FAQ’s

Post Free Obituaries, Online Obituaries, Death Notices, Obituary & Obits

Frequently Answers and Questions

For example it is not recommended to print home addresses in an obituary as they could be a tip to an empty home at time of service. Consider writing two obituaries one for public notice and a second for family or genealogical purposes.

Do we use or say the word “Die”?

It is more common to use other less matter of fact terms. For example “pass away”, “passed on”, “deceased” or “resting in peace”.

Sending Sympathy Flowers

When sending sympathy flowers try to use the same florist for all of the flower arrangements. This will help ensure that the florist has the correct information and they will more than likely waive delivery charges for additional flower orders.

Make the obituary full of life

Writing a summary of someone’s life is a great responsibility. Try to write the obituary to be compelling and interesting; focus more on the life that the person lived and less on writing a death notice. Most obituaries are a defining statement of someone’s life and are saved to be read time and again.

Proofread the obituary

Accuracy is the most important part of the obituary. Errors can inadvertently slip in; check for spelling of names, verify dates and ensure that information is not missed.

“In Lieu of Flowers”

Please don’t use the phrase “In Lieu of Flowers” when placing your free obituary online.

We understand that it is never easy to comfort a friend or relative who has lost a loved one. Many people desire to express their sympathy by showing respect for the deceased in various ways. Some of which include charitable donations, a helping hand, donations of food or sympathy flowers and cards sent to the family’s home or funeral service.

Beautiful sympathy flowers have been a part of funeral and memorial traditions in most cultures throughout history. Sympathy flowers are a visible sign of emotional support and are often used in honor of the deceased’s life. Sending sympathy flowers is an opportunity to provide comfort and warmth in the event you cannot physically be there.

In most instances, the phrase “in lieu of flowers” is used as a convenient, polite way to meet requests for memorial contributions and that many people just don’t understand how important flowers are too the bereavement process. Eliminating the “in lieu of” phrase when designating a charitable donation in an obituary or death notice leaves the expression of sympathy to the giver, rather than dictating what they should or shouldn’t do.

Recent research indicates that sympathy flowers may not only brighten and warm a funeral or memorial service setting, but also have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of the bereaved.

A 2006 behavioral research study conducted at Harvard by Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D., reveals some of the calming, fortifying feelings flowers create. The study reveals that flowers feed compassion and chase away anxiety and worries.

For information on the behavioral research and flowers in general, please visit www.aboutflowers.com

Following are a list of suggested alternative phrases instead of using “In Lieu of Flowers”: