This study is the result of applying the content analysis method to identify how the contents and types and expressions of death notices in daily newspaper obituary advertisements have evolved over a period of 100 years from 1920 to 2022. The analysis target was 13,465 obituary ads, and depending on the characteristics of the newspaper, there were 10,637 obituary ads in conservative newspapers and 2,828 obituary ads in progressive newspapers. As a result of the study, it was found that there were differences in the volume (frequency), vertical length of ads, and horizontal length (cm) of obituary ads in conservative and progressive newspapers every 10 years since 1920. In addition, the demographics of the deceased, basic information of death notifications for the deceased, detailed information related to the deceased’s funeral, and the contents of obituary ads related to the funeral process of the deceased showed differences by 10 years. Lastly, the types and expressions of obituary ads related to the type of obituary ads, composition of the subject of the obituary, whether or not to indicate the obituary in the headline, and the expression of the death notice also showed differences by 10 years. According to the research results, obituary ads are a ‘wider window’ that reflects the reactions of the bereaved family and those related to the deceased, and a ‘large room mirror’ that reflects the social and cultural changes in funeral rituals following death. Based on the research results, a discussion was held on the value and implications of obituary ads.