Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about creating, scheduling and submitting an obituary notice.
Can I save my obituary notice without submitting it?
Yes. While signed in, use Save draft to leave the order and return later from Orders. Your progress is also saved as you work. A draft has not been submitted for publication.
What should I do if I need to step away while creating an order?
If you are signed in, use Save draft before leaving, then reopen the order from Orders when you return. Review your text, photos, and publication dates before submitting. Sign in or create an account so your draft appears under Orders.
What if I need to change a notice that has already been submitted?
Open the order under Orders. While it is still Submitted, you can choose Edit order. Changes remain subject to publication deadlines. If editing is unavailable (for example after the notice is proofed), contact your obituary coordinator.
What is the best way to write birth and death dates?
In the notice text, use clear, consistent dates such as Jan. 30, 1919 – Apr. 1, 2011. For separate date fields, use the date picker. When a field asks for birth and death years, enter full years (for example, 1919 and 2011).
How do I avoid extra blank lines at the bottom of the notice?
After pasting text into the editor, check for extra spaces and paragraph breaks. Place your cursor at the end of the text and remove any unwanted blank lines, then review the preview.
What photo formats can I upload?
Use the photo upload control in the notice builder. Common image formats such as JPG and PNG are supported. If a file cannot be uploaded or previewed, try another image format or contact your obituary coordinator.
Will the photo appear in color in the newspaper?
Color or black-and-white printing depends on the publication. Contact your obituary coordinator if you have questions about how photos will print.
How are photos charged?
Photo charges depend on the selected publication and package. Review the calculated price in the order summary before submitting.
Does the preview show how the notice will look?
The preview shows your notice’s layout, text, and photos. Check it carefully for spelling, dates, image cropping, and unwanted blank lines before submitting.
What if I miss the publication deadline?
Choose the next available publication date on the Select Print Dates step. Only dates that are still open for submission are selectable. See Publication Deadlines for the weekly cutoff schedule.
Will my notice appear online?
Online placement depends on your selected publication and package. Review the package details or ask your obituary coordinator where the notice will appear.
Do I need to complete every field?
Complete all fields marked as required. Requirements vary by package. Provide accurate contact information so the obituary team can reach you with questions.
How do I pay for an obituary notice?
Review the payment options at checkout. Most customers pay by credit card. Eligible funeral-home accounts with billing enabled can choose to bill their account or pay by credit card.
How do I know my order was submitted?
After you place the order at checkout, check its status under Orders and review your confirmation email. A saved draft is not a submitted order. Contact your obituary coordinator if you cannot confirm the submission.
Can I add another publication date after the notice has finished running?
Contact your obituary coordinator to arrange another placement. You may need to create a new order if the original order can no longer be edited.
How much will it cost to publish my obituary?
Pricing varies by publication, package, notice size, photos, selected dates, and add-ons. The order flow calculates the price as you build the notice. Review the total before paying.
For funeral homes
For questions about account billing, family payments or funeral-home logos, contact your obituary coordinator.