Proofread Before You Post!!

 

Proofread Before You Post: Why Accuracy in Obituaries Matters More Than Ever

By Joe Clark, Funeral Director & Author

Let’s be honest — mistakes happen. We’re human. But when it comes to publishing obituaries, those mistakes carry more weight than a misplaced comma or a misspelled name. They’re not just typos; they’re wounds to a family’s grief and blemishes on your funeral home’s reputation.

The Growing Problem

Lately, I’ve noticed a troubling trend among funeral homes in our region: obituaries going live on websites or being submitted to newspapers with missing information, wrong spellings, and even incorrect dates or relationships. Some are riddled with grammatical errors that make the text hard to follow. Others omit survivors or list the wrong church or cemetery.

It doesn’t matter whether the mistake came from a rushed upload, an outdated file, or an oversight during proofreading — the result is the same. It looks careless. It looks unprofessional. And it reflects directly on your funeral home.

Why It Matters

An obituary isn’t just a public notice. It’s often the final record of a person’s life — the one their children and grandchildren will someday look up. That means every detail should be correct, dignified, and carefully presented. When an obituary goes out with errors, it sends a message to the public: “We didn’t take the time to double-check.”

Families notice. So does the media. And in the age of screenshots and social sharing, one mistake can circulate far beyond your website.

The Simple Fix: Slow Down and Proofread

Before hitting “publish,” have at least two people review every obituary — one who prepared it and one who didn’t. Check the spelling of every name, the accuracy of dates, and the inclusion of all key details (especially survivors and service times). Read it out loud; errors jump out more clearly when spoken.

If your funeral home uses templates or automated upload systems, don’t rely on them blindly. Technology is helpful, but it won’t catch a missing grandchild or a church name that changed last year.

Your Reputation Is on the Line

A well-written, accurate obituary builds trust. A sloppy one tears it down. Funeral service is built on dignity, detail, and care. When an obituary goes out wrong, it contradicts everything we claim to stand for.

Proofreading doesn’t cost a dime — but the cost of not doing it could be your credibility.

In Closing

Families deserve better. The deceased deserves better. And frankly, your brand deserves better.
Take the extra five minutes. Review every word. Because once it’s published, it’s permanent.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Funeral Homes Cannot Offer Free or Heavily Discounted Funerals

Image
  Why Funeral Homes Cannot Offer Free or Heavily Discounted Funerals (And Why That Doesn’t Mean They Don’t Care) by Joe Clark, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer When families are grieving, cost is often the last thing they want to think about. And that’s understandable. But over the past few years, many funeral homes have noticed a growing belief that funeral services should be free — or nearly free — simply because compassion is involved. That belief usually isn’t rooted in bad intentions. It’s rooted in what the public doesn’t see . Funeral Directors Are Highly Educated, Licensed Professionals Many people are surprised to learn that funeral directors are not “trained on the job.” Before ever caring for your loved one, funeral directors must: Attend mortuary college Pass national and state board examinations Complete an extensive apprenticeship Maintain licensure through required continuing education These requirements exist to protect families and ensure ever...
Read more

When the Wells Run Dry: A Prophetic Warning

Image
 Several communities across Eastern Kentucky are facing a quiet but deeply unsettling crisis. In those communities and in small towns across Appalachia ,  residents are once again being reminded of a truth so basic we often overlook it: life depends on water. Recently, a city official in Hazard, KY stated publicly that population growth is outpacing infrastructure—that the available water supply is no longer sufficient to meet the community’s needs. On the surface, that sounds like a civil engineering problem. From a pastoral and prophetic perspective, it sounds like a warning In Scripture, water is never treated as merely a resource. It is sacred, symbolic, and inseparable from life itself. From the opening verses of Genesis to the final invitation in Revelation— “let him that is athirst come” —water represents sustenance, renewal, covenant, and the presence of God. When water flows freely, communities flourish. When water becomes scarce, Scripture consistently treats it...
Read more

Beyond Burial & Cremation: Alternative Methods of Final Disposition

Image
  When most people think about end-of-life arrangements, two options typically come to mind: traditional burial or cremation. However, in recent years, several alternative methods of final disposition have emerged—many of them designed to be more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, or personally meaningful. While some of these methods are still gaining acceptance in certain regions, they represent a growing shift in how we think about death care and legacy. Green Burial Green burial is one of the most widely recognized alternatives to traditional burial. At its core, it focuses on returning the body to the earth in the most natural way possible. This means no embalming chemicals, no metal caskets, and often no concrete vaults. Instead, the body is typically placed in a biodegradable casket or simple shroud and buried in a natural setting. The goal of green burial is to minimize environmental impact and allow natural decomposition to occur. Many green cemeteries also maint...
Read more