FAQs
Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one. Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.
Why is there no cause of death in obituary? ›
Why don't obituaries usually list the cause of death? Cause of death is often concidered a privacy matter. This is especially true if the deceased was responsible for their own death.
Why do I read obituaries? ›
When we hear them, researchers say, our brains synthesize the hormone oxytocin, triggering an empathetic response. Reading obits can make you feel the fear and pride of an immigrant who started over in a new country, the awe of a mountain climber, the pain of an addict, the patience of a schoolteacher.
Are obituaries always published online? ›
Obituaries and death notices can be published by alumni organizations, religious or community institutions, and professional organizations, or online.
What does it mean when someone doesn't have an obituary? ›
Additionally, some families may prefer to keep the details of their loved one's passing private and not share them with the public. Another reason a family might choose not to write an obituary is that it can be expensive.
Is it weird to not have an obituary? ›
Reasons a Family Might Not Want to Write an Obituary
Some may feel that it is too personal or private to share with the public, while others may not have the financial means to pay for its publication. Additionally, some families may prefer to grieve privately and not draw attention to the death.
What information should you never include in an obituary? ›
A Fitting—and Safe—Tribute
Protect your loved one's identity even after they pass by avoiding using too many specific details in their obituary. Consider only using the first names of relatives, for instance. Or mention their military service but not their regiment number or other details.
Is it morbid to read obituaries? ›
Reading an obituary is not so much an act of mourning a death but of reviewing a life of notable accomplishment and celebrating it. Obituaries are capsule biographies. Still, obituaries concern death.
Why do newspapers charge so much for obituaries? ›
The cost of a newspaper obituary depends on the size of the newspaper's circulation, whether there's a photo, the number of days it will run, and the size of the obituary. Small towns may charge $50, but on average expect to pay at least $250 for the typical short obituary.
Does someone read the obituary at a funeral? ›
An obituary is written to tell the story of your loved one. These will often be in the funeral program. There will even be a part of the funeral where the obituary will be silently read by everyone in attendance at the funeral. It is something you and your family should be patient with when you are writing it.
Social Media: Each platform has procedures for memorializing accounts (removing them or restricting access). People Search Sites & Data Brokers: Look for opt-out forms or contact information on their websites. News Sites & Obituaries: Reach out to the websites or publications directly to request the content's removal.
How do the times decide who gets an obituary? ›
Every day, editors on The New York Times Obituaries team scan news reports and dig through emails from readers to learn who died recently; they then decide whether to assign a reporter to write about one of those lives. The process can be challenging.
Who typically writes an obituary? ›
Who writes the obituary? While there are no rules when it comes to who writes the obituary, they're typically written by family members or close friends. When a loved one passes, the family usually decides who will write it based on their relationship to the deceased or writing ability.
Do you have to publish an obituary in PA? ›
1 attorney answer
To my knowledge there is no requirement that a notice of death be published.