Announce the Death of a Family Member to Other Family Members, Close Friends, and Acquaintances

Letter #1

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of our dear [grandfather/grandmother]’s passing, [Name of Deceased]. [He/She] passed away peacefully on [day of week] following complications from [brief illness/surgery]. [Optional: Briefly share details about the illness or surgery.]

[Name of Deceased] was a [positive personality trait] and [positive personality trait] person who [share a brief anecdote or memory that highlights a specific quality]. [He/She] will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved [him/her]. A private graveside service was held with close family, in accordance with [his/her] wishes.

We appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult time.

Letter #2

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved [grandmother/grandfather], [Name of Deceased]. [He/She] passed away peacefully in [his/her] sleep on Wednesday night after a courageous battle with kidney failure. [Optional: Briefly share details about the illness.]

[Name of Deceased] was a pillar of our family, and we will forever cherish the memories of [his/her] [positive quality] spirit and [positive quality] nature. [Optional: Share a specific memory or anecdote.] A funeral service will be held on Saturday at [time] at the Doe & Sons Funeral Home in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Doe Scholarship Fund. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Letter #3

We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our dear aunt, [Name of Deceased]. [Optional: Briefly state the cause of death.] [Name of Deceased] was a bright light in our lives, known for [positive personality trait] and [positive personality trait]. [Optional: Share a specific memory or anecdote.]

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday at 3:00 pm at the Springfield Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Doe Scholarship Fund, as per [Name of Deceased]’s wishes. We will miss [her] dearly and appreciate your support during this time of grief.

How to Write this Announcement Letter: Expert Tips and Guidelines

For extended family and close friends who live out of town, handwritten notes are appropriate, and the tone should be very personal. Sometimes printed announcements (often black-banded) are sent to other out-of-town friends and acquaintances. These announcements are somewhat more formal. Both contain essentially the same information, but differ in degree of familiarity. For those who may want to attend the funeral, an immediate telephone call will usually be necessary in place of or preceding the announcement.

Steps

Make the announcement in a direct, yet sensitive, way.

Write Your announcement in Minutes: Easy Step-by-Step Guide with Sample Sentences and Phrases

1 Make the announcement in a direct, yet sensitive, way.

Sample Sentences for Step 1

Last Thursday our father passed away after suffering a stroke. We held the funeral on Friday at the Springfield Church. We appreciated all the family who were there to support Mother. (This tone is appropriate for extended family and close friends.)
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, John Doe, who died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage on December 1, 2018. Funeral services were held Monday, December 5, in the Sunset Funeral Home in Springfield. (This is a formal tone for persons other than close friends and family.)
We are all saddened by the death of John Doe who was fatally injured in a hiking accident in the Himalayas last week. John’s body is being returned to Kansas for a memorial service, June 30, at 10:00 a.m., in the Heavenly Rest Funeral Home, 1800 Main Street in Springfield. Contributions to the Doe Children’s Hospital are preferred in place of flowers.
Our sweet Grandmother Doe returned to her heavenly home on May 15, following a brief illness. She recently celebrated her 95th birthday with thirty grandchildren and five great grandchildren in attendance. A funeral to honor this grand lady’s life and her unselfish contributions to us all was held on Thursday, May 21, in the Springfield Funeral Home.
After a long battle with cancer, Uncle John died at his home last Sunday. We grieve at his leaving, but we are relieved that his suffering is over and he is with his wife, Emma, who preceded him in death in 2018. In accordance with his wishes, we held a private memorial service for immediate family members on May 7, at the Springfield Cemetery.