How to Write an Obituary and a Klepsydra — Templates, Examples and Tips 2026

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Obituary vs. klepsydra — what is the difference
• How to write an obituary — structure and tips
• How to write a klepsydra — format and template
• Where to publish an obituary and klepsydra
• Frequently asked questions
• Summary
• Related articles

Introduction

We understand that you are going through one of the most difficult moments in your life. Amid the chaos of formalities and organisational tasks that accompany the loss of a loved one, there also comes the need to write an obituary or a klepsydra (klepsydra) — a text that will inform others about the passing and allow them to say goodbye to someone they knew and valued.

If you have never written an obituary before, it is completely natural to feel unsure of where to begin. How do you write an obituary that does justice to the deceased? What is the difference between an obituary and a klepsydra? Which information should be included, and what is best left out? This article answers these questions step by step — with ready-to-use templates, examples and practical guidance.

In Polish funeral tradition, the obituary (nekrolog) and the klepsydra serve different purposes. An obituary is a commemorative text that tells the story of the deceased's life. A klepsydra is a short, formal announcement of death and the time and place of the funeral. Both are important, though neither is compulsory — their preparation is entirely at the family's discretion.

This article is intended for anyone who faces the task of writing an obituary: family members, friends, colleagues and institutional representatives. In addition to traditional forms of commemoration, it is worth considering creating a digital memorial on Kinmory — a memory page with photos and a biography where loved ones can add their own memories from anywhere in the world.

If you are just beginning to organise a funeral and need a comprehensive guide to all the steps involved, we encourage you to read Organising a funeral step by step.

Obituary vs. klepsydra — what is the difference

An obituary (nekrolog) and a klepsydra are two distinct documents with different purposes: an obituary tells the story of the deceased's life and is published in the press or online, while a klepsydra is a short death and funeral announcement, displayed in printed form or shared digitally. Many people confuse the two, so it is worth drawing a clear distinction.

A brief history of both forms

The word "nekrolog" (obituary) comes from the Greek nekros (deceased) and logos (word) — literally "a word about the deceased." The tradition of publishing obituaries in the press dates back to the 18th century and remains alive today, although it is increasingly moving online.

The klepsydra in the funeral context is a distinctly Polish tradition. Its name alludes to the hourglass (klepsydra) as a symbol of the passage of time. Traditionally, a klepsydra was printed as a black-and-white poster with a border, a cross (in the Catholic tradition) and basic information about the deceased. It was displayed on stairwell notice boards, in churches, on public bulletin boards and at the deceased's workplace.

Today, both forms increasingly exist in the digital world — obituaries appear on websites and social media, while klepsydras are shared as images via messaging apps (Messenger, WhatsApp) or published on funeral home websites.

How to write an obituary — structure and tips

A good obituary consists of five elements: a death announcement, a brief biography, recollections of the person's character and achievements, information about surviving family members, and details of the funeral ceremony. You do not need to be a writer — sincerity and respect for the person you are commemorating are all that is required.

Five elements of an obituary

1. Death announcement — the first piece of information the reader should receive:

• Full name of the deceased (first name, surname, maiden name if applicable)
• Date of death (and optionally date of birth or age)
• Place of residence
• Circumstances (optional): "after a long illness", "suddenly", "surrounded by family"

2. Brief biography — the key facts of their life:

• Place of birth, education
• Career, main occupations
• Passions and interests

3. Recollections and personal qualities — what makes the obituary personal:

• What they were valued and loved for
• A characteristic trait, hobby or favourite saying
• A short anecdote or memory (optional)

4. Information about surviving family — those who remain in mourning:

• Spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings
• Formula: "He leaves behind his wife [name], children [names], grandchildren..."

5. Funeral details — practical information:

• Date, time and place of the ceremony
• Type of funeral (church service, secular ceremony)
• Special requests (e.g. "in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to...")

Obituary template — from the family

With deep sorrow, we announce that on [date], our beloved [husband / father / grandfather] — [First Name Surname] (born [date of birth]) — passed away.

[First name] was born in [place]. He/she completed [school/university] and worked for many years as a [profession] at [workplace]. He/she was a person of [personal qualities] — always ready to [characteristic behaviour or value]. He/she loved [passions, interests].

He/she leaves behind, in deep sorrow, his/her wife [name], children [names] and their families, grandchildren [names], and a large circle of friends and colleagues.

The funeral Mass will be held on [date] at [time] at [church name, address]. Burial at [cemetery name, address].

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to [cause].

May his/her memory live on.

Obituary template — from an institution or employer

The management and staff of [institution name] announce with deep sorrow the death of [position] [First Name Surname], which occurred on [date].

[First Name Surname] worked at our institution since [year]. He/she was a valued [position], distinguished by [professional qualities]. For his/her work, he/she was honoured with [awards, distinctions].

We express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones.

The funeral ceremony will take place on [date] at [time] at [venue].

Short obituary template — for social media

Today we said farewell to [First Name Surname] ([year]-[year]).

[First name] was [who they were, what they did, what kind of person they were — 1-2 sentences]. He/she will be remembered as [most important trait or memory].

Ceremony: [date, time, venue].

Memories and words of farewell may be left in the comments. The family will be grateful for every kind word.

Tips for writing

• Talk to the family — agree on which information should be public and which should not
• Check the facts — names, dates, institution names — a mistake in an obituary can cause real pain
• Match the tone to the person — if the deceased was warm and open, the obituary can be personal; if they valued restraint, a more formal tone is better
• Read it aloud — this is the best way to catch awkward phrasing
• Do not rush — if possible, set the text aside for a few hours and come back to it with fresh eyes

How to write a klepsydra — format and template

A klepsydra is a short, formalised death announcement that provides information about the deceased as well as the date and place of the funeral. Unlike an obituary, a klepsydra has a fixed, traditional format and is usually prepared by the funeral home (zaklad pogrzebowy).

Elements of a klepsydra

A traditional Polish klepsydra contains:

1. Religious or neutral symbol — a cross (Catholic funeral), Star of David, secular symbol or no symbol
2. Announcement formula — a formal phrasing such as "With deep sorrow, we announce..."
3. Full name — in formal form, often in bold
4. Date of birth and death — or age at the time of death
5. Ceremony details — date, time and place of the service and burial
6. Signature — "The grief-stricken family" or the names of specific family members

Klepsydra template — Catholic funeral

A cross symbol

With deep sorrow, we announce that on [date], our beloved

[First Name Surname] born [date of birth]

passed away.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on [date] at [time] at [church name, address]

Burial at [cemetery name, address] at [time]

The grief-stricken family

Klepsydra template — secular funeral

With deep sorrow, we announce that on [date], our beloved

[First Name Surname] ([year of birth]-[year of death])

passed away.

The farewell ceremony will take place on [date] at [time] at [venue — funeral home / cemetery chapel]

Burial at [cemetery name, address]

The grief-stricken family and friends

Practical matters regarding klepsydras

• Who prepares the klepsydra? — Most commonly the funeral home (zaklad pogrzebowy), which has templates and printing facilities. The cost of preparing and printing 20-50 copies of a klepsydra is usually 80-200 PLN.
• Where is it displayed? — Traditionally in the church, on stairwell notice boards in the deceased's block of flats, at their workplace and on public bulletin boards. Today, also digitally — as an image shared via messaging apps and social media.
• When should it be prepared? — As soon as possible after the funeral date has been confirmed, so that people have time to plan their attendance at the ceremony.

Did you know? In addition to a traditional obituary and klepsydra, more and more families in Poland are creating digital memorials — permanent memory pages with a biography, photo gallery and condolence book where anyone can leave a memory. On the Kinmory platform, you can create such a page and add a QR code to the gravestone that leads to the memorial.

Where to publish an obituary and klepsydra

The choice of publication venue depends on who you wish to reach — the local community, a wide circle of acquaintances, or close family. Each channel has its advantages, and the most effective approach is usually a combination of several.

Local and national press

Publishing an obituary in a newspaper is the traditional approach, still popular among the older generation:

• Local newspapers — regional editions of major dailies, such as "Gazeta Wyborcza" (regional editions), "Dziennik Lodzki," "Glos Wielkopolski" and other regional titles. Cost from 100 to 500 PLN.
• National dailies — "Gazeta Wyborcza," "Rzeczpospolita." More expensive (1,000-3,000 PLN) but reaching a broader audience.
• The text should be submitted at least 1-2 days in advance. The editorial team can assist with formatting.

Social media

The fastest and most cost-effective way to reach a large circle of people:

• Facebook — Ideal for a longer obituary with a photograph. The post can be shared publicly or restricted to friends.
• Instagram — Shorter text with a portrait photograph. Works better for younger audiences.
• Local groups — If the deceased was active in the local community, it is worth considering publication in a relevant Facebook group.

When publishing on social media, it is helpful to add a note such as: "Memories and words of farewell may be left in the comments." Such posts often become a place where loved ones share warm recollections — which can bring comfort to the family during the mourning period.

Obituary portals

Several websites in Poland specialise in publishing obituaries and klepsydras. Some are free of charge, while others charge a small fee for extended features (photo gallery, condolence book). The advantage of such portals is their permanence — the text does not get lost in the flow of information the way a social media post does.

Digital memorial

An obituary and a klepsydra are by their nature temporary — they announce the death and the funeral. A digital memorial is a longer-term solution: a permanent memory page with a biography, photo gallery, videos and the ability for family and friends around the world to add their own memories. Unlike a social media post, a memorial does not disappear into the feed — it remains permanently accessible at a single address.

You can learn more about digital memorials and QR codes on gravestones in the article Digital memorial and QR code on the gravestone.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an obituary and a klepsydra?

An obituary (nekrolog) is a commemorative text describing the life and achievements of the deceased, published in the press or online after the funeral. A klepsydra is a short, formal death and funeral announcement, posted before the ceremony in churches, on stairwell notice boards or published in the press. An obituary tells the story of a person; a klepsydra informs about the funeral.

How much does it cost to publish an obituary in a Polish newspaper?

The cost of publishing an obituary in a local newspaper in Poland in 2026 ranges from 100 to 500 PLN for a short text (up to 150 words). In national dailies, the price can reach 1,000-3,000 PLN. A printed klepsydra (A4 format, 20-50 copies) costs 80-200 PLN at a funeral home. Online publication is usually free of charge.

Do you have to state the cause of death in an obituary?

No, stating the cause of death in an obituary is not mandatory and is entirely up to the family. You can use general phrases such as "after a long illness," "passed away suddenly," or omit this information altogether. The family has every right to decide which details are made public.

Summary

• An obituary and a klepsydra are two different documents — an obituary tells the story of the deceased's life, while a klepsydra announces the date and place of the funeral
• An obituary consists of five elements: death announcement, biography, qualities and achievements, surviving family, funeral details
• A klepsydra is shorter and more formal — it is usually prepared by the funeral home
• Neither an obituary nor a klepsydra is compulsory — the decision belongs to the family
• Stating the cause of death is not required — this is entirely the family's choice
• Online publication is free of charge — social media, obituary portals, digital memorials
• Newspaper publication costs from 100 to 3,000 PLN — depending on the newspaper's reach
• Agree on the content with the family before publishing — every family member should approve the text
• A digital memorial complements the obituary and klepsydra — a permanent memory page that does not disappear from the information feed

Related articles

• Organising a funeral step by step — a practical guide 2026
• How to write a condolence message — templates and examples
• Formalities after the death of a loved one — a complete list of documents
• Digital memorial and QR code on the gravestone
• Cost of a funeral in Poland in 2026 — a detailed guide

Preserve memories

An obituary and a klepsydra announce the passing of a loved one, but over time they disappear from newspapers and websites. Among the many decisions to make, it is worth considering a lasting tribute to your loved one. On Kinmory, you can create a memory page with photos and a life story.

Create a memory page on Kinmory

The information in this article is accurate as of 15 March 2026. The costs of publishing obituaries and printing klepsydras may vary depending on the region and publisher. We recommend verifying current prices directly with newspaper offices or your chosen funeral home.