When a loved one passes, you may need to write an obituary. But where is the best place to post it to notify people? The process can feel overwhelming, with the many choices and decisions you need to make.
This guide takes you through the steps to post an obituary, the different places to post it, the costs, and other tips and useful considerations.
Key Takeaways
You can post an obituary in common places like newspapers, community magazines, funeral homes and newsletters.
Less common places to post an obituary include social media and university publications.
Newspapers tend to be more costly to post in compared to online obituary websites and social media. Evaluate which outlet is worth it for you.
Where to Post an Obituary
After you finish writing an obituary, you need to know where to post it.
Common places to post your obituary are newspapers, churches, funeral homes, church newsletters, volunteer newsletters, community magazines, and community organizations.
While the world has become more reliant on paperless publications, printing in newspapers and newsletters remains a popular option.
This is because newspapers used to be the traditional way people would learn about somebody's death. Sometimes, the publicists will provide guidelines on how to format the obituary before posting it, which is helpful if you’ve never written or posted one before.
Many people are now posting obituaries in online newspapers, obituary websites, and even social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Using social media as a place to publish obituaries has become increasingly popular because it’s free.
How to Post an Obituary to Each Place
Once you decide where to share the obituary, follow these steps to successfully post it.
How to Post to a Newspaper
The newspaper is the most common place to post an obituary. It’s the traditional route and is easy to do. It’s important to note the costs will vary based on which newspaper you choose to publish it in.
Reasons to Post in a Newspaper
An obituary is more than a death notice of a loved one. It's a tribute to their life, their achievements, and their actions. Posting it to a newspaper is a way to remember and cherish their memory.
Posting it there will also increase how many people it reaches, especially if you’re having an open funeral. Also, an obituary is a permanent tribute. It’s a formal method many find respectful.
Cost of Posting to a Newspaper
The cost will vary depending on the newspaper, the number of words printed and if you include a picture. Some newspapers will not charge for posting an obituary, as it’s considered a human interest story.
If a newspaper charges, it may do it per line daily. Factors like the newspaper size will influence how much is charged per line. Generally speaking, posting in a newspaper will cost between $100 and $1,000.
How to Post to a Newspaper
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to post an obituary to a newspaper:
Step 1: Choose which newspaper you want to post it to. You can select a newspaper in your loved one's hometown or where they spent the most time. You can also choose between local or national newspapers.
Step 2: Gather information on the posting process. Find out what the costs are, any formatting requirements you need to adhere to and how to submit the obituary. Also, be sure to find out if there’s a deadline.
Step 3: Proofread your obituary. Remember to proofread the obituary before sending it. We suggest having a friend or family member read through it first. A second pair of eyes will bring some new and insightful perspectives.
Step 4: Submit the obituary. Submit it through email or in person, depending on the specific paper’s requirements. Ask for a draft of the obituary before publication to check for any mistakes or last-minute changes.
How to Post an Obituary to a Funeral Home
Posting an obituary through a funeral home is one of the simpler options.
Reasons to Post to a Funeral Home
They can assist you with the process and sometimes post it to a newspaper on your behalf. This can take off a lot of the stress and burden in such a difficult time.
Remember that posting an obituary to a funeral home could limit how many people it reaches.
Costs of Posting to a Funeral Home
Posting obituaries on a funeral home website or newspaper is generally a less expensive option, as many may post them for free or a small donation.
Hannah Sentenac, a professional obituary writer, explains: “Some funeral homes and mortuaries will also publish obituaries on their websites as part of the memorial services they offer.”
If you’re having the funeral home post to an external newspaper on your behalf, you will need to factor those costs in as well.
How to Post to a Funeral Home
Posting an obituary to a funeral home is similar to posting it to a newspaper. Here's what you need to know.
Step 1: Choose between a newspaper or website. Some funeral homes will have a newspaper or website where they post their obituaries, so you must decide which one you want to use.
Step 2: Get details from the funeral home. After deciding between physical printing, online publication, or both, gather all the information you need to post to the funeral home's website or newspaper. This information will include things like cost, content length, any formatting requirements, how to submit the obituary and what deadlines you need to adhere to.
Step 3: Proofread the obituary. Once you have finished writing the obituary, we recommend you proofread it to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors. Check that all names are spelled correctly. You might be surprised at how common this error is.
Step 4: Submit the obituary. Submit the obituary using the funeral home's preferred submission method, and ensure you are following their format requirements.
How to Post to Obituary Websites
Reasons to Post to an Obituary Website
Posting an obituary on a website fully dedicated to obituaries is a popular choice. You can post a full-length obituary with a picture for free or for a small fee. This is a great idea if your loved one's relatives and friends are scattered across the globe.
A con of using an online obituary website instead of using the paper option is the loss of having a formal, physical copy. In contrast, online websites have the risk of crashing or closing, which could result in lost data.
Costs of Posting to an Online Obituary Website
You can choose between a paid or free website to post on, but the online route is much more cost-effective than paper. Some websites will allow you to post an obituary for free but will allow upgrades like increased photos, content, videos and music for an additional fee.
How to Post to an Online Obituary Website
Posting to one of these websites is pretty simple. All you need to do is choose your website, check the costs and sign up.
After signing up, you can write the obituary and post it on the website after thoroughly proofreading it. Remember to include any photos, videos or music you want.
How to Post an Obituary to Social Media
Reasons to Post to Social Media
You can easily share an obituary as a Facebook or Instagram post. You can even add music and photos. It comes with no cost. This is a great option if your loved one has friends worldwide.
How to Post on Social Media
Posting an obituary is very easy on social media. All you need to do is write your obituary, proofread it, and then create a new social media post by pasting your written content into the post. Once it’s pasted, press the share button and you're done.
Additional Tips and Considerations
When posting your obituary to your place of choice, there are some factors to consider, like privacy, safety, and costs. Here are some useful tips and considerations.
Be Wary of Scams
Some cons of posting to a newspaper include the risk of identity theft, as opportunists can try to claim benefits from the deceased. Scammers will try to use the deceased or family's details to scam inheritance out of family members.
Avoid including too much personal information, and be wary of free online obituary websites asking for payment information.
Consider Privacy and Sensitivity
Before posting the obituary, consider the family's need for privacy. They may want to limit details if the death was particularly traumatic or controversial.
This means avoiding posting an obituary to places like social media or larger newspapers. However, if you are posting to those places, don’t share too many details about the death. Consider posting the obiturary to a funeral home or church newsletter instead.
Follow Specific Guidelines If Required
Depending on where you have chosen to post the obituary, you need to follow their requirements for formatting, content length, submission rules, funeral details, what type of photos to use and the quality. Following the guidelines will ensure the timely and correct publishing of the obituary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after death should an obituary be published?
There is no right or wrong time, but waiting at least 24 hours to notify immediate family and friends first is recommended. Some people wait for three days to a week to publish the obituary.
Can I post my own obituary?
Yes, you can post your own obituary quite easily. If you’re terminally ill, for example, and don’t want to burden your family with an obituary, you could write and choose where to publish it. You can then schedule your obituary to be posted when you pass away.
Who usually writes the obituary
A close family member typically writes the obituary. However, a colleague or friend may have the best writing ability and will take on the task. The funeral home and even newspapers can help with writing the obituary as well.
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