Obituary Writing Support — A Thoughtful First Draft

Yes. Writing an obituary can take time — deciding what to include, finding the right structure, and bringing everything together clearly. Getting help with a first draft can reduce some of that work while still leaving you in control of the final obituary.

Our Obituary Draft service gives you a clear, respectful first draft shaped from the memories and information you share, ready for you to review, personalise, and make your own.

You do not need to have everything organised before you begin. Our guided questionnaire helps you share the key details, memories, and personal touches you would like included. Even a few notes are enough for us to get started.

There is also space to share relevant information about family, important parts of their life, your location and preferences, and any cultural or faith traditions you would like us to be aware of.

AI and online obituary tools can generate an obituary quickly and at lower cost, and for some people that may be all the help they need. But you still manage the process — reviewing the wording, adding missing details, adjusting the tone, and working back and forth until it feels right.

With a DBS Obituary Draft, you share your key details and memories once, and a real person takes on more of that process. We consider the wider context too — including your location, wording preferences, and any relevant cultural or faith considerations.

We then shape what you have shared into a clear, respectful first draft, with personalised guidance to help you review it and add your final details — giving you more space to focus on what matters most while you remain in control of the final obituary.

Yes. Every Obituary Draft includes Personalisation Guidance tailored to your obituary, the information you have shared with us, and any questions or concerns you may have discussed with us. It is not simply generic guidance added to every order.

Because a real person has considered your obituary and what you have shared, the guidance can focus on areas that may genuinely help you — such as wording you may wish to personalise, details you could consider adding, or places where your own touches could make the obituary feel more complete.

Your obituary is provided as a first draft for you to review and personalise. As this is a first-draft service, revisions by DBS are not included.

There is no single right length. A shorter obituary of around 200 words can cover the essential details and personal touches, while 300–400 words gives you more space for memories, personality, and the story of their life. Our Obituary Drafts are available in 200, 300, and 400-word options.

Your draft can be personalised for use in newspapers, funeral programmes, online memorials, and social media. If you plan to submit it to a newspaper or another platform, we recommend checking its individual word limits and submission requirements before choosing your draft length.

Your obituary draft will be delivered by email within 24 hours after completed payment and receiving the information we need.

Once you have shared what matters, you can step away from the writing while we get your first draft underway. If you are working towards a particular publication or service date, you are welcome to let us know.