Understanding what an obituary is—and what it can be with online tools—empowers families to create meaningful tributes that truly honor their loved ones. Afterall, an obituary is more than a death announcement; it celebrates someone’s life and provides practical information for family and friends.
When someone dies, writing an obituary can feel overwhelming. But it’s also a chance to share their story and share important details about services and memorial plans. An obituary is more than a death announcement; it celebrates someone’s life and provides practical information for family and friends.
Whether you’re searching for what is an obituary, trying to understand obituary meaning, or wondering how modern digital obituaries differ from traditional newspaper notices, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know.
Did you know? Everis online obituaries are interactive, digital memorial pages where friends and family can share stories, photos, and reflections. They’re more than a one-time notice. They’re evolving tributes that honor a life and invite others to keep the memory alive. Learn more
Quick Navigation:
What is an obituary?
Obituary vs. death notice
Why obituaries matter
Components of an obituary
Types of obituaries
Everis interactive obituaries
Frequently asked questions
What is an obituary?
An obituary is a public announcement of death that serves multiple essential purposes:
• Notifies the community of someone’s passing
• Celebrates their life story
• Provides service details for those who wish to pay respects
• Creates a permanent historical record
• Offers comfort to grieving family and friends
The word comes from the Latin obitus, meaning departure or death. But modern obituaries focus less on departure and more on the journey—the life lived, love shared, and legacy left behind.
Obituary vs. death notice
Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different. Think of it this way: a death notice informs, an obituary celebrates.
Death notice:
- Basic announcement of passing
- Just the facts: name, age, date of death
- Usually 50-100 words
- Lower newspaper costs
- Posted quickly after death
Obituary:
- Complete life story and celebration
- Includes biography, achievements, personality
- Can be 200-800+ words
- Higher newspaper costs (or free online)
- May be published days or weeks later
Why obituaries matter
Obituaries do more than announce a death—they capture who someone was and create a space for collective mourning and celebration.
For families, writing an obituary is part of processing grief. It means reflecting on what made someone special, what they cared about, and what they left behind. It’s a way to honor them publicly and ensure their story isn’t forgotten.
Components of an obituary
Every meaningful obituary includes these core components:
Required:
✓ Full name of your loved one
✓ Age or date of birth
✓ Date they passed away
✓ City and state where they lived
If you’re having services:
✓ When and where (date, time, location)
✓ Funeral home name
Optional details include:
✓Family connections
✓Their story
✓Personal touches
Need help writing an obituary? Our detailed guide includes free templates, examples and step-by-step instructions. How to Write an Obituary: Free Obituary Templates & Examples for Mother, Father, Child & Friend
Types of obituaries
Traditional newspaper obituaries
Newspaper obituaries have been the standard for generations, but they come with real constraints. Most newspapers charge by the word or line—anywhere from $200 to $800 or more—which forces families to condense a lifetime into a few brief paragraphs, leaving out meaningful details and stories. They also run for just one or two days with limited reach and then they are gone forever.
Limitation of traditional newspaper obituaries:
- High costs: Typically $200-$800 or more, charged per word or line
- Word limits: A lifetime is limited into brief paragraphs
- Short lifespan: Runs for only 1-2 days before disappearing
- Limited reach: Only available to specific geographic areas
- No multimedia: Text-only format with minimal or no photos
- No interaction: Friends and family cannot contribute memories
- Editing challenges: Difficult or impossible to correct errors
Online and digital obituaries
Digital obituaries have changed what’s possible. Without word count restrictions or print deadlines, families can share the full story—childhood memories, career achievements, quirky hobbies, favorite recipes, inside jokes that made someone uniquely themselves.
Modern online obituaries include:Unlimited content: Add photos, videos, and written memories
Interactive features: Share condolences, stories, and photos
Permanent accessibility: Stays online indefinitely, accessible from anywhere
Social media sharing: Easily share the obituary with distant loved ones
Real-time updates: Add additional info over time, any time
Everis interactive obituaries
Everis takes digital obituaries a step further. Rather than static announcements, Everis Obituaries are evolving memorial pages where communities can gather and remember together. Family and friends contribute photos from different eras, share stories the immediate family might never have heard, and keep the conversation going long after services end.
These interactive tributes become archives of a life—not just facts and dates, but the moments, relationships, and impact that defined someone. And because they’re included with Everis cremation arrangements, families don’t have to navigate multiple platforms or pay separately for meaningful memorial options.
Create an Interactive Obituary with Everis Our online memorial pages include unlimited photos, videos, and memory sharing—all included with your Complete Cremation Arrangements. No word limits. No extra costs. Learn more
Frequently asked questions
When should an obituary be published?
Obituaries are typically published within 3-7 days after death, though timing varies based on whether services are being held. For newspaper obituaries, families often publish 2-3 days before services to ensure adequate notice. Online obituaries can be published immediately and updated anytime, offering more flexibility.
Who typically writes an obituary?
Usually, a close family member—often a spouse, adult child, or sibling—writes the obituary. However, funeral directors and cremation service providers may assist with writing and editing, offering templates, suggestions, and professional guidance. Some people write their own obituaries in advance as part of their end of life planning. Read: How to Write an Obituary: Free template & examples
How much does an obituary cost?
Newspaper obituaries typically cost $200-$800 or more, depending on length, newspaper circulation, and geographic location. Charges are usually per word, per line, or per inch. Online obituaries vary widely—some platforms charge subscription fees while others are free. Everis includes interactive online obituary with its Complete Cremation Arrangements package at no additional cost, eliminating the financial barrier to creating meaningful memorials.
How long should an obituary be?
Traditional newspaper obituaries are typically 200-500 words due to cost constraints (at $5-10 per word, longer obituaries become expensive). Death notices are much shorter at 50-100 words. Online obituaries have no length restrictions. They can be as long as needed to fully honor someone’s life. Everis interactive online obituaries allowing families to share comprehensive life stories.
Can you write your own obituary?
Absolutely. Many people write their own obituaries as part of advance planning, ensuring their life is celebrated the way they want. Read: How to Write an Obituary: Free template & examples
How do online obituaries work?
Online obituaries are digital memorial webpages. Families create the obituary by uploading text, photos, and videos. Once published, the page gets a unique URL that can be shared via email, social media, or text. Visitors can read the obituary, view photos and videos, sign the guestbook, share memories, and get service details—all from any device, anywhere in the world.
Interactive obituaries from Everis enable friends and family to celebrate a loved one’s life by sharing stories, photos, and cherished memories.
Can obituaries be private or limited to certain people?
Yes. While traditional newspaper obituaries are inherently public, online obituaries offer privacy controls. Families can choose to make memorial pages password-protected, family-only, or unlisted (accessible only via direct link). Everis offers flexible privacy settings, allowing you to control who can view the obituary and who can contribute memories and photos.
What should you not include in an obituary?
Avoid including: exact home addresses, financial information, negative details or anything that could lead to identity theft. Focus on celebrating the person’s life and providing service information rather than exposing private details.
Modern obituaries
Understanding what an obituary is—and what it can be with online tools—empowers families to create meaningful tributes that truly honor their loved ones. While traditional newspaper obituaries still have their place, modern online obituaries offer flexibility and opportunities for participation.
What matters is that the obituary reflects who your loved one was and provides comfort to those who are grieving. It should tell their story, celebrate their impact, and invite others to remember and honor them.At Everis, we’ve built our services around this understanding. We know that saying goodbye is deeply personal, and we’ve designed our interactive online obituaries to support families through every step of the healing process—from crafting the perfect tribute to sharing it with those who matter most.
