Obituary vs. Death Notice: Which Do You Need? (2026 Guide)
By Susan Jackson · Published 2026-05-30 · 5 min read
An obituary tells a life story; a death notice announces the facts. Here's how to decide which fits your family — with 2026 pricing for print and online.
"Should we write an obituary?" is one of the first decisions families make after a death — and it's surprisingly complicated. There are actually three options (full obituary, short death notice, online-only), and the right answer depends on budget, audience, and how much of the person's story you want to tell.
Get a personalized recommendation with our free Obituary vs Death Notice Decision Tool — 7 questions, 30 seconds.
What's the difference?
| Death notice | Obituary | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 30–80 words | 200–500 words |
| Content | Name, age, dates, service info | Full biography, survivors, story |
| Print cost | $50–$150 | $200–$800+ |
| Photo | Rarely | Almost always |
| Audience | Local community | Anyone who knew them |
When a death notice is the right call
Pick a death notice when:
- You mainly need to inform the community about service details
- The family service is private and you don't want a lot of attention
- Budget is tight
- The deceased had a smaller circle and a longer obituary would feel disproportionate
- You're publishing a longer obituary online and just need a print pointer
When a full obituary makes sense
Pick a full obituary when:
- The deceased had a wide network of friends, colleagues, military or civic ties
- Surviving family want a permanent biographical record
- There's a meaningful story to tell (career, service, contributions)
- You want to direct memorial donations to a specific charity
- A photo and a "celebration of life" tone feels right for the family
The hybrid approach (often the best answer)
Many families now publish:
- A free online obituary on Legacy.com, the funeral home website, or a personal blog
- A short paid death notice in the local print paper, pointing readers to the online version
This captures the full story without paying $800 for column inches.
2026 pricing
- Small-town weekly print: $5–$10 per line
- Major metro daily print: $20–$60 per line, plus $50–$200 for a photo
- Sunday edition: Add 25–50%
- Online via Legacy.com (with funeral home partnership): Free for 30 days, $79–$199 for permanent
A 300-word obituary with a photo in a major paper typically lands at $400–$800. The same content published online (Legacy or funeral-home site) costs $0–$199.
Do you have to publish anything?
No. There is no legal requirement. Some families share a personal social media post and skip both formats entirely. Others write a private "family obituary" they share at the service.
How to write a good obituary
A good obituary has five parts:
- The lede — name, age, place, date of death
- The life — born where, raised by whom, what they did with their time
- Survivors — listed by relationship
- Service details — date, time, place, dress code, memorial donations
- A closing line — something the deceased said, did, or loved
Afterly Plan Premium includes a fill-in-the-blank obituary template with three tone options (warm, formal, humorous) and pre-written closing lines you can edit.
Related tools
- Funeral cost calculator — itemized estimate
- Who to notify when someone dies — checklist generator
- Death certificate calculator
This article is general information about obituary and death notice options, not legal or financial advice.
Published by Afterly Plan. This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.