Losing a loved one is an emotional burden that makes finding the "perfect words" feel impossible. You are asked to honor a life, you are asked to inform, you are asked to express some very deep truths and you don't get to do it without facing your own grief. This is a serious burden to bear that no one should be expected to bear alone.
This guide is designed to remove that stress. We provide a curated collection of Times of India obituary ad samples to help you draft respectful text for death notices, display ads, prayer meeting invitations, and 13th-day (Tehravin) ceremonies.
Elements of a Perfect Obituary Ad
It's good to know exactly what should be included in every well-written obituary ad before viewing examples. These can be considered as the fundamental blocks:
- Full name of deceased — Remember using their common name and any formal or professional title if applicable (e.g., Dr. Ramesh Sharma or Late Smt. Kamla Devi).
- Life dates – Date of birth, date of death. Others also include the deceased's age when they died.
- Family information – surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, etc. In general the entries are arranged in reverse order of kinship (spouse first; children next).
- Prayer meeting/funeral information — Date, time and complete address of any prayer meeting, the cremation or condolence gathering.
- A personal touch — Something special, like a meaningful line, religious verse, or simple phrase that tells of who they were. This is not required, but adds a more personal feel to the ad than a procedural.
- Contact information (optional) – Some families will provide a phone number to give condolences or directions to the site.
The formats that a death notice would be available in are text classified and display ads, the latter being a fixed box size with the option of a photo, and the former being charged by word or line per death notice. The above elements are applicable to both — only the presentation and layout will differ.
Short & Simple Obituary Advertisement Examples
Use these examples of short and simple obituary ads to help you write yours. When advertising classifieds in newspapers, size counts, as they're paid for by the word count. These examples are designed to be suitable for the classified section of the Times of India and have a length of 30-60 words, which is sufficient to communicate the information without overspending the budget.
Example 1 — Traditional Format
SHARMA — Sunita's beloved husband Late Sri Ramesh Kumar Sharma and loving father of Priya, Ankit and Deepak. He died on 14th May 2026 at the age of 78 in a peaceful manner. Prayer meeting will be held at 42, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi on Saturday, 18th May at 4:00 PM. He lived in grace, he died in peace.
Example 2 — Minimalist & Dignified
In Loving Memory — Smt. Kamla Devi Mehta (1940–2026). Late Shri Mohan Lal Mehta's wife. Loved to pieces by her sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Antim Ardas is held at the Sikh Temple, Sector 14, Chandigarh at 11 AM on Sunday (19th May). All are welcome.
Example 3 — Christian Format
On 13th May 2026, Maria Fernanda D'Souza, age 65, passed away with the Lord. Joseph D'Souza's cherished wife and mother of Peter and Angela. Interment will take place at the funeral mass held at Sacred Heart Church, Bandra, Mumbai on Friday, 16th May at 10:00 AM. I am the resurrection and the life. — John 11:25
Example 4 — Brief Announcement Only
KAPOOR — Smt. Leela Kapoor passed away on 15th May 2026. Neha, her daughter and Rajiv, her son-in-law are survived. Information about the cremation and prayer meeting will be given in private. The family requests condolences via phone call. Ph: 98XXXXXXXX.
When you want to post your obituary ad in a newspaper fast, and don't want the expense to be too high, these short format ads in the newspaper are the perfect choice. If you need to convey more information to the viewer, you have more space for a display ad.
Creative & Visual Obituary Ads in Newspaper
Obituary ads in the Times of India offer more than just information; they provide a canvas for a meaningful memorial. By utilizing display ad formats, you can include a high-quality photograph, decorative borders, custom typography, and expanded space for a heartfelt tribute. These are the preferred choice when you want the announcement to serve as a lasting public legacy rather than a standard notification.
Below are obituary text samples specifically designed for display formats, suitable for half-column, quarter-page, or larger newspaper layouts:
Example 5 — Tribute-Style Display Ad
Forever in Our Hearts
[Photo of the deceased]
Arvind Prasad Verma (Senior IAS Officer (Retd))
Born: 3rd August 1945 | Left us: 12th May 2026
Arvind ji was a man of silence, of great integrity, who served the nation and, above all, his family with great dedication throughout his life. He is survived by his wife, Savitri; his two sons, Nikhil and Suresh; his two daughters in law and four grandchildren named "Dadu" who loved him very much.
The good man gives a legacy to his children's children.
All friends, colleagues and well-wishers are invited to join us for the prayer meeting on Monday, 19th May 2026 - 5:00 PM | 17 Civil Lines, Allahabad
Example 6 — Emotional Family Tribute
We are all saddened to report that
Smt. Anita Rajesh Bose
Beloved Wife, Mother, Dadi (1952 – 2026)
You were the comfort of every house we walked into, the understanding behind every storm. We weren't sure how to say our farewells, but we'll say this: Thank you for loving us so much.
Survived by husband Rajesh, daughter Priti (Bengaluru) and son Sanjay (London) and grandchildren Riya and Arjun.
Condolence gathering will be held on Friday, 17th May, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM at 28, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata, NO FLOWERS. Charitable donations in her memory are welcome.
Examples of such display ads turn a death announcement in the newspaper into something that truly represents the person: their roles, their relationships and their spirit. They are more expensive than text classifieds, but have much more emotional impact.
Prayer Meeting & 13th Day Notice Samples
On the 13th day after the passing (Tehravin or Terva) many Hindu families hold a formal prayer gathering. Usually, a notice is published in the newspaper several days before the event so that family members and members of the community are able to attend.
Below are some sample notices for these events
Sample 7 — Prayer Meeting (General)
Prayer Meeting Notice
We pray that friends and family will come with us in prayer for the soul of the departed.
Late Shri Dinesh Chand Agarwal (14th April 1948– 3rd May 2026)
The Community Hall, RWA Block C, Mayur Vihar Phase-II, Delhi is the venue for this Prayer Gathering on Saturday, 16th May 2026 at 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
At 6:00 PM, Bhog & Antim Ardas will follow. Come and be part of the Agarwal Family.
Sample 8 — 13th Day (Tehravin) Notice
13th Day Notice — Tehravin
The family of Smt. Late Smt. Shakuntala Devi Gupta humbly welcomes you to the Tehravin ceremony, which will be held on:
Sunday, 25th May 2026 | 10:00 AM 54, Saket Colony, Lucknow
Bhog of Akhand Path to be held at 9 am. Help pray for our dear mother and grandmother.
"Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh" — The Gupta Family
Sample 9 — Christian Memorial Service
Memorial Mass
In loving memory of Mr. Anthony Fernandes (1955–2026). A Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael's Church, Mahim, Mumbai at 9.30 AM on his 13th day on Sunday 26th May, 2026 followed by prayers at his family residence: 7, Sea View Apartments, Juhu. Everyone from the parish and friends are invited.
Verses and Quotes to Include in a Times of India Obituary
An obituary becomes a true tribute when you include a line that captures the spirit of your loved one. Whether you are booking a Times of India Classified ad, the right words provide comfort to those grieving.
Below are selected verses and quotes appropriate for different faiths and sentiments. Choose the one that best resonates with the life you are honoring:
- Hindu / Universal:
- "Do not weep for me — I have not gone far, only around the corner."
- "The soul is neither born nor does it die." — Bhagavad Gita 2:20
- "He who has lived a life of love has never truly left."
- Sikh:
- "Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh"
- "Nanak says: All this is His play; He watches over and takes care of all." — Guru Granth Sahib
- Christian:
- "I am the resurrection and the life." — John 11:25
- "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." — Matthew 5:4
- "Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts."
- Muslim:
- "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return) — Quran 2:156
- "May Allah grant him/her the highest ranks in Jannah."
- Secular / Non-religious:
- "Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing." — Seneca
- "Those we love don't go away; they walk beside us every day."
- "She leaves behind a world made better by her presence in it."
Text Classified vs. Display Ad Comparison
If you're unsure which format to pick for your obituary advertisement, here is a quick comparison table to help you decide:
| Feature |
Text Classified Ad |
Classified Display / Display Ad |
| Word Limit |
Charged per word/line (Usually 30-80 words to keep costs low) |
Charged by size ($cm^2$). Flexible word count (100-300 words). |
| Cost Range |
₹500 – ₹2,500 (Budget-friendly) |
₹3,000 – ₹1.5L+ (Premium pricing) |
| Photo Option |
No photos allowed |
Yes, high-resolution photo recommended |
| Typical Use Case |
Urgent death notices, simple announcements |
Full obituaries, rich tributes, ceremony invitations |
FAQ: Obituary Advertisement Examples — Your Questions Answered
- Q1. What should the first line of an obituary advertisement be?
The first line should be the name of the person (in bold), or a brief phrase such as "With profound grief" or "It is with deep sorrow". It is very common that in most Times of India obituary ads start with the surname (capital letters) followed by the full name. Sample: "SHARMA — Late Shri Ramesh Kumar Sharma". This is a format that is easily recognized and is used to help readers skim through the column.
- Q2. May I publish a Poem in the Obituary in the Newspaper?
Short poems, or a verse, can be used in obituary ads, both in the text and in the display ads. If writing text classifieds, stick to two lines otherwise you will exceed the word limit. With display ads, you have more options. Pick verses that resonated with the deceased, or that were important to his or her family, such as religious hymns, Gurbani, Quranic passages, or secular poems; they're all featured in the Obituary Column of the Times of India.
- Q3. Do you have any examples of obituary advertisements for religious services?
Yes — many TOI obituary ads have reference to the religious rite to be observed. In Hindu families, it could be Antim Ardas, Tehravin or Pagdi ceremony. Akhand Path Bhog and Antim Ardas for the Sikh families. The typical reference to a Christian family is a Funeral Mass or Memorial Service. Timings of the Namaz-e-Janaza may be announced by Muslim families. State the name of the event in a clear manner and give venue and time.
- Q4. What is the proper way of writing “survived by”?
List survivors, starting with spouse, then children (wives/husbands), then grandchildren, then siblings. Where space permits use roles rather than names "beloved wife Sunita, sons Ankit and Deepak". After the immediate family, it is OK to use "and the entire Sharma family".
- Q5. Include cause of death?
This is up to you. As is the rule in most Indian newspaper obituaries, the cause of death is not always mentioned – particularly for sensitive or sudden deaths. Some phrases used instead of "death" include "passed away peacefully" or "after a brief illness". Whether or not to reveal the name of the person and/or his/her illness is at the discretion of the individual unless the person is well known and the illness is public knowledge.
- Q6. May I publish the ad in a language other than English in TOI?
Yes. The Times of India regional editions (Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi etc.) have obituary advertisements in Hindi and regional languages in the regional column. Bilingual ads (English with a Hindi or other language verse or closing line) are also welcome. Please consult the TOI ad booking desk for language-specific guidelines.
- Q7. How many words should a text obituary be?
The price of Times of India text classified obituaries is generally based on the number of words or lines. There is no hard word limit for Times of India text classified obituary ads. But, most families only use text ads that are 30 to 80 words in length to keep expenses reasonable. Display ads can be bought by size of box (column centimetres) - you're more flexible! A 5cm × 2 column display ad provides about 100–150 words and a picture.
- Q8. What to say in the ad about "No flowers requested"?
Just put it at the end: "No flowers, please." If the deceased had a cause to which he or she gave his or her attention, many families also design a charity, such as a cancer foundation or a children's education trust. This makes a plain note a forever remainder.
- Q9. Let me look at the Obituary Column from The Times of India for inspiration?
Yes. Times of India obituaries and death notice are published every day in its classified section usually on the back pages or in a classifieds pullout. The Obituary Column in the Times of India can also be read online as TOI ePaper or on authorised ad booking platforms today. By checking the ads of the past, you can understand the tone, format, and length of the ads before you write them.
- Q10. Maybe a new picture or an old picture?
Both are okay, it is personal choice. Many families want a photo of the person later in life, when he or she was known by most people. Others opt for a portrait from their younger or midlife years that was meaningful to their spirit. Times of India usually accept JPEG images of 300 DPI or higher for use in an obituary ad. Don't take photographs with too much background or group shots, a clear, good face image will do best in print.
Conclusion: Words That Honor a Life
No obituary ad can fully capture a person — but the right words come close. They tell the world that someone was here, that they were loved, and that they will be missed. That's not a small thing.
Use the obituary advertisement examples in this guide as a starting point, not a script. Add the details that are uniquely theirs — the nickname only family used, the verse they recited every morning, the simple fact that the house feels quieter without them.
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