How to write an obituary or a funeral notice: what to say, with sample texts

The funeral notice announces the death and gives the practical details: where and when the ceremony and the farewell take place. It is usually short and signed by the family.

The obituary is a longer, more personal text, written by the family or by friends, that recalls the person’s life: work, passions, places, the words that sounded like them.

• First and last name, and the maiden name for anyone who changed it.
• Date of birth, date and place of death, and age.
• Municipality of residence.
• Day, time and place of the ceremony and of the burial or cremation.
• Who signs it: spouse, children, grandchildren, relatives.
• Any wishes of the family: whether they want flowers, or donations to a charity.

It helps to check dates and times twice: they are the most important information.

A simple notice:

“Mario Rossi, of Lugano, passed away peacefully at the age of 87. His wife Anna, his children Paolo and Giulia, his grandchildren and relatives announce it. The farewell ceremony will take place on Thursday 15 October at 2.30 pm in the church of San Rocco, followed by burial in the cemetery of Lugano. No flowers, but donations to charity.”

A more personal obituary starts from the person: “Maria loved the lake in winter, when it was empty. For forty years she taught the children of Locarno to read and never stopped lending books. She leaves her family her way of listening.”

These are invented examples: they only show the tone. The real text must be about the real person.

• Short, concrete sentences. A precise fact is worth more than an adjective.
• Say “died” if the family prefers it. If you choose another expression, make it your own.
• Avoid stock phrases that could sit on any name.
• Have a relative read the text before publishing, and check names, dates and times.
• If flowers and donations are mentioned in the notice, state them clearly, without insisting.

Funeral notices are published in newspapers and news sites, and the funeral home usually takes care of it. On Aevi you find the funeral notices and obituaries of Canton Ticino published by accredited funeral homes.

The cantonal regulation forbids putting the funeral home’s logo in the funeral notice without the family’s written consent: if you do not want it, say it should not be included.

The notice lasts a few days. The memory lasts longer. Many families then gather photos, stories and the tributes of people who knew the person in an online page, which stays over time.