Burial preparations entail a lot of planning. When everything has been arranged, it is customary to make a public announcement to let friends and associates of the departed know the details surrounding the passing and services. These funeral notices will provide all the information people need if they wish to attend.
There is a difference between this announcement and an obituary. The obit is usually created by someone at the newspaper using a template to provide only basic details of the death. A notice provides the family an opportunity to share more personal information as well as the specifics regarding memorial and burial services.
These announcements can be made as a newspaper submission, through emails or as actual invitations. The written format will usually follow one of two standard profiles. The first consists of only the basic facts regarding the who, where and when, while the second is a more personal tribute which is sometimes accompanied by a photograph and contains a brief biographical history.
Certain information is considered standard for such announcements. The primary detail being the individual's full name, as well as commonly used nicknames and, if applicable, a maiden name. The piece may also include where they lived, the date they died, the family they leave behind and the when and where of all services to be held in their honor.
As an option, one may choose to include additional details regarding the death. It may also be nice to list personal bits about the deceased such as where they were born, schools they attended, place of employment, military service, religious or civic affiliation, and any hobbies or special interests they enjoyed. The officiant and pallbearers are also often announced here.
If the services are to be a private family affair, this should be mentioned in the article. In circumstances where donations for charity are preferred instead of flowers, details need to be part of the announcement. Funeral notices are both a way to share information about the memorial services and to show final respects to the dearly departed.
