Obituary Writing Services - National Price Guide 2026
Writing an obituary during grief is one of the hardest tasks families face. You're summarizing a life while managing logistics, emotions, and often a newspaper deadline. Whether you write it yourself or hire help, we'll make sure you're not overpaying.
Funeral homes in your area often charge $200-$500 for 'obituary preparation' - a service you can do yourself for free or hire a professional writer for $75-$150. Some also add per-word newspaper placement fees with hidden markups.
Obituary Writing Services Costs by City
Click any city to see detailed pricing, provider info, and your consumer rights.
| City | State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | NY | $181 | $227 | $295 |
| Los Angeles | CA | $188 | $236 | $306 |
| Chicago | IL | $132 | $166 | $215 |
| Houston | TX | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| Phoenix | AZ | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| Philadelphia | PA | $181 | $227 | $295 |
| San Antonio | TX | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| San Diego | CA | $188 | $236 | $306 |
| Dallas | TX | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| San Jose | CA | $188 | $236 | $306 |
| Austin | TX | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| Jacksonville | FL | $125 | $157 | $204 |
| Fort Worth | TX | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| Columbus | OH | $132 | $166 | $215 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $132 | $166 | $215 |
| Indianapolis | IN | $132 | $166 | $215 |
| Charlotte | NC | $125 | $157 | $204 |
| San Francisco | CA | $188 | $236 | $306 |
| Seattle | WA | $188 | $236 | $306 |
| Denver | CO | $168 | $210 | $273 |
| Washington | DC | $181 | $227 | $295 |
| Nashville | TN | $125 | $157 | $204 |
| Oklahoma City | OK | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| El Paso | TX | $140 | $175 | $227 |
| Boston | MA | $181 | $227 | $295 |
What's Typically Included
- Obituary drafting or template
- Guidance on what to include
- Local newspaper submission info
- Online memorial options
What's Usually NOT Included
- Newspaper publication fees (varies by outlet)
- Death certificate copies
- Memorial website hosting (optional)
Frequently Asked Questions: Obituary Writing Services
Professional obituary writing in your city ranges from $$154 to $$250. Funeral home obituary services typically charge $200-$500. Independent writers charge $75-$150. You can also write one yourself using free templates.
Contact your local your city newspaper's obituary department directly. Most accept submissions online, by email, or by fax. Expect to pay per-line or per-word rates. Prices vary but typically range from $100-$500 for a standard obituary.
Essential elements: full name (including maiden name), date of birth and death, city of residence, surviving family members, funeral/memorial service details. Optional but recommended: career highlights, hobbies, organizations, charitable donation suggestions.
Most obituaries are 200-400 words. Newspapers charge by length, so a concise obituary saves money. Online memorials have no length limit and are often free.
Absolutely. Most obituaries are written by family members. Use our free template to guide you. There's no requirement to use the funeral home's writing service.
Obituary Writing Services by State
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