Funeral notices play an important role in letting people know when someone has died and sharing the details of the funeral service. At a time when families are dealing with loss, they provide clear, practical information and a way for the wider community to pay their respects.

What are Funeral Notices?

Funeral notices are short public announcements that provide necessary details and information to inform people that someone has died and any upcoming funeral arrangements. You may also hear them referred to as death and funeral notices.

In Guernsey, funeral notices are commonly published both in print and online. They let friends, extended family, colleagues and members of the community know important details, such as:

• When and where the funeral will take place
• Whether the service is open to all or by invitation
• Any dress code or attire information 
• Any specific requests, such as family flowers only or charitable donations

When should you publish a funeral notice?

Funeral notices are usually placed once the date, time and location of the service have been confirmed. This is often a few days after the death, depending on how quickly arrangements are made. In most cases, notices are published several days before the funeral to allow people time to make plans to attend.

If the funeral is private, families may still choose to publish a notice to inform the community of the death, even if service details are not shared.

Your funeral director can guide you on timing and deadlines, particularly for local newspapers.

Where do funeral notices appear?

Funeral notices typically appear in one or more of the following places:

Local newspapers

Traditional print newspapers remain a common place for funeral notices. They reach members of the community and those who may not use social media.

Many local papers also publish notices on their websites, creating a digital version alongside the print notice. For example, the Guernsey Press publish funeral notices through the Family Notices website. 

To organise a notice with a local newspaper, typically your funeral director will help to draft and arrange publication. 

Funeral director websites

Some funeral directors now host funeral notices on their own websites, making it easier for family and friends to find accurate service details in one place.At Beckfords, we can publish a funeral notice on our website as part of the arrangements.

We also offer our Lives Remembered service, which is open to everyone and completely free of charge, even if we were not involved in the funeral. If you would like your loved one’s funeral details listed online, simply email the information to us and we will publish it on your behalf.

What details are included in funeral notices?

While every notice is slightly different, most funeral notices include:

• Full name of the person who has died
• Any other names the person may be known by
• Date of death
• Age, if the family wishes to include it
• Funeral date, time and location
• Information about who is invited
• Floral or donation requests

Some families choose to add a short message or line that reflects the person’s character. Others prefer to keep the notice brief and practical.

There is no right or wrong approach. The wording can be as simple or as personal as you feel comfortable with.

How Much Notice Should be Given For a Funeral

The amount of notice given for a funeral will usually depend on how quickly arrangements can be confirmed and how many people need to be informed. In most cases, families aim to provide at least several days’ notice so friends, relatives and members of the community have time to make plans to attend. Your funeral director can advise on realistic timeframes and publication deadlines to ensure everyone who wishes to attend has the opportunity to do so.

Common questions families ask

Q: Do we have to publish a funeral notice?
A: No. It is entirely optional. Some families rely on word of mouth, while others value the wider reach of a public notice.

Q: What if we only want close family at the service?
A: You can state that the funeral is private, while still acknowledging the death publicly.

Support at Every Step

If you are unsure about funeral notices or need guidance on wording and placement, speaking with an experienced funeral director can make the process much simpler and less stressful.

At a time when there is already a lot to think about, having someone guide you through the practical details can be a real relief. From choosing the right wording to deciding where and when to publish, a funeral director can ensure everything is handled clearly and respectfully.

If you would like support arranging or publishing a funeral notice, our team is here to help. We can talk you through the options and take care of the practical steps, so you can focus on what matters most.