details of the shiva to follow” is fine.
- Donations instead of flowers, if the family prefers. Jewish funerals do not traditionally have flowers.
More wording (a short message, a condolence notice from a workplace, an unveiling invitation) is in our guide to death notice wording. The Hebrew date of the yahrzeit can be found here.
Common questions
What is the difference between an obituary and a death notice?
A death notice announces the death and the funeral arrangements in a few lines. An obituary tells the story of the person’s life. The notice comes first; the story can follow, on a memorial page or in a eulogy.
How soon should a death notice go out?
Jewish funerals are usually held within a day or two, so the notice goes out within hours, often by message first and in print after.
What if the shiva details are not known yet?
Write “details of the shiva to follow” in the “Another line” box, and send an update once they are known.