An obituary in a widely read newspaper is a touching final tribute to a departed loved one. Major papers’ obituary pages generally focus on the deaths of the famous, but they also run obits for those who are not widely known — if the deceased is somehow noteworthy.
Among the major papers most likely to run obits of those not famous…
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (wwww.ajc.com/news/atlanta-obituaries-2500.html)
Chicago Tribune (www.ChicagoTribune.com/news/obituaries)
Cleveland Plain Dealer (www.Cleveland.com/obituaries)
Philadelphia Inquirer (www.Philly.com/inquirer/obituaries)
The Oregonian (http://Blog.OregonLive.com/lifestories/index.html)
Washington Post (www.WashingtonPost.com, search “Obituaries”)
Note: The New York Times’s obituary section tends to focus on the deaths of prominent or famous people, which leaves less room for the obituaries of those who are merely notable — but even The New York Times features some of these.
To significantly improve your odds of placing a prominent obituary…
Consider what a newspaper reporter might find interesting and distinctive about your loved one’s life. “Beloved Parent” is not distinctive — but “Raised 18 Children” is… “War Veteran” is not distinctive — but “Won the Distinguished Service Cross” is… “Longtime Local Resident” is not distinctive — but “Lived in the Region for 102 Years” is.
Do not wait until your loved one dies to think this through. You will have too much on your mind that day to give this your full attention, and it cannot be delayed — if an obituary doesn’t run within a day or two after the death, it may not run at all.
Questions to consider…
Did this relative ever hold a position of professional prominence? This might be president or CEO of an area company… attorney in a well-publicized court case… principal of a local school… or coach of a local athletic team of note.
Was this relative a community leader? Did he/she ever run a local civic or charitable group… or initiate or coordinate an annual community event?
Was your loved one ever the focus of a newspaper article during his/her life? If newspapers considered your loved one worth writing about then, they might consider the death noteworthy now. Example: The New York Times ran an obituary of Mel Cuba in January 2010. Cuba’s claim to fame was that he helped rescue four children from drowning in 1933, a story that ran in New York papers at the time.
Is there a compelling story? Newspapers love a good story. Example: If your loved one was an inventor with 200 patents, he/she might make a good story, even if none of the patents ever became a profitable product.
Compose an e-mail to obituary writers prior to your loved one’s death. For now, save this message in the “Drafts” file of your e-mail program or as a document on your computer. If you would like to increase the chances that your own obituary will make the papers, you can compose the e-mail about yourself. If you’re writing your own e-mail, send a copy to a relative, explaining why you’re sending it and what needs to be done when you die.
In the subject line of this e-mail, write “Possible Obit,” followed by the person’s name and a brief summary of what is most newsworthy.
Examples: “Possible Obit — John Doe, Coached Washington High to 1967 State Championship”… or “Possible Obit — Jane Jones, Founded Statewide Plant-a-Tree Program.”
In the body of this e-mail…
Summarize the most notable accomplishments. Mention only things that make this person distinctive and interesting. Including uninteresting details reduces the odds that a busy reporter will read the message.
Explain any connection to the newspaper’s region. Example: “He lived in Chicago from 1952 to 1977.”
If articles about this person ran in newspapers, cite the publications, dates and pages on which they appeared. Better yet, scan copies of the articles into your computer and attach the scans to your e-mail (with date and name of publication).
Include photos. Send head shots as well as appropriate photos, such as one showing the deceased building a model ship, packing meals at a hunger center, shaking hands with someone famous. Contact the newspaper for the best e-mail address for sending photos. Be sure to let the obit writer and/or editor know where the photos have been sent.
List phone numbers and cell-phone numbers of yourself and other family members. Reporters might need to reach a relative fast for additional details.
When your loved one passes away, add the date of death to this e-mail and send it to newspapers large and small in every region where the deceased had any connection.
Some newspapers have specific directions on their Web sites for submitting obituary candidates. If not, send your e-mail to every obituary writer at the newspaper. Click on each of the obituaries on the newspaper’s Web site to find these writers’ names and e-mail addresses. If you send your e-mail to just one obituary writer at a newspaper, that person might be out that day or busy with other assignments.
