Press-Citizen Obituaries (2024)

FAQs

Why do some people not post obituaries? ›

Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary. Obituaries are also written for the living so that they may learn of an individual's passing.

The FamilySearch Library has two large alphabetical collections of Iowa obituaries. The original collections are at the Iowa Genealogical Society, where most of the obituaries were collected. These obituaries date from about 1850 to 1991.

There are reasons why acknowledging a death in print, whether in a newspaper or online, is a good idea: Paying tribute to the person who has died. Everyone has a unique life story. In nearly every case, it's a story that should be told and preserved.

In some cases, the deceased person may have explicitly requested not to have an obituary written, or the family may feel they would not have wanted one. Additionally, some families may be concerned about privacy or wish to keep the details of their loved one's passing private.

Posting an obituary is not a legal requirement and is a sentimental action. Families don't have to publish one if they don't want it or do not have the funds to do so. While you do not have to share a death note or obituary, you must file a death certificate with your state's office.

Additionally, some families may prefer to keep the details of their loved one's passing private and not share them with the public. Another reason a family might choose not to write an obituary is that it can be expensive.

Sudden, unexpected death is just that: death came without warning. It may happen in a few seconds or minutes, such as in an accident or from a heart attack, or a random, seemingly senseless act of violence. Sudden unexpected deaths also happen when the person is not expected to die in a certain way or place.

There are several reasons why someone would not publish an obituary. If the family does not have enough money to cover the expenses, if the family is small, or if their loved one does not have many close friends who need to be informed, an obituary may not be necessary.

Anyone can obtain public marriage records. Iowa's public record laws do not place any citizenship or residency restrictions on who may inspect or obtain copies of a record. However, marriage records only become public after a set period, typically 75 years.

Read The Paper or Watch The Local News

If you receive a physical newspaper, review the obituaries section to see who recently passed. Searching for someone who died more than 30 days ago? Turn to sites like Google News Archives, US News Archives, or International News Archives.

Are divorce decrees public record in Iowa? ›

Since divorce records are declared public in Iowa, it is not very common to have it sealed. A sealed divorce record restricts public access to such a record.

The cost of a newspaper obituary depends on the size of the newspaper's circulation, whether there's a photo, the number of days it will run, and the size of the obituary. Small towns may charge $50, but on average expect to pay at least $250 for the typical short obituary.

An obituary is written to tell the story of your loved one. These will often be in the funeral program. There will even be a part of the funeral where the obituary will be silently read by everyone in attendance at the funeral.

However, in communities where access to media is limited, or in cases where the deceased or their family prefer privacy, an obituary may not be published. Additionally, socio-economic factors can influence whether an obituary is created, as families with fewer resources might not have the means to publish one.

If it doesn't feel right to post, it's probably best to refrain. If it feels right to post, do so in a respectful way. Think about what your loved one would have wanted, and try to act accordingly to honor and celebrate their life. If you aren't sure how to cope with your grief , feel free to contact us at any time.

While there are no rules when it comes to who writes the obituary, they're typically written by family members or close friends. When a loved one passes, the family usually decides who will write it based on their relationship to the deceased or writing ability.