Finding the words is hard. Let a caring writer help tell their story.
LastingWords is an independent information and referral service. We don’t write or publish obituaries and tributes ourselves — we gently connect your family with compassionate writers and services who help capture a life in words, with patience and care. There is no rush, no sales pitch, and no obligation.
Free to start, unhurried — take all the time you need
Compassionate writers and trusted tribute services — we gently connect you, we never write or publish it ourselves
One field on this page: your email. No pressure, no sales pitch
LastingWords is an independent referral service, not a writer, newspaper or publisher. We do not write or publish obituaries or tributes. A writer’s help and any publication fees vary by provider and location; nothing here is guaranteed.
You don’t have to find the words alone
Compassionate writers, unhurried
Compassionate & unhurried Skilled writers & services We connect · we don't publish You review before publishing Email only · at your pace
Start here
One email connects you with a caring tribute writer
No long forms, no pressure, no waiting on hold. You share an email address; we gently help connect you with a compassionate writer or tribute service near you — whenever you’re ready.
Compassionate
Skilled writers
You review first
Email only
No pressure
Free to startNo-cost, no-pressure introductions to compassionate tribute writers and services
At your paceNo rush and no sales pitch — decide only what feels right, when it feels right
50 statesCompassionate writers and tribute services for families across the U.S.
You decideNo obligation — you choose the writer, the words and what gets published, always
LastingWords is an independent information and referral service, not a writer, newspaper or publisher. Figures describe the service, not any promised result; availability of writers and services varies by location.
How it works
Four gentle steps, entirely at your pace
Here is exactly what happens after you reach out — no surprises, no pressure, and no one committing you to anything without your say-so.
Their story, beautifully told
Reach out
Share their story
We craft it
You review
Published
01Step one
Reach out, when you're ready
Share one email address and, when you feel ready, a little about who you'd like to honor. That's the whole ask on this page. No pressure, no forms, no details you don't want to share.
02Step two
Share their story
The writer or service we connect you with gently asks about your loved one — their life, their spirit, the moments that mattered. You share only what you'd like to, at your own pace.
03Step three
A caring writer crafts it
A compassionate writer shapes it into an obituary, tribute or keepsake that truly sounds like them. LastingWords doesn't write or publish anything itself — we make a gentle introduction.
04Step four
You review, then share it
Read every word and make it your own. Nothing is printed or posted until it feels right to you — then it's ready to share with everyone who loved them.
LastingWords is an independent information and referral service. We do not write or publish obituaries and tributes ourselves — we help connect you with compassionate writers and trusted tribute services. Any provider you choose is independently responsible for the work it provides. Fees and options vary, and nothing is guaranteed.
How we help
Every way to honor a life in words
Whatever you’d like to create, we aim to connect you with people who craft it with care. Descriptions below are general information — what’s offered and any fees come from the writer or service you choose.
Professionally written obituaries
The right words
A compassionate writer captures your loved one's life — their story, their spirit and the details that mattered — in an obituary that truly sounds like them.
Style and pricing vary by writer.
Newspaper & online death notices
Sharing the news
Help preparing and placing a death notice in local or national papers and online, so friends and community can learn the news and come to pay their respects.
Publication fees vary by outlet.
Memorial tribute videos
A life in pictures
A gentle montage of photographs, video and music that tells their story on screen — to share at a service or send to loved ones who can't be there.
Length and options vary by service.
Online memorial pages & websites
A lasting place
A dedicated page or website to hold their story, photos and service details, where family and friends can gather, remember and return whenever they wish.
Features and hosting vary by provider.
Eulogy writing help
Words to speak
Guidance or full writing help for the eulogy — so when it's time to stand and speak, you have something heartfelt and true, and one less thing to carry.
Help offered varies by writer.
Memorial cards, programs & bookmarks
Kept in hand
Beautifully designed order-of-service programs, prayer cards, bookmarks and keepsakes for guests to hold at the service and take home to remember.
Design and printing costs vary.
Photo restoration & memory books
Memories preserved
Careful restoration of cherished, fading photographs and help gathering them into a printed memory book the whole family can treasure for years.
Turnaround and pricing vary.
Online guest books & condolences
Shared remembrance
A gentle online guest book that gathers messages, memories and condolences from everyone who loved them, kept together in one comforting place.
Options vary by platform.
Translation & multilingual tributes
Every voice
Thoughtful translation of an obituary or tribute so every part of your family, in every language they hold, can read and share in their own words.
Languages offered vary by provider.
The services above are general information only. LastingWords does not write, produce, publish or price any of them itself — we connect you with compassionate writers and trusted tribute services. Offerings and fees vary by provider and location, and nothing is guaranteed. Ask any provider what’s included and about publication fees before you decide.
You’re not alone
When a caring writer helps most
There is no wrong time to ask for help. These are the moments families most often reach out for a gentle hand with the words.
You're struggling to find the words
Grief and a blank page are a hard pair. A compassionate writer can gently draw out the story and give you words that finally feel right.
You want an obituary that truly honors their life
You don't want a few dry lines — you want their warmth, their humor and their whole life to come through. A skilled writer can help it shine.
You want a lasting keepsake for the family
A tribute video, memory book or memorial page can hold their story for years — something to return to and share with children and grandchildren.
You need to share the news widely and gently
From newspaper notices to an online memorial page and guest book, we can connect you with help reaching everyone who loved them, with care.
Whoever you work with, take your time: confirm what the writer or service includes, ask about any newspaper or online publication fees, and read every word before it’s published. You can also look up a provider at the Better Business Bureau (BBB.org).
Why LastingWords
We connect you. We don’t write or publish it ourselves.
That is the whole model, and we say it plainly. LastingWords is an independent information and referral service — the compassionate writer or tribute service you choose creates the words and keepsakes, on terms you agree to directly with them.
We connect — we don't write or publish it ourselves
LastingWords is an independent information and referral service. The writing, production and publishing are done by the compassionate writer or service you choose, never by us.
Compassionate writers and trusted services
We help connect you with independent writers and tribute services. Each is separately responsible for the work and any publication it provides to your family.
You review every word before it's published
Nothing is printed or posted until you've read it and it feels right. A caring writer will revise gently until the tribute truly honors your loved one.
Honest and unhurried — no pressure
A writer's help and any publication fees vary by provider and location. We don't promise a price or push you toward anything — you decide, gently, in your own time.
Composite stories
What a caring tribute can feel like
Gentle, honest accounts of what the referral experience can be like.
I sat down to write my mom's obituary and just froze — everything felt too small for who she was. The writer LastingWords connected me with asked gentle questions and gave her back to us in words. I finally cried the good kind of tears.
MMaria L. Asheville, North Carolina
We wanted more than a paragraph in the paper. They helped us make a little memorial page and a tribute video with his old photos and his favorite song. Family who couldn't travel could watch and leave notes. It meant everything.
DDevon K. Dayton, Ohio
My grandmother's story spanned two countries and two languages. LastingWords found someone who could write her tribute beautifully in both, so every part of our family could read it in their own words. I'm so grateful.
PPriya S. Fremont, California
Composite, illustrative examples, not statements from identified families; individual experiences vary. Nothing here predicts or promises a result. A writer’s help and any publication fees vary by provider and location.
Before you decide
A little guidance before it’s published
A few gentle reminders that protect your family and your peace of mind. These are genuinely useful — and free — no matter who you choose.
How to choose a tribute writer or service with confidence
Whether you work with someone we connect you to or find on your own, keep these in mind:
Share their stories, dates and photos. The more you can share — anecdotes, names, dates and pictures — the more truly a writer can capture their life.
Confirm the writer or service, and any fees. Ask what’s included and about any newspaper or online publication fees before you commit — costs vary.
Review before it’s published — and take your time. Read every word and make it yours. There’s no rush; a caring writer will revise until it feels right.
Lean on the people you love. Sharing the writing and the memories can be a comfort. You can also look up a provider at the Better Business Bureau (BBB.org).
Gentle answers
Questions families often ask
No. LastingWords is an independent information and referral service. We don't write, produce, print or publish obituaries, tributes or keepsakes ourselves — we gently help connect you with compassionate writers and trusted tribute services. Any writer or service you choose is independently responsible for the work it provides to your family.
Whenever you’re ready
The right words, whenever you need them.
One email gently connects you with a compassionate writer or tribute service for unhurried help telling their story. There is no pressure and no obligation — only care, at your pace.
A compassionate referral service — we connect, we don’t write or publish it ourselves
You review every word before anything is published
