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Funeral & memorial service announcements

Share the news and the service details with the right words. Copy a template below, or answer a few questions in our free obituary writer and share one page with everything on it.

Write it for me, free →See the templates

What to include

Every announcement below is built from these details. Anything not decided yet can be shared later.

  • 1

    Full name

    Add a nickname if most people knew them by it.

  • 2

    Date of passing

    The city is enough. The cause of death is always optional.

  • 3

    Type of service

    Funeral, memorial service, celebration of life, or a private service.

  • 4

    Date, time, and place

    Include the address, and a livestream link if the service will be streamed.

  • 5

    Visitation or reception

    When and where people can gather before or after the service.

  • 6

    Family wishes

    Donations in lieu of flowers, a dress code, or who to contact.

Funeral announcement templates

Five templates for a funeral, a memorial service, a celebration of life, a private service, and a short message for text or social media. Copy the template, or start from the example.

Funeral service announcement

Most commonService details

Shares the news, the service, visitation, and burial in three short paragraphs.

Best for: a traditional funeral with visitation and burial.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert James Whitfield, 81, of Dayton, Ohio, on October 2, 2026.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 10, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dayton. Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. before the service, and burial will follow at Woodland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a local food bank in Robert’s name.

Start with this template →

Or answer a few questions and we’ll fill it in for you.

Memorial service announcement

After cremationLivestream

For a memorial held days or weeks later, with a reception and a livestream for those far away.

Best for: a memorial service after a cremation or private burial.

With love and sorrow, the family of full name shares that he/she/they passed away on date in city.

A memorial service to celebrate first name’s life will be held on day, date at time at place, address. All who knew first name are welcome, and a reception will follow at place.

For those unable to attend, the service will be streamed at livestream link.

Start with this template →

Or answer a few questions and we’ll fill it in for you.

Celebration of life announcement

InformalRSVP

A warmer, less formal invitation to gather and share stories.

Best for: a relaxed gathering at a hall, park, or family home.

Please join us to celebrate the life of full name, who passed away on date.

We’ll gather on day, date from time to time at place, address, to share stories, photos, and his/her/their favorite food or music. Dress code or special request.

Please let name know if you can come: phone or email.

Start with this template →

Or answer a few questions and we’ll fill it in for you.

Private service or service at a later date

No public serviceDetails later

Shares the news when the service is for family only, or not yet arranged.

Best for: families holding a private service or planning a gathering later.

Full name, age, of city, state, passed away peacefully on date, surrounded by family.

A private service will be held for the family. A celebration of first name’s life will be announced at a later date.

Condolences and memories can be shared on his/her/their memorial page: link.

Start with this template →

Or answer a few questions and we’ll fill it in for you.

Short death announcement for text or social media

Under 50 wordsText, email, Facebook

A brief message that shares the news and points everyone to one page for the details.

Best for: a text to friends, an email, or a Facebook post.

It is with heavy hearts that we share that our relationship, full name, passed away on date. Service details are on his/her/their memorial page: link.

Thank you for your love and prayers. Please keep our family in your thoughts.

Start with this template →

Or answer a few questions and we’ll fill it in for you.

Share it on a free memorial page

The free obituary writer asks for the same details: the service date, time, place, and address, a livestream link, and donation wishes. It writes the obituary and publishes a memorial page you can share by text, email, Facebook, or WhatsApp. The page stays private until you share it, and you can update the service details anytime.

  1. 1. Tell the closest family and friends personally first.
  2. 2. Then send the announcement with a link to the memorial page.
  3. 3. If plans change, update the page once and everyone sees it.
Write the obituary and announcement

Announcement, invitation, obituary, or death notice?

Funeral announcement
Shares the news and the service details with everyone who knew them, by text, email, social media, or a memorial page.
Funeral invitation
A personal invitation to a gathering, often a smaller one, sometimes with an RSVP. Invitation templates
Obituary
The story of their life, their family, and the service details, published online or in the newspaper. How to write an obituary
Death notice
A short paid newspaper listing with only the essential facts. Death notice templates

Funeral announcement FAQ

What should a funeral announcement include?

The person’s full name, the date of passing, the type of service, its date, time, and place, and any family wishes, such as donations in lieu of flowers. Add a livestream link if the service will be streamed.

When should a funeral announcement be sent?

Usually within a few days of the death, once the service is arranged. If the details are not set yet, you can share the news now and add the service details later.

Is it okay to announce a death on social media?

Yes, many families do. Tell the closest family and friends personally first, then post a short announcement with a link to the memorial page for the details.

What is the difference between a funeral announcement and an obituary?

An announcement shares the news and the service details. An obituary also tells the story of their life and names their family. The free obituary writer covers both: it writes the obituary with the service details included, and the memorial page you share works as the announcement.

Is it free?

Yes. The templates on this page are free to copy, and the obituary writer and memorial page are free.