Writing a death notice is a difficult task that many people will face at some point in their lives. Whether you're a family member, friend or funeral director, it's important to craft a thoughtful and meaningful notice to honour the life of the person who has died.

In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to write a death notice in Australia.

Format

The first step in writing a death notice is to determine the format you would like to use. In Australia, the most common format is a newspaper notice or posting the notice online - often both.

Basic details

There are some basic details that should be included in the death notice. These include the full name of the deceased, their date of birth and death and their age at the time of death. You may also want to include the cause of death, but of course this is not necessary.

Brief biography

After you have included the basic details, it's nice to provide a brief biography of the deceased. This can include their occupation, hobbies, interests and any accomplishments they may have had. You can also include information about their family, such as their spouse, children and grandchildren.

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Keep it concise

When writing a death notice, it's important to keep it concise. While you may be tempted to include every detail about the deceased's life, it's best to stick to the most important information. Aim for a length of around 150-300 words.

Edit and proofread

Before publishing the death notice, be sure to edit and proofread your words carefully. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and make sure that all of the information is accurate.

Examples

To help you get started, here are some examples of death notices and some additional examples for mothers and fathers.

Example 1:

SMITH, John

Passed away peacefully on 1 April 2023, aged 73 years. Beloved husband of Mary. Loving father of Sarah and David. Adored grandfather of James, Shane and Charlie. John was a devoted primary school teacher who spent his entire career inspiring students at St. Mary's College. He was also an avid collector of antique clocks and enjoyed spending time tinkering in his workshop.

BROWN, Margaret

Passed away peacefully on 2 April 2023, aged 86 years. Much loved wife of the late William. Adored mother of Peter and Anne. Cherished grandmother of Emily, Sophie and Thomas. Margaret was a talented artist who exhibited her work around her community. She was also a devoted volunteer at the local hospital and spent many hours brightening the days of patients. 

Example 3: Death Notice for a Mother

SMITH, Sarah (née Brown).

Passed away peacefully on 1 April 2023, aged 65 years. Beloved wife of John. Devoted mother of Samantha and Peter. Adored grandmother of Chloe and Ethan. Sarah was a loving and caring mother who devoted her life to her family. She was a talented seamstress and spent many hours creating beautiful clothes for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed cooking and baking, and we all loved coming home to visit, for it was always filled with the delicious smells of fresh bread and cakes. 

Example 4: Death Notice for a Father

BROWN, William.

Passed away peacefully on 29 March 2023, aged 72 years. Beloved husband of Margaret (deceased). Loving father of David and Lisa. Adored grandfather of Daniel, Karoline and Grace. William was a hardworking and dedicated father who always put his family first. He was a skilled builder and spent many years working in the construction industry. William was also a keen gardener and took great pride in his vegetable patch. 

"What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." - Helen Keller

"Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life." - Anne Roiphe

You can read more quotes on grief here.