Placing an obituary: steps 3, 4, 5

Step 3: Key things to know when placing an obituary

• Deadlines. If you're planning to use the obituary to invite people to a memorial or burial service, ask about obituary deadlines.
• Pricing. Most newspapers and websites charge by length. Ask about pricing, so you'll have a sense of how much it will cost to place your obituary. You can usually pay online, over the phone, or with a check.
• Editing. Ask if the obituary will be edited for spelling and grammar. This is usually a standard service, but just in case it's not, you may want to ask if they'll help with this.
• Double-checking. Ask to see an edited version of the obituary before it runs, so you can double-check the information.
• Duration. Ask how long the obituary will run for the basic fee, or how long it will remain online. You may prefer to pay for it to run longer.

Step 4: Extras to ask about

• Special services. Many newspapers and websites offer enhanced obituary services for an extra charge, such as adding photographs, personal messages or poems, fancy graphics, or online guest books where the public can leave memorial comments.
• Linking to private obituary websites. Some newspapers link their obituaries to specialized obituary websites (separate businesses) for a fee. Check out such websites before signing on, to make sure they're something you like and want. The newspaper will provide you with the links.

Step 5: Making the obituary a keepsake

• Preservation. Obituaries can be wonderful, lasting tributes to a loved one, and many people like to save them to share for generations. Newspaper yellows and dries with age, but with a little care it can endure time amazingly well. To help preserve newspaper obituaries, keep clippings in a dark, dry place, such as a file drawer, cardboard box, or even inside a heavy book. Place them in a plastic folder or good-quality ziplock bag first. Even better, place the clipping between sheets of acid-free paper or art board. As the clippings get older, handle them carefully.
• Future availability. Online obituaries can last forever. Ask newspapers and websites how they archive their obituaries and how long they'll be available to you and the public. To play it safe, print out or download online copies into your own computer file so you can share with others whenever you wish.