When someone dies, the family has to pass on practical information to many people at once, at the worst possible moment. A clear template takes the guesswork out: who, when, where, and how to help.
How to Write the Date, Time and Place
- Weekday, date and time window: “on Thursday, 20 August, from 11:00 to 12:00”.
- Full address and a landmark: the hall name, street and number, “entrance from the courtyard”.
- What follows: the service, the cemetery, whether a bus is arranged.
- Private funeral: “The farewell will be held privately with family” — no address.
10 Notice Templates
1. Official company email
“Dear colleagues, it is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our colleague Sergei Ivanov, lead engineer, on 17 August. Sergei worked with us for more than twelve years. The farewell will take place on Thursday, 20 August, at 11:30 in the main hall at 14 Sadovaya Street; a bus will leave the office at 10:45. Those who wish to support the family can find the details below.”
2. Team chat, a colleague’s relative
“Colleagues, Natalia’s father has passed away. The farewell is on Friday, 21 August, at 12:00 in the hall of City Hospital No. 1 (45 Lenina Street). We are collecting support for Natalia — details in the chat description.”
3. Short notice for any chat
“Anna Petrovna Smirnova has passed away. The farewell will take place on Saturday, 22 August, at 10:00 at the Memorial Hall, 80 Mira Street. Burial at the Southern Cemetery.”
4. From the family, inviting friends
“Our mother and grandmother, Valentina Sergeevna, passed away last night. Everyone who knew and loved her is invited to say goodbye on Wednesday at 11:00 at the Holy Trinity church. A memorial lunch will follow at the Uyut café, 12 Pobedy Street. For questions, please call her son Mikhail: +7 999 111-22-33.”
5. Private funeral
“Our father, Pavel Andreevich, has passed away. At the family’s wish, the farewell will be held privately. Thank you for your words of support.”
6. Building chat
“Dear neighbours, our long-time neighbour from flat 54, Valentina Martynova, has passed away. The farewell by the entrance will be on Saturday at 10:00. Our condolences to the family.”
7. Social media post
“In loving memory of Alexei Kuznetsov (1968–2026), teacher and friend. The farewell will be held on 21 August at 11:00 at the memorial complex, 80 Mira Street; burial at 13:00 at the Southern Cemetery.”
8. Change of time or place
“Please note: the farewell for Sergei Ivanov has been moved to 12:00 on the same day, at the same address. The bus from the office leaves at 11:15.”
9. Memorial lunch on the ninth or fortieth day
“Friends, on 26 August it will be nine days since Mum passed away. We would be grateful if you could join us at home at 14:00 to remember her.”
10. Classmates’ chat
“Everyone, sad news. Our classmate Denis Morozov has died. The farewell is on Monday at 10:30 at the crematorium hall, 5 Energetikov Street.”
For collection messages see funeral collection announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What essential details belong in a funeral or memorial notice?
The full name of the deceased and who they were to the readers, the day, date and time of the farewell, the exact address of the chapel or hall with a landmark, the service and burial details, whether there will be a reception, and a contact person. Donation details, if any, go last on a separate line.
How do you write the time and place of a farewell?
“The farewell will take place on [weekday], [date], from [time] to [time] at [hall, street, number], [landmark].” The weekday and the end time help people who need to take time off work.
How do you invite people to a funeral?
Plainly: “Everyone who knew and loved [name] is invited to say goodbye.” Then the time and address, the cemetery and, if it is open to all, the reception. If the funeral is private, say so — “the farewell will be held privately with family” — and leave out the address.
How can you tactfully add family donation details?
Put them last, on their own line, with no pressure: “For those who wish to support the family, transfers can be made to… (bank, recipient’s name).” Never make it mandatory and never publish who gave how much.
Organise Support for the Family
If the team or class is collecting for the family, a free group shows who has contributed and what was spent on the wreath — without lists in the chat.
Create Support Group 🚀