Death Notice (Parte) — How to Write One, Templates, and Practical Advice

Introduction

We understand that you are going through one of the most difficult moments of your life. The loss of a loved one brings not only deep sorrow but also a host of practical matters that must be resolved — and one of the first is writing a death notice, known in Czech as a "parte". It is entirely natural that at such a time you are searching for the right words with which to honour the memory of the deceased with dignity and inform others about the final farewell.

A parte is the traditional way in which the bereaved communicate the news of a death to their family, friends, and acquaintances. Even in today's digital age, it retains its special significance — it is an expression of respect and at the same time a practical source of information about when and where the funeral ceremony will take place. In this article, we shall offer you a clear overview of what a parte contains, how to write one correctly, and where to have it printed or sent electronically.

Here you will find specific parte templates for various situations — whether it is a traditional parte with a religious ceremony, a modern parte for a civil funeral, or a parte for cases where no ceremony takes place. We have also prepared a selection of suitable verses and quotations that you may include in the parte. Alongside the traditional printed parte, an increasing number of families are also choosing to create digital pages of remembrance, which allow condolences and memories to be shared in one place.

This article is intended for all who need to write a parte themselves or who wish to understand its requirements before instructing a funeral service to prepare one.

What Is a Parte and What Purpose Does It Serve

A parte (death notice, smuteční oznámení) is a formal announcement of a person's death and of the funeral ceremony, sent by the bereaved to the family, friends, colleagues, and other close associates of the deceased. It serves a dual purpose: it provides practical details about the final farewell and at the same time represents an expression of respect for the memory of the deceased.

The tradition of sending a parte has deep roots in the Czech lands, dating back to the 19th century, when parte were printed on black-bordered paper and delivered by post. This custom endures to this day, although its form is gradually evolving.

Printed vs. electronic parte

In current Czech practice, you will encounter two basic forms of parte:

Printed parte remains the standard for the older generation and formal announcements. It is typically printed on quality paper, often with a black border, and delivered by post or in person.

Electronic parte is becoming an increasingly common option. It is sent by email, via apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger, or published on social media. Many funeral services today offer the option of creating a parte in digital format that can be easily shared.

Both forms are entirely legitimate, and the choice is purely yours. Many families today combine both — a printed parte for the closest family and an electronic one for a wider circle of acquaintances.

When to send a parte

A parte should ideally be sent 3 to 5 days before the funeral, so that recipients have sufficient time to prepare and attend. In the case of a sudden death, where the interval between the death and the funeral is short, it is appropriate to send the parte as soon as possible — even just one day beforehand is better than not at all.

If no funeral ceremony is taking place (for example, in the case of an anonymous cremation), the parte is generally sent within 14 days of the death as notification of the passing.

Structure of a Parte — What It Must Contain

A properly composed parte has an established structure comprising four basic parts: an opening motto or verse (optional), personal details of the deceased, information about the funeral ceremony, and the signature of the bereaved. By following this structure, you will ensure the parte is dignified and contains all the necessary information.

Required elements

Every parte should contain the following details:

1. Full name of the deceased — including maiden name (for women), academic titles, and any honorary titles
2. Date of birth and date of death — in the format "15 March 2026" or "*15. 3. 1945 — +12. 3. 2026"
3. Funeral details — date, time, and venue of the ceremony (name of the ceremonial hall, church, cemetery)
4. Signature of the bereaved — typically "husband/wife and children", "the family", or specific names

Optional but common elements

• Motto, verse, or quotation — placed at the beginning or end of the parte
• Photograph of the deceased — increasingly common, especially for printed parte
• Information about cremation vs. earth burial — if relevant
• Request regarding flowers or a financial collection — "In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for a donation to..."
• Symbol — cross (†), candle, dove, or another symbol according to faith
• Black border — a traditional graphic element of printed parte

Examples of wording

Established phrases are used for the individual sections of a parte:

A detailed overview of the entire funeral process can be found in the article How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic.

Parte Templates — Text Examples for Various Situations

Specific parte templates will help you find the right words at a difficult time. Below we provide examples for the most common situations — a traditional parte with a religious ceremony, a modern parte for a civil funeral, and a parte when no ceremony takes place. Each template can be adapted to suit your needs.

Traditional parte template (with religious ceremony)

†

"He who lives in the hearts of those he loved never truly dies."

It is with deep sorrow that we announce that on 10 March 2026 our beloved husband, father, and grandfather

Jan Novák 15. 3. 1945 — 10. 3. 2026

left us forever.

The final farewell will take place on Thursday 15 March 2026 at 14:00 at the Church of St Wenceslas (kostel sv. Václava) in Prague 2.

Lovingly remembered by his wife Marie, children Petr and Jana with their families.

Modern parte template (civil funeral)

"He departed quietly, but the memories will remain forever."

It is with heavy hearts that we share that on 8 March 2026 our dear

Mgr. Eva Svobodová born 22. 6. 1960 in Brno

passed away.

The farewell will take place on Tuesday 13 March 2026 at 10:00 in the ceremonial hall of the Brno crematorium.

Remembered by her husband, daughters, and the entire family.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask for a donation to the Cancer Research Foundation (Nadace proti rakovině).

Parte without a ceremony (anonymous cremation)

It is with deep sadness that we announce that on 5 March 2026 our dear

Karel Dvořák 3. 11. 1938 — 5. 3. 2026

passed away.

The farewell took place within the closest family circle.

May his memory be honoured.

The bereaved family.

Parte with urn interment details

"She suffers no more; she is at rest."

We announce that on 2 March 2026

Marie Veselá 12. 8. 1950 — 2. 3. 2026

left us.

The cremation took place in private. The urn will be interred at the cemetery in Olomouc on 20 March 2026 at 11:00.

Respectfully remembered by the entire family.

Did you know? On Kinmory, you can create a digital page of remembrance, and share the link in place of a traditional parte. Friends and family can then share condolences, photographs, and memories in one place. Learn more on Kinmory

Verses and Quotations for a Parte

A well-chosen verse or quotation lends a personal dimension to the parte and can express what the bereaved themselves struggle to put into words. The verse is most commonly placed at the beginning of the parte (before the deceased's name) or at the end. The choice depends on your relationship to the deceased and on their personality.

Universal verses (suitable for all types of funeral)

• "He who lives in the hearts of those he loved never truly dies."
• "He/She departed quietly, but will be in our hearts forever."
• "Life ends, love never does."
• "Memories are the bridge that connects us even after departure."
• "He/She has not left forever — they live on within us."

Verses with a spiritual undertone

• "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away — blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21)
• "I am the resurrection, and the life." (John 11:25)
• "Grant him/her eternal rest, O Lord."
• "In my Father's house are many mansions." (John 14:2)

Verses for a parte without religious affiliation

• "A person lives as long as they are remembered."
• "They suffer no more; they are at rest."
• "Every departure is also an encounter — in our memories."
• "Death is not the end — it is merely a journey elsewhere."

When selecting a verse, consider whether it reflects the personality and beliefs of the deceased. If you are unsure, universal verses about memory and love are always an appropriate choice. More about funeral traditions and customs can be found in the article Funeral Traditions in the Czech Republic.

Where and How to Create a Parte

You can have the parte prepared by a funeral service as part of the funeral arrangements, create it yourself using online tools, or write it entirely by hand. Each option has its advantages, and the choice depends on your preferences, available time, and budget.

Parte from a funeral service

Most funeral services in the Czech Republic offer the preparation of a parte as part of their services. This is generally the simplest route — the funeral service has ready-made templates, arranges the printing, and handles distribution.

What to expect:

• A choice of several graphic templates
• Assistance with the wording
• Printing in the required quantity
• Possible distribution by post

Indicative printing cost for a parte: 500 to 2,000 Kč, depending on the number of copies, paper quality, and graphic design. A basic set (20–30 copies) costs approximately 800 Kč. Prices are indicative and valid as of March 2026.

Online parte generators

If you wish to create the parte yourself in digital form, several online tools are available:

Online generators allow you to enter the details into a prepared template and generate the parte for printing or electronic sending.

Creating a parte yourself

If you wish to create the parte entirely yourself, you can use a standard word processor (Word, Google Docs) or a graphic tool (Canva). Recommended steps:

1. Choose a format — A5 or A4, portrait orientation
2. Add a black border — a traditional element that visually distinguishes the parte
3. Select a font — restrained, easily readable (Times New Roman, Garamond)
4. Follow the structure — motto, details, funeral information, signature
5. Proofread — typographical errors in dates and names can be painful

Electronic parte — how to send it

When sending an electronic parte, observe basic etiquette:

• Email: Send as an attachment (PDF), not as text in the body of the message. Subject line: "Death Notice — [name of the deceased]"
• Messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger): Attach the parte as an image or PDF. Include a short personal message.
• Social media: Suitable for a wider circle of acquaintances, but does not replace a personal notification to the closest contacts.

Alongside an electronic parte, an increasing number of families are creating digital pages of remembrance where friends and family can share condolences and memories even after the funeral. Have you received a parte and wish to express your condolences? Read How to Write a Condolence Letter — Templates and Etiquette.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to print a parte?

The cost of printing a parte ranges from approximately 500 to 2,000 Kč. A basic set of 20 to 30 copies on standard paper costs 500 to 800 Kč. A more luxurious version on quality paper with a photograph and distinctive graphics may cost 1,000 to 2,000 Kč. Most funeral services include the preparation of the parte in the overall price of their services, so it is worth asking when arranging the funeral.

Must I send a parte to all the deceased's acquaintances?

There is no obligation to send a parte to all the deceased's acquaintances. A parte is traditionally sent to the closest family, close friends, and colleagues — that is, to people you know would wish to attend the farewell or should be informed of the death. A wider circle of acquaintances can be informed by telephone, email, or through social media. What matters is that the news reaches those who would be hurt if they learned of the death by chance.

Can a parte be sent electronically?

Yes, an electronic parte is an entirely acceptable form today. You may send it by email as a PDF attachment, via messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger, or publish it on social media. The electronic form is faster and less expensive than the printed version. We recommend combining both options — a printed parte for older relatives and close friends, an electronic one for a wider circle of acquaintances.

When should a parte be sent?

A parte should be sent 3 to 5 days before the funeral, so that recipients have sufficient time to prepare. In the case of sudden deaths, where there is no time reserve, it is appropriate to send the parte as soon as possible — even shortly before the funeral. If no ceremony is being held, the parte is generally sent within two weeks of the death as notification of the passing.

Summary

• A parte (death notice, smuteční oznámení) is the traditional way of informing loved ones about a death and a funeral — it serves both a practical and a commemorative function.
• Basic structure: motto/verse (optional), details of the deceased (name, dates), funeral information (date, venue, time), signature of the bereaved.
• Send the parte 3 to 5 days before the funeral, so that recipients have time to prepare.
• Printed and electronic parte are equivalent options today — many families combine both.
• Printing cost: approximately 500 to 2,000 Kč; funeral services often include the parte in their overall services.
• Parte templates for various situations can be found above — adapt them to suit your needs.
• Choose a verse with regard to the personality and beliefs of the deceased.
• More about funeral organisation and the digital preservation of memories can be found in the article on Digital Memorials.

Related Articles

• How to Arrange a Funeral in the Czech Republic — a complete step-by-step guide
• Funeral Traditions in the Czech Republic — an overview of Czech funeral customs and ceremonies
• Digital Memorial — Preserve the Memory — a modern way to preserve the memory of a loved one