Obituaries

A funeral or death notice lets people know that someone has died and, where appropriate, provides information about the funeral. An obituary is usually longer and tells more of the person’s life story.

Not every family wishes to publish a notice, and there is no requirement to do so. Abercorn Funeral Services can help you consider the wording and check that the practical funeral details are correct before publication.

Death notices and obituaries

A death or funeral notice is normally brief and may include:

• The person’s name.
• Where they lived or had a strong connection.
• The date of death.
• A short family message.
• The date, time and location of the funeral.
• Whether the funeral is public or private.
• Instructions about flowers or charitable donations.

An obituary is generally a longer tribute that may also include:

• Important parts of the person’s life.
• Family and relationships.
• Work, interests and achievements.
• Community involvement.
• Memories and personal qualities.
• The contribution they made to the lives of others.

Information you may wish to include

Before writing the notice, consider:

• The person’s full name and any name by which they were commonly known.
• Their age, if the family wishes to include it.
• The area in which they lived.
• The date of death.
• Whether words such as “peacefully” or “surrounded by family” are accurate and appropriate.
• The names of close family members.
• Whether funeral details should be published.
• Whether the family wishes to request family flowers only.
• Details of a chosen charity or memorial fund.
• Whether there will be a gathering after the service.

There is no need to include every detail. A short and sincere notice is often enough.

Check the funeral information carefully

Before publishing any funeral arrangements, confirm:

• The correct date and time.
• The full name and address of the venue.
• Whether the service is open to everyone or by invitation only.
• Whether the family wishes people to attend the burial or cremation.
• Details of any webcast or livestream.
• Flower and donation instructions.
• Whether information about a reception should be public.

A notice can be difficult or costly to correct after publication, so ask another family member to check names, spelling, dates and locations.

Protecting the family’s privacy

Think carefully about how much personal information is made public.

Avoid publishing:

• The deceased person’s full date of birth.
• A private home address.
• Unnecessary personal or financial information.
• Details that confirm a property will be empty during the funeral.
• Private family information without the agreement of those involved.
• Webcast passwords or private links intended only for invited guests.

If the funeral is private, state this clearly without publishing the time and location.

Newspaper and online notices

A notice may be published:

• In a local or national newspaper.
• On an online funeral-notice website.
• On the funeral director’s website, where this service is available.
• Through a community, workplace or membership organisation.
• On social media, if the family feels this is appropriate.

Newspapers and online services may charge according to the length of the notice, photographs and publication options. Check the wording, price and publication date before approving it.

Remember that online notices and social-media posts may remain visible for a long time and can be shared beyond the intended audience.

Example of a simple funeral notice

SMITH – Margaret

Peacefully, on 10 September 2026, Margaret, much-loved mum, gran and friend.

Funeral service at [venue] on [day and date] at [time], to which family and friends are warmly invited.

Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, may be made to [charity].

Margaret will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

This is only an example. The wording should be changed to reflect the person, the family’s wishes and the actual funeral arrangements.

If the funeral is private

A simple notice could say:

The funeral will be private, in accordance with the family’s wishes. A celebration of [name’s] life will be announced at a later date.

We are here to help

Abercorn Funeral Services can help you prepare appropriate wording and check the funeral details before the notice is submitted.

The final wording and publication arrangements should always be approved by the family.

Edinburgh: 0131 259 2322
Musselburgh: 0131 629 5151

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