Sharing the news of a death has always been an essential part of human society, ingrained in our customs, values, and sense of belonging. In order to honor and commemorate the deceased, ancient societies such as the Egyptians and Romans occasionally placed inscriptions, offerings, or engravings close to their graves.
From solemn declarations in town squares to papyrus announcements in ancient Rome’s Acta Diurna around 59 BCE, the methods of announcing a death also changed as societies did, eventually leading to the printed death notices and obituaries we are familiar with today. These early announcements laid the foundation for the rich tradition of public remembrance that still exists today, both in print and digital formats, by informing the community and inviting others to join in mass mourning.
Beyond sentimentality, the question “Are death notices still relevant?” explores how communities, families, and the media adjust to change while maintaining meaning and dignity.
This article was sparked by an open discussion with Paul Muldoon and Lisa Mulholland from Mediahuis Ireland. A behind-the-scenes look at how these customs are adjusting to the digital age was offered by their observations regarding the status and development of death notices and obituaries in 2025.
The Shifting Landscape of Death Notices
For many generations, posting a notice of death in the local newspaper was a necessary custom. “Do people still post death notices in newspapers?” is a question that many people ask today. And in particular, “Why do death notices still appear in newspapers in 2025?” Though it still exists, the digital age and shifting social mores are reshaping the tradition.
Paul Muldoon summed up the shift:
“We see our classified volumes drop every single year and it’ll eventually come to the stage where, you know, it’ll be defunct from a print point of view… but it has been a critical part of our business to allow us to… be digital first and to protect the future.”
Online obituaries and funeral notices online are overtaking traditional formats, allowing families to share news more rapidly and with a wider audience.
Importance of Death Notices for Families Today
Despite changes in format, the importance of death notices for families today remains undiminished. These notices provide a public space for commemoration and community support.
Lisa Mulholland highlighted the emotional value families place on their notices:
“This is their notice; this is for their loved one. They want to put this in and they’re taking great pride in it.”
She noted the move online doesn’t diminish the care taken:
“We very rarely have to make any edits to people’s in mems because they’re actually lovely… it’s been a success in terms of style and knowing that it’s their family notice.”
Newspaper Obituaries vs. Modern Online Tributes
Many ask, “What’s the difference between an obituary and a death notice in a newspaper?” Traditionally, a death notice is a formal announcement in the classifieds section, while newspaper obituaries are longer stories about the deceased’s life. In digital spaces, these differences blur as both can be enriched with memories, photos, and multimedia.
Over the last five years, Google searches for the term “obituaries” have increased by 200%, suggesting that obituary content is becoming more and more popular online, according to the National Newspaper Association Foundation.
The same article by the National Newspaper Association Foundation also stated that: Strong user interest in obituaries was demonstrated by a 2018 study conducted by a major American newspaper group, which found that the obituary section received 39% of all top-level navigation clicks on their website, compared to 17% for news and 8% for sports.
Relevance to the Media and the Development of Digitalization Today
So, in 2025, will death notices still be relevant? Yes, but the speed at which they are adjusting to the digital environment makes them relevant to the media today. To meet contemporary expectations while maintaining their business models, media companies such as Mediahuis are adopting a digital-first approach. This entails developing a new obituary revenue model and carefully handling issues like obituary piracy.
Even though traditional print death notices and classifieds are becoming less common, Paul Muldoon explains that they have been crucial in facilitating the shift to digital platforms and safeguarding the future of obituary services.
Media outlets can now provide improved features like these thanks to online platforms:
- Instant publication and worldwide dissemination of notifications;
- Multimedia tributes with images, music, and videos;
- Legacy-preserving digital memorials that are safe and permanent.
In addition to keeping death notices and obituaries current, this digital revolution gives the media new ways to provide bereaved families with more flexibility, reach, and emotional support.
Conclusion
Obituaries and death notices have not vanished; rather, they have changed to become more interactive, accessible, and intimate. They give families fresh ideas for life celebrations and foster community ties across generations and distances. Remembering loved ones will live on in the future thanks to the fusion of traditional obituary customs with cutting-edge digital tools, which will have a profound impact on both our hearts and our technology.
