Obituary submission guide

Obituary Submission Guide

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Losing someone you love is deeply personal. Writing an obituary is one meaningful way to honor their life, share their story, and preserve their memory for future generations.

This page allows you to submit a full obituary for your loved one. The process is simple, respectful, and designed to guide you step by step. Most submissions take only a few minutes to complete. Once published, the obituary becomes a lasting tribute that friends and family can access at any time.

What Is an Obituary?

An obituary is more than an announcement of death. It is a written remembrance of a life lived.

It may include:

  • Full name and nickname
  • Date and place of birth
  • Date and place of passing
  • Family members and relationships
  • Career, military service, or community involvement
  • Personal interests, hobbies, or faith
  • Special memories or meaningful traits
  • Funeral or memorial service details
  • Charitable donation preferences

An obituary gives space to celebrate milestones, express gratitude, and share the qualities that made your loved one unique. While a death notice may be brief, a full obituary allows you to tell a fuller story.

Start Posting an Obituary

Why Post an Obituary With The U.S. Will Registry?

The U.S. Will Registry was established in 1997 to help families locate where a loved one’s will was stored or identify the attorney who drafted it. Our obituary directory supports that mission by preserving accurate identifying information in one central location.

When you post here:

  • The obituary becomes part of a national, searchable public directory
  • Friends and extended family can access it easily
  • Future will-search efforts are supported by verified personal details
  • The tribute remains available long after newspaper notices disappear

Because obituary publishing is decentralized across newspapers, funeral homes, and websites, no single source contains everything. Our directory functions as a complementary national layer within that ecosystem, helping preserve information responsibly.

We do not charge funeral homes or families to post obituaries. We also moderate submissions under our published standards and terms of service to reduce false or inaccurate information.

A Thoughtful, Guided Process

We understand that you may be completing this during an emotional time. For that reason, our form is structured to be clear and supportive.

  • Step 1: Complete the Obituary Form

    Enter the requested information about your loved one. You may write a short tribute or a longer life story.

  • Step 2: Upload a Photo (Optional)

    You may include a photograph. Many families choose a recent image or a meaningful portrait.

  • Step 3: Provide Service Details (Optional)

    If services are public, you may include dates, times, and locations.

  • Step 4: Review and Submit

    Once submitted, our team reviews the obituary for completeness and accuracy.

  • Step 5: Publication and Confirmation

    After approval, the obituary is published in our public directory. You will receive confirmation so you know it is active and viewable.

Information to Gather Before You Begin

To make the process smooth, we recommend gathering the following:

  • Full legal name of the deceased
  • Date of birth
  • Date of death
  • City and state of residence
  • Obituary text
  • Photograph (optional)
  • Funeral or memorial information (optional)
  • Your contact details for verification

Having this information ready will help you complete the form quickly and confidently.

Writing Tips for a Meaningful Obituary

If you are unsure where to begin, consider these simple prompts:

  • What did people admire most about them?
  • What made them smile?
  • What values did they live by?
  • What achievements brought them pride?
  • How did they impact their family or community?

You do not need formal language. Speak from the heart. Even a few thoughtful paragraphs can become a cherished record for generations.

Privacy, Accuracy, and Cost

Posting an obituary on The U.S. Will Registry is free.

We believe honoring a life should not depend on publication fees. Many newspapers charge hundreds of dollars for print placement. Our directory offers an accessible alternative for families nationwide.

Your submission is reviewed before publication. We do not allow knowingly false or misleading information. Contact details provided for verification are kept private and secure.

If you later choose to search our national will registry database to determine whether a will was registered, that service carries only a nominal fee. Obituary posting itself remains free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. There is no strict word limit. You may write a short announcement or a detailed life story. We encourage families to share as much as they feel comfortable preserving.

If corrections or updates are needed, contact us. We understand that additional information may become available after submission.

No. Posting an obituary does not register a will. Will registration is a separate process completed through our official will registration service.

Most submissions are reviewed promptly. You will receive confirmation once the obituary is approved and published.

No. Newspaper publications often charge fees and may remove older listings. Our directory provides a lasting online record accessible without subscription costs.

A Lasting Tribute

An obituary preserves more than dates and facts. It captures a story. It protects memory. It creates a public space where friends, relatives, and future generations can reflect.

By submitting an obituary here, you are helping ensure that your loved one’s life is remembered and accessible. You are also supporting accurate record-keeping that may assist families during estate administration.

Submit Your Obituary

When you are ready, begin your submission below. Your words matter. Your tribute will remain available for years to come.

Start Obituary Form