The Houston Herald announced this week it has changed it guidelines for obituaries in response to many who wanted an unedited obituary in the newspaper.
Publisher Brad Gentry and Assistant Managing Editor Jeff McNiell said the modification follows a consultation with funeral home directors in the county and a review of the Herald’s obituary policy and those in place at other newspapers in the state.
The Herald will provide a number of services for a nominal fee for families through their funeral homes:
*A death notice will appear at the Herald’s Web site, along with a photograph, when available. It outlines visitation, services and memorial requests. If the funeral home has a Web site, a link also is provided for online condolences.
*The same information will appear on cable channel 7 seen in Houston, Licking and Raymondville households.
*The family of the deceased decides what obituary information to include in the printed edition of the Houston Herald, as well at its electronic edition. It will not be edited, and it will appear as submitted. A picture of the deceased, when available, also will be included in the obituary.
The local funeral home director will submit the information to the newspaper.
*Through an upcoming redesign of the Herald, flag artwork will be included with any obituary of those serving in the military. That will occur either in the last quarter of the year or early next year.
A brochure detailing the policy is available at the county’s funeral homes.
A less detailed obituary option also is available, and there is no charge.