Friday, November 20, 2009 East Central Illinois

About obituaries in The News-Gazette

The News-Gazette offers families the opportunity to memorialize their loved ones in their own words through personalized obituaries.

In a personalized obituary, you can share thoughts about your loved one by writing about the personality, the relationships, the the interests and the associations that distinguished his or her life.

Paid and free obituaries

There is a charge of about $10 a column inch for personalized obituaries. Photos are an additional $10. We also have an option of a basic obituary with limited information at no charge. We will publish a free death notice when complete funeral services have not been arranged.

How we handle obituaries

We will only accept obituaries from funeral homes, cremation societies or comparable entities that are in charge of arrangements. We do not accept obituary information directly from family members except when no funeral professionals are involved. In such circumstances, we must confirm the death through an independent source such a coroner, police or a minister.

More information

The booklet Honoring Your Loved One In Print, which is posted on this Web site in PDF format, explains our policies in detail. The booklet also contains a checklist and suggestions for writing personalized obituaries. Your funeral director also may be able to offer you advice.

Out-of-town funeral homes

Funeral homes outside of The News-Gazette's circulation area should call 217-351-5211 Monday-Thursday before 3:30 p.m. One of our newsroom employees will assist you. On Fridays and Saturdays, please call between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.