How Much Does an Obituary Cost? Understanding Pricing

Obituary costs vary widely depending on where you publish and how long the tribute is. Understanding your options helps you make informed decisions during a difficult time.

Newspaper Obituary Costs

Newspaper pricing varies substantially by publication, market, day of the week, word or line count, photo options, and how long the notice remains online. Some funeral-home packages include a basic notice; others pass the newspaper charge through separately.

Ask the publication for a written quote before submitting. Confirm the included word count, the cost of a photo, whether the notice also appears online, how corrections are handled, and the deadline for your preferred edition.

Online Memorial Costs

• Funeral home website: may be included with services
• Newspaper partner page: may be bundled with a paid print notice
• Dedicated memorial site: may be free, a one-time purchase, or a subscription

Check how long the page remains available, whether visitors can post publicly, and whether you can export the content before choosing a provider.

Professional Writing Services

• Freelance obituary writers: $150-$500
• Funeral home writing assistance: Often included in packages
• AI obituary generators: $0–$19 (ObituaryAI is free to create)

Ways to Reduce Costs

1. Start with an online obituary - Free or low-cost
2. Write a shorter newspaper notice - Link to full online version
3. Use AI assistance - Professional quality at fraction of cost
4. Ask about package deals - Funeral homes may include writing
5. Share on social media - Free and reaches many people

ObituaryAI Pricing

We believe everyone deserves a beautiful obituary regardless of budget:

• Free: Create, read, and copy a complete obituary at any length and tone — no account required.
• Premium — $19 one-time: Unlock print-ready Word & PDF downloads, email delivery, up to three guided revisions in any length, and a shareable online memorial page.
• Professional use: Contact us for current high-volume options and terms.

Create an affordable obituary that doesn't compromise on quality.