Obituary Guidelines

The Western News publishes obituaries as a free service. Free obituaries are shaped by the editor to conform to the newspaper’s editorial style. Photos are published with obituaries in a black-and-white, half-column format.

The following format is used by The Western News:

• Name, age, town of residence, died on date, cause of death. He/she was born on date in town, the son/daughter of father’s name and mother’s name, including maiden name in parenthesis.

• A paragraph about where the person went to school and what they did for an occupation, where they lived, who and when they married.

• A paragraph about what made the person special to family and friends, including hobbies, avocations or other details about their life can be included.

• He/She is survived by spouse's name; children named individually (and their spouses and towns of residence, if appropriate); siblings named individually; number of grandchildren, parents or other immediate family members.

• He/She was preceded in death by names of immediate family members.

• A memorial service will be held (fill in details of date, time, and place, plus officiate, if applicable) with interment at (place). Memorial contributions may be made to (name and complete address, if applicable).

Obituaries that are submitted by private individuals must include contact information and the name of the funeral home that handled arrangements.

For those who would like to request a paid obituary that is not subject to guidelines, call The Western News at 293-4124 or e-mail: classads@thewesternnews.com .