Todesanzeige

Todesanzeige is a notice of death published in newspapers, online portals, or by funeral homes in German-speaking regions. It serves to inform the community of a death and to communicate funeral arrangements.

Typical content includes the deceased's full name, age at death, date and place of death, and details of the funeral or memorial service, such as date, time, and venue. Some notices also mention surviving relatives, occupations, and biographical highlights; donations to a charity may be requested in lieu of flowers.

In common usage, Todesanzeige is closely related to Traueranzeige (mourning notice). Nachruf is a longer obituary or tribute that reflects on the life of the deceased. The terms are not fixed rules, and regional usage varies.

Publication and format: Notices are typically paid advertisements and appear in local or regional newspapers, on funeral-home websites, and now on social platforms. They are not legal requirements, but serve as a public announcement and invitation to mourners.

Regional practice: The tradition is widespread in Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, with local variations in style and etiquette. Online notices have grown in prominence alongside traditional print notices.