Death notices WA families place in newspapers and online are often the first public news of a loss, and writing one can feel hard when you don’t know where to start. A few short lines let friends, colleagues and the wider community know the news and, when the time comes, where to say goodbye. This guide explains the difference between a death notice and a funeral notice, what to write, where death notices in WA are published and how to find one.
Death and Funeral Notices in WA: The Essentials
- A death notice announces that someone has died. A funeral notice tells people when and where the service will be held.
- Include the person's full name, date of death, age if you wish, close family and a short personal message.
- In WA, notices are commonly placed in The West Australian, local newspapers, funeral home websites and online notice pages.
- Notices are not required by law in Australia. They are a choice, and some families keep things private.
- Your funeral director can help you word a notice and talk you through placing it.
In this article
- What is the difference between a death notice and a funeral notice?
- What should you include in a death notice?
- How to write a death notice: example wording
- Where are death notices published in WA?
- When should you place a death notice?
- Can a funeral director place a death notice for you?
- How to find a death notice in WA
- Sharing the News with Care
- Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a death notice and a funeral notice?
A death notice announces that a person has died, while a funeral notice gives the details of the service so people can attend. Some families publish both, and others combine them into one notice.
A death notice is often placed in the first few days. It can be as simple as a name, a date and a few words from the family. A funeral notice follows once the funeral is confirmed and lists the date, time and place of the service, along with any requests, such as donations to a charity in place of flowers or a colour to wear.
An obituary is different again. It is a longer story about the person's life, their work, achievements and the people they loved, and it is usually written as an article rather than a short notice.
What should you include in a death notice?
A good death notice is short, clear and personal: the person's full name, the date they died and a few words from the people who loved them. Everything else is optional.
Most death notices in WA include some or all of the following:
- Full name, including a maiden name or a well-known nickname
- Date of death and, if you wish, where they died (for example, "peacefully at home")
- Age or date of birth
- Close family, such as a partner, children, grandchildren and siblings
- A short personal message, a favourite saying or a line of verse
- Funeral details, or a note that they will be announced later
- Donation requests, if the family would prefer a gift to a charity in lieu of flowers
- A livestream link, if the service will be streamed for people who can't attend
You don't need to include the cause of death. "Passed away peacefully" or "after a long illness" is enough for most families. Before you send it, ask someone else to read it carefully, especially the spelling of every name.
How to write a death notice: example wording
There is no right or wrong format. These short examples use fictional names and can be adapted to suit your family.
Example death notice
PARKER, Margaret Anne (Peg). Passed away peacefully at home on 9 October 2026, aged 84. Dearly loved wife of the late Robert. Loving mother of Susan, David and Claire, and adored Nana of six. Forever in our hearts. Funeral details to be announced.
Example funeral notice
The relatives and friends of Mrs Margaret Anne (Peg) PARKER are warmly invited to attend her funeral service, to be held at [venue name], [address], on Friday 16 October 2026 commencing at 11.00am. In lieu of flowers, donations to [charity name] would be appreciated. Please wear a touch of Peg's favourite colour, blue.
Example notice from friends or colleagues
PARKER, Peg. Treasured friend and fellow volunteer for over 30 years. Your kindness and laughter will be missed by all of us at [club or group name]. Rest peacefully, Peg.
Notices from wider family, friends, clubs and workplaces are often published alongside the family's notice. They are a lovely way for others to share their sympathy.
Where are death notices published in WA?
In Western Australia, death and funeral notices are most often published in The West Australian newspaper, in local or regional papers, and online. Choose the places that will reach the people who knew your loved one.
- The West Australian. The West has published death and funeral notices for generations, with records indexed back to 1925, and the paper is published Monday to Saturday. Contact the newspaper's notices team or ask your funeral director about how to book, deadlines and costs.
- Local and regional newspapers. If your loved one lived in a regional town or was well known in a particular community, a local paper may reach more of the people who knew them.
- Funeral home websites. Many funeral directors publish notices and upcoming service details on their own websites.
- Online notice and memorial pages. Several websites host death and funeral notices, and some keep them online permanently so people can return to leave a message.
- Social media and community groups. Family Facebook posts, church newsletters, clubs and workplaces can help spread the word quickly.
Costs vary between publications and usually depend on the length of the notice, whether it appears in print, online or both, and how many days it runs. Always ask for a quote before you confirm.
When should you place a death notice?
There is no set rule, but most families place a death notice within the first few days and a funeral notice once the date, time and venue are confirmed. This gives people time to make arrangements to attend.
Before you place a funeral notice, make sure the venue and time are locked in so you don't need to correct it. If you're still working through the timing, our guide to how long after death the funeral is held may help. You may also want to make sure close family and friends hear the news personally before it appears in print or online.
If you are choosing a private cremation now and a memorial gathering later, you can publish a death notice straight away and a separate notice about the memorial when it's planned.
Can a funeral director place a death notice for you?
Yes. Death and funeral notices are often arranged by families and funeral homes together, and a funeral director can help with the wording, the details of the service and where to publish.
This is especially helpful in the first days after a death, when there is a lot to organise. A funeral director knows what information needs to be included and can check that the service details in the notice match the booking. Read more about what a funeral director does, or see our step-by-step guide to planning a funeral in Perth.
If you are arranging a funeral with Gift of Grace Funerals, just ask us about notices when we meet. We're happy to help you write something that feels right.
How to find a death notice in WA
To find a recent death notice in WA, start with The West Australian, local newspapers and funeral home websites. For older notices, the Ryerson Index and Trove are the best places to search.
- Recent notices: check The West Australian's notices, the local paper for the area where the person lived, and the website or social media of the funeral home caring for the family. If you know which funeral home is involved, you can also contact them directly.
- Today's funerals at Perth cemeteries: the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board publishes a View Today's Funerals listing covering Karrakatta, Fremantle, Pinnaroo Valley, Rockingham, Guildford and Midland.
- Older notices in The West Australian: the Ryerson Index, run by a volunteer non-profit, indexes death and funeral notices from The West Australian back to 1925. It tells you the date a notice appeared so you can then find the notice itself.
- Historical newspapers: the National Library of Australia's Trove holds digitised newspapers and is a good first stop for older notices. Your State Library can also help with microfilm and research questions.
- Cemetery records: the WA Government's cemetery records search covers burials, cremations and memorials at Perth metropolitan cemeteries dating back to 1899.
Sharing the News with Care
A death notice is a simple way to let your community know that someone special has died and how they can pay their respects. Keep the wording clear, include the details people need, and add a personal line that captures who your loved one was.
There is no right or wrong way to do it, and placing a notice is always a choice. If you would like help with the wording or with getting a notice published, ask your funeral director.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a death notice and a funeral notice?
A death notice announces that someone has died and usually includes their name, date of death, family and a short message. A funeral notice gives the date, time and place of the service so people can attend. Some families publish both, while others combine them into one.
Do you have to put a death notice in the paper in WA?
No. Death and funeral notices are not compulsory in Australia. Many families publish one so the community can share their sympathy and attend the funeral, but you can choose to keep the news private or share it only online.
Where do I place a death notice in Perth?
Most Perth families place notices in The West Australian, with some also using local newspapers, funeral home websites and online notice pages. Your funeral director can talk you through the options and help you with the wording.
How do I find a death notice from years ago in WA?
Search the Ryerson Index, which indexes death and funeral notices from The West Australian back to 1925, to find the date a notice was published. You can then look for the notice itself through Trove, a State Library or the newspaper's archive.
What should I write in a short death notice?
Include the person's full name, date of death and age if you wish, then name close family and add a short personal message. Keep it simple: a few warm, honest lines are often the most meaningful.
Need help with a notice or funeral arrangements?
Gift of Grace Funerals is a family-owned funeral home in O'Connor, guiding families across Perth through every step, from the first phone call to the notices and the service. We're here 24 hours a day.
