Most funeral directors will help you write this. But if you're doing it yourself, or want to know what to expect, here's how it works.
What to include
- Full name — including maiden name if applicable
- Age — or date of birth
- Date and place of death — "passed away peacefully on [date] at [place]"
- Who they were to people — "beloved wife of...", "much loved father of...", "cherished nana of..."
- Funeral or memorial details — date, time, venue, or "a private cremation has taken place"
- Flowers or donations — "in lieu of flowers, donations to [charity] would be appreciated"
- Special messages — a line that captures them, if you want
Template — simple
[SURNAME], [First name]
Passed away [peacefully / suddenly] on [date], aged [age]. Dearly loved [relationship] of [names]. [Relationship] of [names].
A [funeral service / memorial service / private cremation] will be held at [venue] on [date] at [time].
[In lieu of flowers, donations to [charity] would be appreciated / All communications to [funeral director name and address].]
Template — with more personality
[SURNAME], [First name] ([nickname])
[Date of birth] – [Date of death]
[A line about who they were — what they loved, what made them them.]
Loved [relationship] of [names]. Loved [relationship] of [names]. [He/She] will be deeply missed by [wider family/friends/community].
A celebration of [First name]'s life will be held at [venue] on [date] at [time]. All welcome.
[Donations to [charity] can be made at [link/address].]
Where to publish
- Newspaper — most NZ papers accept death notices. Your funeral director usually handles this. Costs $200–$500 depending on length and paper.
- NZ Herald — nzherald.co.nz/notices (national reach)
- Stuff / Press / Dominion Post — stuff.co.nz/national/death-notices
- Facebook — many families post directly. Free, immediate, reaches people who matter.
- Legacy.com — online obituary platform, more common overseas but used in NZ too
You don't have to publish a death notice at all. It's not a legal requirement. Some families prefer to tell people directly.
Tip: Write it when you're ready, not when you're being asked to. If the funeral director needs it urgently for the service, ask them for a template — they'll have one.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional.
Dollar figures and entitlements change periodically. We link to authoritative sources where possible. Last reviewed: April 2026.