How to Word a Memorial Announcement: 12 Free Templates | Cake Blog (2024)

There’s a lot of writing involved when someone dies. If you choose to complete the tasks yourself, the obituary and the eulogy for the memorial service alone can take hours. Some people also create a memorial service announcement — a document that provides service details to family and friends.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• What is a Memorial Service Announcement?
• Memorial Service Announcement vs. Funeral Announcement
• What to Include in a Memorial Service Announcement
• Where Can You Post a Memorial Service Announcement?
• Announcement Templates for an Email
• Announcement Templates for Social Media
• Announcement Templates for the Newspaper
• Announcement Templates for a Physical Invitation

Here are some tips on how to write a clear, succinct, heartfelt memorial service announcement.

Tip: If you are responsible for creating an online memorial page, Cake has a free online tool that provides space for a full-length obituary, tribute page, and funeral fundraiser.

What Is a Memorial Service Announcement?

A memorial service announcement includes all the details necessary for someone to attend this end-of-life service. It differs from an obituary, which contains biographical information and information about their end-of-life service.

A memorial service announcement first identifies the deceased. The person’s full name is presented at the top of the document, including nicknames and maiden names. The birth and death dates generally are included as well. The location of the death (or the place of residence of the deceased) is also often included to help in matters of identification.

Once you have identified the deceased, you must give all the essential information to enable someone to attend the memorial service. This includes the day and date of the service, the time, and the location (including the address).

If the family has any special requests, such as suggesting that attendees wear clothes that support the deceased’s favorite team, you would also include those instructions in the announcement.

Some families announce if a meal, repast, or reception is planned following the service.

If the memorial service will be live-streamed, the announcement may give the URL and password needed to attend the virtual event.

Memorial Service Announcement vs. Funeral Announcement

Typically, the difference between a memorial service and a funeral is that a memorial service is an end-of-life event where the deceased’s body is not present in a casket. Sometimes, families will schedule a memorial service after the body is cremated, and they will bring the urned remains to the event.

For this reason, a memorial service announcement is more prevalent than a funeral announcement. Since most funerals where the body is present must occur within a week of death, there is less time to create and distribute formal announcements for the service.

If the body is cremated, the family can choose to have the service weeks or months after the death. This gives them ample time to send out a memorial announcement.

It’s worth noting that a death announcement is sometimes used to announce the death of a loved one. A death announcement is typically made before the service details are made and announced.

What to Include in a Memorial Service Announcement

There’s little room for creativity when you write a memorial service announcement. In fact, writing an announcement for a memorial service is similar to writing an invitation to a gathering. You need to address who, what, where, and when.

Tip: In addition to all these details, you can include a link to an online memorial page you set up in your loved one’s honor. An online memorial is a place where family and friends can write tributes and even donate money to go toward funeral expenses or a charity organization. Creating a beautiful online memorial page with Cake is free and easy.

Make sure you include the following:

• The name of the deceased: Include the first and last name of the deceased. You may also include a middle name – especially if the first and last name are common. Include the deceased’s maiden name in parentheses and a person’s commonly used nickname in quotes. For example, you’d write Mary Marie (Smith) Jones or Franklin “Buddy” Jackson.
• Birth and death dates of the deceased: You don’t need to include the deceased’s birth and death dates in a memorial service announcement, but the information can be helpful. The dates will help distinguish the death of Mary Jones, born in the 1930s, or Mary Jones, born in the 1960s.
• Date of the service: Make sure you give an accurate day and date for the memorial service.
• Time of the service: If the family will be present to receive visitors, make sure that the time is outlined in the announcement. Of course, also include the exact time for the beginning of the service.
• Location of the service: Include the service location and its address.
• Live stream or virtual URL with a passcode: Some families opt to livestream or host a virtual funeral using a service like GatheringUs, so all guests can view the event, interact, and share memories of the deceased.
• Location of burial, entombment, or scattering: Some families invite friends and extended family to the site where the remains will rest forever. Still, others choose to have a private event. If public, share the service details, including the address, date, and time.
• Information regarding meals or receptions: It’s common for meals to be shared after memorial services, and sharing this information with other mourners is helpful.
• Special requests: Some families choose to have private memorial services for their loved ones. In fact, some families send death announcements to share that the service is private. If this is the case, make sure these wishes are known. Otherwise, mourners will spend time trying to figure out any unpublished arrangements.

The family may have other special requests regarding the service. For example, they may ask for donations to charity in lieu of flowers. They may ask the attendees to dress casually – or in the deceased’s favorite color.

Where Can You Post a Memorial Service Announcement?

You can post the memorial service announcement for a loved one in many different publications and websites. However, remember that the most critical factor in publicizing a memorial service is that it is done before the service.

Here are some places you can post an announcement for a memorial service for a loved one:

Newspaper

Some families spread the word about a memorial service by publishing an announcement in the local newspaper (or multiple newspapers). However, it’s important to realize that most newspapers require such a notice to be submitted by a funeral home or cremation provider. This decreases the likelihood that false information is printed regarding a person’s death.

Most newspapers charge a per-word fee to print obituaries and service announcements. Depending on the circulation numbers of the newspaper, you may have to spend hundreds of dollars to publish an obituary. However, death notices are typically shorter and won’t cost as much to print. Some publications will print these basic notices for free or a nominal fee.

Online memorial websites

Quite a few websites allow you to create a remembrance page for a deceased loved one. Online memorial pages can be shared on social media, and some primarily aim to spread the word about end-of-life events.

Some websites require a paid subscription, but others offer a free basic service.

Funeral home or cremation provider websites

Some funeral homes may publish memorial service information for those in their care in the local newspaper or business website. Talk with the funeral home staff serving your family about their requirements for this service. This service may be included in the total fees that you pay to the company, or you may be charged extra for this service.

Social media

You may consider posting the information regarding your loved one’s memorial service on Facebook, Twitter, or another social media account. To spread the word to a larger audience, consider tagging your deceased loved one so their followers will receive the information.

If you prefer to keep the event more private, message those you know who are interested.

Announcement Templates for an Email

Most of the time, memorial services are not announced via email. There may be exceptions to that rule. For example, maybe the person who died was still employed and had a lot of long-term business clients who interact through email.

If this is the case, the survivors might want to send an email to the deceased’s email address book or client list. Here are some samples of text you might want to include.

1. It is with profound sorrow that we announce the death of Harry Smith (January 12, 1962 – October 29, 2019). The visitation will be held on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] The memorial service will be held on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] A graveside service will follow Thursday’s memorial service.
2. In remembrance of Sally Jones, we will hold a memorial service for her on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] Please join us as we celebrate this extraordinary person. A reception will follow in the church hall.
3. It is with great sadness that the family of Michael Smith (1943-2019) announces his death. A public visitation will be held on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.]

Announcement Templates for Social Media

Announcing deaths via social media has become the norm, and it has its advantages, too.

One of the main advantages of sending a message through these platforms is that family members don’t have to identify everyone who would want to know about their loved one’s death. If the family tags the deceased in a memorial announcement, all of their loved one’s connections will be informed.

Using Facebook or some other social media platform to announce a death also allows the family to be more heartfelt with service announcements. Here are some ideas:

4. Our hearts are broken. We are saddened to announce the death of our mother, wife, sister, and daughter, Blythe Spencer. Please join us as we celebrate her life on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] A luncheon will be served in the church hall following the burial service.
5. Susan Sodderheim will be forever in our hearts. We will be hosting a celebration of her life at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS] ON [DAY, DATE] at [TIME]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the American Cancer Society.
6. We miss him greatly, but we rejoice in Peter Franklin’s triumphant return to his Heavenly Father. Please join us as we celebrate Peter’s life on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.]

Announcement Templates for the Newspaper

The funeral home provides most newspaper announcements. They are usually simple, with just the necessary information provided.

7. Francis Lloyd Westchire (February 23, 1948 – October 28, 2019): Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service in Francis’ honor on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] A graveside service will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Springfield.
8. Margaret (Wilder) Keene died on October 28, 2019. A visitation will be held at [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] The memorial service will be the next day on [DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] A luncheon will be served after the memorial service at Jones’ BBQ at [ADDRESS].
9. The family of Brian “Skippy” Thomas invites you to celebrate his life at a memorial service. The service will be held on [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] Instead of providing flowers, we ask that you donate to the Thomas Children’s Scholarship Fund.

Announcement Templates for a Physical Invitation

Plenty of websites will sell personalized funeral announcements, but this presents a time crunch for printing and distributing a formal written invitation, as a funeral is usually held within a week of a death.

Most memorial services are announced through local printed or online newspapers. If you want to print the announcements yourself, consider using something like these blank invitation cards from Amazon.

10. George Michael Edison (October 27, 1971 – October 29, 2019) memorial service: [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.] Lunch will be served immediately following the service at Sunshine Café, [LOCATION].
11. It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved wife and mother, Petunia Mae (Fredericks) Smith. A family memorial service will be held on [DAY, DATE]. She is survived by her husband, Frederick, three children, and eight grandchildren.
12. “Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.” — Rabindranath Tagore. Please help us celebrate the life of Robin (Jones) Kendra. [DAY, DATE] at [TIME] at [LOCATION AND ADDRESS.]

Remembering Your Loved One

Funeral announcements are traditionally short, simple pieces of text that announce the death and the services’ date, time, and location. Most funeral announcements are no more than 120 words.

Before the memorial service information is published, make sure that several people check the text for errors in spelling and punctuation — and triple-check the facts. It would be a shame if mourners arrived at a service only to find that the wrong date had been published.

Writing a memorial funeral announcement is an important task to complete after losing a loved one — so don’t gloss over the details. After all, everyone should be given a chance to say goodbye to a family member or a friend.