When a loved one passes away, families often wonder whether to publish a death notice vs obituary. Although these terms are often used together, but they serve different purposes, almost all the time they carry different tones, and follow their own publishing rules especially in the UK, US, and Canada.

This guide breaks down the key differences between death notices and obituaries with simple explanations, cost comparison, examples, platform choices, and when to use each which will help you plan for funeral in a better way and choose for yourself.

What Is a Death Notice? And what is it used for?

Definition: It is normally considered as a formal death announcement. Death notices are short, factual, and direct almost all the times except sometimes. It shares essential details only. It consists of

• Name
• Details of the address and family members
• Significant dates
• Funeral details

1. Where are death notices published?

Published mainly in newspapers & funeral websites. Most common in UK local newspapers, funeral home pages, and online platforms.

2. Usually paid in print

Newspapers in the UK and US charge based on word count or column size.

3. When is it ideally used?

Death notice obituaries are ideally used to inform the community quickly and it is a fast and accessible way to do that. Helps notify acquaintances, colleagues, and local connections.

What Is an Obituary And when is it used?

Definition: An Obituary is generally a longer tribute that tells the person’s story about their family life, achievements and friends as well.

It Covers who they were, what they loved, their life milestones, and legacy.

1.Can be emotional, personal, and expressive–mainly could be of different tones based on the person writing

Difference between obituaries and death notices is mainly obituaries allows families to honour their loved one in a meaningful way.

2.More common online today

Platforms in the UK/US like online memorial sites allow free or low-cost posting. There are different sites where online obituaries are made simple to use and also consists of modern day features like: including images, adding comments, giving tributes, and adding videos as well.

3. Stronger long-term visibility

Obituaries online appear in search results, helping global friends/family find them. Death notice obituaries are all different ways to show gratitude to the loved ones and both of them serve different purposes though both of them goes hand in hand, but obituaries have a lot of expanded use than from death notices whereas death notices are formal and to the point and help in communicating quickly to the people.

Death Notice vs Obituary Example

Death Notice Example (Short & Formal)

John Smith, aged 78, passed away on 4 December 2025. Funeral service will be held on 10 December at St. Mary’s Church, Birmingham at 11 AM. All are welcome.

Obituary Example (Long & Personal)

John Smith (1947–2025) was a devoted father, teacher, and lover of classical music…
(A full life story continues explaining achievements, family, hobbies, legacy.)

Detailed Comparison: Tone, Purpose, Cost & Publishing Rules

1. Tone

• Death Notice:
  – Neutral, factual, to-the-point.

• Obituary:
  – Personal, warm, expressive, reflective.

2. Purpose

• Death Notice:
  – Notify death + share funeral details.

• Obituary:
  – Celebrate the life story + preserve memories.

3. Cost

• Death Notice:
  – Higher cost in newspapers (UK regional papers can charge £80 – £250+).

• Obituary:
  – Can be free online, paid in major US newspapers (£150 – £600 equivalent).

4. Reach

• Death Notice:
  – Local readers; limited unless also put online.

• Obituary:
  – National and global reach when published online.

5. Publishing Rules (UK/US)

• Death Notice:
  – Needs official confirmation of death (funeral home or family).
  – Follow newspaper formatting rules.
• Obituary:
  – No strict rules; family writes freely.
  – Newspapers may edit for length or clarity.

When Should I Choose a Death Notice vs Obituary?

You Choose a Death Notice if: 

• You need a formal announcement.

• You want to share funeral or visitation details.

• You prefer something short and affordable.

You Choose an Obituary if: 

• You want to honour your loved one’s life story.

• You want searchable long-term online presence.

• You prefer warmer tone and personal expression.

• Writing an obituary is really simple and can help you express your emotions in a healthy manner as well

Comparison Table to choose between Death notice vs obituaries.

Category	Death notice	obituary
Purpose	Formal announcement of a person’s death; shares essential details.	Celebrates the person’s life story; provides a narrative tribute.
Tone	Short and factual in a formal tone	Warm, descriptive, emotional, personal.
Length	Very brief (2–6 lines).	Longer (200–500+ words).
Cost	Usually lower; often charged by line/word; minimal content. £80 – £250+	Usually higher; longer content and photo increase cost. (£150 – £600 equivalent)
Information included	Name, age, date of death, funeral details, service timings.	Biography, achievements, relationships, hobbies, personality, legacy.
Publishing rules	Follows strict formatting; newspapers verify basic details.	Flexible style; newspapers may edit; online platforms are more open.

 

Understanding the difference between death notice and obituary helps families choose the right way to honour their loved one. A death notice serves as a formal announcement, while an obituary preserves memories and reaches a wider audience especially online. Both hold significance, and choosing one (or both) depends on tone, budget, purpose, and where you want it published.

FAQs:

1. What is the key difference between a death notice vs an obituary?

A death notice is a short, formal announcement that shares essential information such as the person’s name, date of death, and funeral details. An obituary is a longer, personal tribute that highlights the person’s life story, achievements, relationships, and legacy.

In short:

• Death Notice = factual announcement

• Obituary = life story + tribute

2. What is an example of a death notice?

Example (Short & Formal):
Maria Thompson, aged 82, passed away peacefully on 5 January 2025. A funeral service will be held at Grace Chapel on 10 January at 11 AM. All are welcome.

3. Can you show me examples of death notices versus obituaries?

Death Notice Example (Short): 

Sarah James passed away on 12 December 2024. Funeral services will be held at St. Mark’s Church on 18 December at 2 PM.

Obituary Example (Detailed): 

Sarah James (1955–2024) was a devoted wife a daughter and a wife as well, she was the founder of James pet shop and her love for pets and animals were really inspiring and beautiful, She leaves behind her husband, Anit, two children, and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Church on 18 December at 2 PM.

Key difference: the obituary adds personality, achievements, and stories.

4. How does digital memorial services incorporate death notices and obituaries?

1. Clear Answer

Digital memorial services publish death notices and obituaries as online tribute pages that act as the central source of information. 

2. Contextual Explanation

They convert traditional obituary text into enriched digital profiles that include photos, videos, life stories, and timelines. 

3. User Interaction Features

Platforms allow visitors to engage through comments, condolences, virtual candles, and memory-sharing options, making the obituary interactive. 

4. Accessibility & Distribution

Obituaries are easily shareable across social media, searchable online, and available globally, making dissemination faster and more inclusive. 

5. Outcome / Value

This approach preserves memories long-term, increases visibility of funeral details, and creates a collective digital space for remembrance.