What is the difference between a death notice and an obituary?
The death notice is a small act of care that lets the wider community know your loved one has passed away. There are three types of announcement, each published in different places at different costs, and there is a simple wording template further down this page you can adapt.
Death notice, funeral notice, obituary: the differences
People use these terms interchangeably. They are actually three different things, often published together.
| Type | What it is | When it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Death notice | Announces the passing. Short and factual: name, age, where, when. Names the close family | First, often 1 to 3 days before the funeral |
| Funeral notice | Service details: date, time, place, livestream link, dress code, donation preference | With or after the death notice |
| Obituary | A longer tribute to the person's life, character, family, work and legacy | Usually a day or two after the funeral |
Many newspapers publish all three, often grouped together in the announcements section. Most families publish at least the death notice and funeral notice; the obituary is optional and longer.
Where to publish in Australia
State and local newspapers. Most state newspapers run announcements pages with daily death and funeral notices.
- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW)
- The Age (VIC)
- The Australian (national)
- Herald Sun (VIC)
- Daily Telegraph (NSW)
- The Courier-Mail (QLD)
- The West Australian (WA)
- The Advertiser (SA)
- The Mercury (TAS)
- NT News (NT)
- The Canberra Times (ACT)
- Plus regional dailies and weeklies in every state
Online tribute platforms. Free or low-cost online pages where family and friends can leave messages, photos and video tributes.
- MyTributes (operated by News Corp Australia's News Regional Media division)
- Heaven Address (Australian online memorials, accessible via the funeral director partner network)
- Forever Missed
Funeral director websites. Most funeral directors publish a tribute page for each family they serve, often with a guestbook for messages and a livestream link for the service.
Social media. Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms are now common venues for death notices, particularly for younger or more digitally connected families. Online tribute pages can be shared from the platforms.
What it costs
Newspaper notice pricing varies by paper, day of the week, and length. The figures below are indicative, based on the Funerals Direct team's review of published newspaper pricing; contact the newspaper directly or ask your funeral director for an exact quote. Pricing is set by each publisher and changes periodically; verify current rates through the relevant newspaper's classifieds or tributes portal before placing an order.
- Short death notice (around 30 to 50 words): $96 to $300, depending on the newspaper
- Standard funeral notice (50 to 100 words): $200 to $500
- Longer obituary (200 to 500 words): $500 to $1,500+
- Photograph add-on: $50 to $200
- Weekend or special-edition pricing: usually 20 to 50 percent more
Online tribute pages are usually free. Some platforms charge for premium features (additional photos, custom design, longer hosting).
The funeral director normally publishes through their newspaper accounts and adds the cost to the funeral invoice. You can also publish directly through each newspaper's online classifieds portal.
Who writes it
The funeral director normally drafts the death and funeral notices with input from the family. They have established accounts with the major newspapers and can publish quickly.
Many families write the obituary themselves, then ask the funeral director to publish it. Writing the obituary can be a meaningful part of grieving for some families.
If you would rather write your own death and funeral notices, the major newspapers all have online classifieds portals where you can submit directly.
A simple wording template
A standard death notice and funeral notice combined:
Adapt the template to your family's voice. Some families prefer warmth and stories; some prefer brevity. Both are right.
Sensitive deaths
For deaths by suicide, sudden death, or stillbirth, careful wording matters. The Mindframe Australia guidelines on safe reporting of suicide apply equally to death notices and obituaries:
- Use "passed away by suicide", not "committed suicide"
- Do not specify the method
- Include a crisis line in the notice: Lifeline 13 11 14
For grief support, see our grief support resources.
For stillbirth and perinatal loss, see Red Nose Grief and Loss for guidance on naming and acknowledging a baby publicly.
Timing
The death notice usually goes out 1 to 3 days before the funeral. This gives extended family and friends time to plan and travel.
For an unexpected loss or a coronial case where the funeral date is uncertain, families sometimes publish the death notice first ("funeral details to follow"), then the funeral notice once the date is confirmed.
The obituary, where one is written, typically appears a day or two after the funeral as a tribute. Some families publish on the anniversary instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a death notice, funeral notice and obituary?
Where do you publish a death notice in Australia?
How much does a death notice cost in Australia?
Who writes the death notice?
When should the death notice be published?
Can I publish a death notice online for free?
When you are ready
This guide is general information to help Australian families, editorially reviewed by the Funerals Direct team from publicly available sources. It is not legal or financial advice. Funeral prices change and vary by provider and region, so always ask for an itemised written quote. For prepaid funerals, bonds, or insurance, consider speaking with an independent financial adviser or a free financial counsellor on 1800 007 007.
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