FAQs
Placing an obituary in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette starts at $75.90.
How do I find an obituary for a specific person in MA? ›
Obituaries in Massachusetts and other parts of New England can generally be found in the local town or county papers. Many obituaries for Boston and the surrounding area can be found in: Boston Athenaeum. Index of Obituaries in Boston Newspapers, 1704-1800.
Why are some obituaries not published? ›
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.
Do obituaries list cause of death? ›
It is preferable, when applicable, to include the age at death and a personal comment such as “surrounded by family” or “comforted by his wife.” NB: Sometimes it is desirable to omit the cause of death – such as when death came as a result of extreme violence, or the carrying out of a court sentence.
Why do newspapers charge so much for obituaries? ›
Why does it cost so much to post an obituary? Publishing an obituary in the newspaper is expensive because of the limited space papers have. Newspapers value every inch of each page, so they must charge to use that limited space for an obituary.
How much does it cost to put an obituary in the local newspaper? ›
Those rates vary greatly depending on the newspaper you choose to publish it in, how many days you want it to run, the length of the obituary, and whether you're including a photo. An average obituary costs anywhere from under $100 to $800 or more.
How do I find out if someone has died in Massachusetts? ›
Massachusetts State Law: "Chapter 46: Return and Registry of Births, Marriages, and Deaths" states death records are public records. "Death certificates are public record, so any member of the public can obtain a copy at the city or town clerk's office where the death occurred."
How do I find local obituaries? ›
Many funeral homes publish obituaries on their websites. These can usually be located with a Google search on the person's name. Local genealogical and historical societies, public libraries, and some newspaper publishers maintain clipping files of obituaries.
Who normally reads the obituary at a funeral? ›
This reading may be performed by a family member, a close friend, or a designated individual. The purpose of the obituary reading is to share important details about the deceased person's life, allowing everyone present to reflect on their accomplishments, relationships, and contributions.
What should you not include in an obituary? ›
In most cases, obituaries do not include the names or nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws unless they were close to the deceased. Grandchildren are sometimes listed but often numbered instead (…he leaves behind 5 grandchildren).
Posting an obituary is not a legal requirement and is a sentimental action. Families don't have to publish one if they don't want it or do not have the funds to do so. While you do not have to share a death note or obituary, you must file a death certificate with your state's office.
What does it mean when a name is in parentheses in an obituary? ›
If you like to be technical, names should be listed as follows: first name, spouse's first name in parenthesis, then surname (ex: Tom (Sarah) Johnson). If the spouse or partner's surname is different, include their surname in the parenthesis along with their first name (ex: Tom (Sarah Williams) Johnson).
Do people steal identities from obituaries? ›
Write the Obituary with Care – Identity thieves can use details from obituaries to piece together the necessary information to steal a deceased person's identity.
What are two types of obituaries? ›
There are two types of obituary advertisem*nts: Death notices and memorial advertisem*nts. The cost is commonly included in funeral packages but can also be paid for personally. Additionally, some funeral providers, like Eirene, offer complimentary online memorials on their website.
How much does a nyt obituary cost? ›
Placing an obituary in The New York Times starts at $263.00.
Is the obituary read at 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.
How much does it cost to put an obituary in the New Haven Register? ›
Placing an obituary in the New Haven Register starts at $144.00.