Grief never ends — the love changes, but it does not go away. On that one harrowing date each year, families nationwide in India have a way of keeping their loved one's spirit alive – by publishing a death anniversary ad in Times of India.

Remembrances placed anywhere by a parent, spouse or a loved and cherished elder will touch the lives of millions of readers of TOI, which is India's most widely circulated English daily. The process can be daunting when already burdened with grief – the format, the message, the rates, booking in before the deadline.

Here you will find all the information on ad formats and pricing, the step-by-step booking process, sample ads and answers to the most frequently asked questions families have. At the end of the day you'll know what to do and when to do it.

What Is a Death Anniversary Advertisement in a Newspaper?

Death anniversary advertisement also known as remembrance ad, tribute ad or barsi/varsi notice, is an advertisement printed in newspapers for the purpose of commemorating the death of a loved one on the anniversary of the event.

A remembrance ad is published once a year, on the 1st (or subsequent) anniversary of the death or on the 5th or 10th anniversary, as the family wishes or chooses. It's a public tribute: a public way of telling them, “They're still remembered, still loved, still missed.”

These are published in the dedicated ‘Times Tribute' or ‘Obituary' section of the Times of India and thus provide a dignified platform for the families to share the grief and memories with the community.

Why Choose Times of India for Your Remembrance Ad?

The Times of India is the largest English language daily newspaper in the world in terms of circulation with presence in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi and more. TOI is a favorite choice for families for these reasons:

• Strong brand identities — built on the basis of millions of readers, in metro and tier-2 cities.
• Massive reach — strong brand identities built on millions of readers in metro and tier-2 cities.
• Multiple city editions — publish in one or more cities at once.
• Dedicated tribute section — your ad is displayed with other remembrance notices and not with other classified ads.
• Online booking: Book from home in less than 15 minutes 24/7.
• The dignity of your tribute is gained by the trusted credibility of publishing history; 185+ years.

Related: How to write an obituary notice in India

Death Anniversary Advertisement Formats in Times of India

TOI offers three main formats. Choose based on your budget, the message length, and whether you want to include a photo.

1. Classified Text Ad

The most inexpensive choice. Your message will be displayed as plain text in the classified section, and will be paid for line by line or word by word.

• Ideal for: Brief obituaries, low funds or just a name and date notice.
• Photo: Not allowed
• Average cost: Rs. 800 – Rs. 2000 (City edition and Line count)
• Minimum: Usually 5 lines

2. Classified Display Ad

A step up: your ad is placed in a box with borders and you can even have a picture of your loved one. Charges are charged per square centimetre.

• Ideal for: Families that wish for a photo tribute with a personalized message.
• The photos will be treated as images with a high resolution, preferably 300 DPI.
• Cost: ₹3,000–₹15,000 depending on size and edition.
• Design: Basic borders and placement of photos.

3. Display Ad (Full Custom)

The premium option. Full format, larger, can have custom graphics, decorative borders, poetry or several photos. Often prominent; written on the editorial pages.

• Ideal uses: High-profile families, large-scale tributes, or big anniversaries (e.g., the 10th or 25th anniversaries).
• Photo: Yes, multiple.
• Typical cost: ₹15,000–₹50,000+ (metro editions).
• Design: Fully customizable; some agencies will provide design assistance.

Format Comparison

How to Book a Death Anniversary Advertisement in Times of India: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

Book through one of two channels:

• Official TOI portal: ads.timesofindia.com — direct booking, best rates
• Authorized ad agencies: useful if you want design help or don't want to handle the process yourself.

Both channels have been proven to be reliable. The official portal is quick for simple text or display classified ads.

Step 2: Select the Category and Edition

Once on the portal:

• Click on Obituary / Remembrance as the name of the ad.
• Select your city edition(s) – Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, etc.
• Choose the number of cities and editions you would like to pick up.

Pro tip: Metro (Delhi, Mumbai) is more expensive per sq. cm than smaller city Metro's. When your audience is local, stick to your local area. It can be beneficial if the family resides in multiple cities within India, in which case a multi city package may make sense.

Step 3: Draft Your Message

Create your tribute or use one of the provided templates (see templates below). Also make sure to have:

• A good quality photograph (JPEG or PNG, at least 300 DPI)
• Name, date of birth and date of death of the deceased.

Step 4: Select Your Publication Date

Select the date you wish the ad to run, preferably the anniversary date. Please book in advance of 2-3 days. Weekend/Sunday editions are available for booking up to 4 days in advance as they sell out rapidly.

Step 5: Preview, Verify, and Pay

• Read through the ad as it will actually be printed.
• Pay attention to spelling, dates, and location of photos.
• Full payment through UPI, Credit/Debit card or Net banking.

You will get an email confirming your ad booking and a reference number.

Times of India Remembrance Ad Rates in 2026

Rates vary by city edition, ad size, format, and colour. Here are approximate ranges:

Note: Colour ads cost 25–40% more than black-and-white. Rates are indicative; always verify the current rate card on the TOI portal before booking, as prices are updated periodically. Last updated: May 2026.

Related: Newspaper ad booking guide India

How to Write a Heartfelt Death Anniversary Message

The message is the heart of your tribute. It doesn't need to be elaborate — it needs to be true.

Essential Elements to Include

• Full name of the deceased
• Life span — Date of birth to date of passing (e.g., 12 Jan 1945 – 4 June 2019)
• Anniversary marker — "On your 5th death anniversary" or "Five years without you"
• A personal line — A quality you loved, a memory, a favourite phrase of theirs, or a short poem
• Family sign-off — Names of spouse, children, grandchildren, and family name

Sample Death Anniversary Messages for TOI

Tips for Keeping It Concise Yet Impactful

• Lead with their name — it's their tribute, not yours.
• Limit to 50–80 words for classified text ads (cost-effective and punchy).
• For display ads, you have more space — but still aim for quality over quantity.
• Avoid generic phrases like "departed soul" or "left for heavenly abode" if you can write something more personal.
• If including a religious verse or Sanskrit shloka, verify spelling carefully before submission.

Deadlines, Documentation, and What to Watch Out For

Booking Deadlines

If you miss even one day of the deadline, you won't be able to show your ad on the anniversary day! If this occurs, then you can publish the next day with a note: "Remembered yesterday on your [X]th death anniversary."

Is a Death Certificate Required?

Yes, in most cases. Usually one of the following documents is needed to verify the claim through the TOI portal and with authorized agencies:

• Death Certificate duplicate (most common)
• Proof of the person who is making the booking of the ad (must be valid government ID).

There may be instances where an agency will accept a re-declaration on its own. The verification step is in place to ward off fraudulent and malicious tribute ads. Have the death certificate scanned and available on hand when making online bookings. For official death certificate guidelines, refer to the Registrar General of India.

Honoring Their Memory, One Anniversary at a Time

A death anniversary notice in Times of India is more than a mere notice, it is a public statement of love that transcends grief. In a few square centimetres of a newspaper page, you can save a name, a face and a legacy for everyone who reads it.

It's a simple thing to do if you know the steps: select your format, write a message from the heart, book 2-3 days ahead of time, and have your documentation ready. Whether you choose a text tribute or a full page display ad, ultimately the important thing is that the memory is respected, publicly, proudly and with dignity.

Make your bookings with ads.timesofindia.com or contact a designated TOI ad agency. Take time to get it right – they deserve nothing less.

Related Links

• Sample obituary messages in English for Indian newspapers
• Times of India Obituary Ads Portal
• Death Anniversary Ads Newspaper Network