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Q: What's the difference between an obituary and a eulogy?

An obituary is a written notice — biographical facts, dates, family — usually published in a newspaper or online. A eulogy is a spoken tribute delivered at the funeral service. Both honour the deceased but serve different purposes.

Answer a few questions about your loved one. Get a publish-ready obituary for newspapers or memorial websites — free, no signup, no cost.

Full name *

Date of birth *

Date of passing *

Hometown / city they lived in

Career or life's work

Survived by *

Preceded in death by (optional)

Education or notable achievements (optional)

A few words describing who they were

Funeral or memorial service details (optional)

WiseReply generates AI-assisted text for personal use only. Please review and verify all dates and biographical details before publishing. WiseReply accepts no liability for errors in published obituaries.

Your information is never stored

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What should an obituary include?

A well-written obituary covers the biographical essentials — full name, dates, hometown, career, family — but the ones that feel genuinely personal add something beyond the facts: a brief phrase about who the person was, a mention of what they loved, or a single detail that makes them immediately recognizable to anyone who knew them. The goal is to honour a life, not just record a death.

Standard Obituary Structure

"[Full name], [age], of [city], passed away peacefully on [date]. Born on [date] in [place], [he/she] spent [career/life summary]. [He/She] is survived by [family]. [Optional: service details.] [Optional: a sentence about donations or memorial wishes.]"

How much does it cost to publish an obituary?

Newspaper obituaries in the US typically cost between $200 and $500 for a standard notice, with major metropolitan papers charging significantly more. Online memorial sites like Legacy.com or Findagrave allow free or low-cost postings. WiseReply generates the obituary text for free — publication costs depend on where you choose to post it.

Where to Publish

"Local newspaper (print + online): $200–500 · Legacy.com: free basic listing · Funeral home website: usually included in funeral costs · Personal social media: free, can reach the most people quickly."

How long should an obituary be?

For print newspapers, 150–250 words is standard due to per-word or per-line pricing. For online memorial sites, 300–500 words allows more personal detail. WiseReply generates obituaries in the range appropriate for the details you provide — you can always trim for print or expand for online use.

Print vs Online

"Print obituary: 150–250 words, biographical facts only, minimal personal detail. Online obituary: 300–500 words, room for personality, memories, and a more personal tone. Both are worth writing."

Obituary vs eulogy — what's the difference?

An obituary is a written notice of death — biographical facts published in a newspaper or online memorial. A eulogy is a spoken tribute delivered at the funeral service — personal, emotional, focused on who the person was. An obituary records the facts of a life. A eulogy honours the feeling of it. Both have their place, and WiseReply can help you write both.

Which One Do You Need First?

"The obituary typically needs to be submitted within 2–3 days of the death for it to run before or around the funeral service. The eulogy can be written up until the day before the service."

🎤 Also need to write a eulogy? See Free Eulogy Writer

💬 Need to reply to condolence messages? See Difficult Message Replies

Also need to reply to condolence messages or thank-you notes after the service?

Once the obituary is published, messages of sympathy will arrive. WiseReply helps you respond to each one with warmth and grace — without having to find the words yourself.

Generate a condolence reply →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should an obituary be? ▾

Newspaper obituaries are typically 150–250 words due to print costs. Online obituaries can be longer — 300–500 words. WiseReply generates obituaries in both ranges depending on how much detail you provide.

What's the difference between an obituary and a eulogy? ▾

An obituary is a written notice — biographical facts published in a newspaper or online. A eulogy is a spoken tribute at the funeral service. Both honour the deceased but serve different purposes.

Can I use this obituary for a newspaper? ▾

Yes — the generated obituary is formatted in standard newspaper style. You may need to trim it to meet word count limits for print.

Is my information stored? ▾

No. WiseReply does not store any personal details you enter. Everything is processed immediately and discarded.