Modesto Bee Obits Mod Obituary
How to Submit an Obituary to the Modesto Bee: A Step-by-Step Guide
This guide provides a comprehensive, beginner-friendly walkthrough on how to submit an obituary to The Modesto Bee. We'll cover everything from gathering necessary information to submitting your final draft, ensuring a smooth and respectful process.
Prerequisites:
- Information about the Deceased: This is the most crucial prerequisite. You'll need factual details about the deceased's life, including:
- High-Resolution Photo: A good quality photo of the deceased is highly recommended. Aim for a clear, recent image where their face is easily recognizable. Digital photos are preferred.
- Payment Method: The Modesto Bee charges for obituaries. Have your credit card or other payment method readily available.
- Time: Crafting a thoughtful obituary takes time. Allow ample time for writing, editing, and gathering approvals from family members.
- Contact Information: You'll need your own contact information (name, phone number, email address) for the newspaper to reach you with questions or confirmation.
- Computer with Internet Access: Required for accessing The Modesto Bee's online submission portal.
- Word Processing Software: (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) Useful for drafting and editing your obituary before submitting it.
- Image Editing Software (Optional): If your photo needs minor adjustments (cropping, brightness), basic image editing software can be helpful.
- Notepad and Pen: For jotting down ideas, gathering information from family members, and making notes during the writing process.
- Photo Quality: If your photo is rejected due to poor quality, try scanning a physical photo at a higher resolution or using a different digital photo.
- Word Count: If your obituary exceeds the word count you budgeted for, you'll need to shorten it. Focus on the most important details and eliminate redundancies.
- Payment Issues: If you encounter problems with payment, double-check your credit card information and contact your bank or credit card company.
- No Confirmation Email: If you don't receive a confirmation email within a reasonable timeframe, check your spam folder. If it's not there, contact The Modesto Bee to confirm your submission.
- Formatting Errors: If the formatting of your obituary appears incorrect in the preview, try adjusting the formatting in your word processing software and re-pasting the text into the online form. Contact The Modesto Bee if the problem persists.
- Family Disputes: If family members disagree on the content of the obituary, try to reach a compromise. It's important to present a unified and respectful message. If disagreements are irreconcilable, consider submitting separate, shorter notices.
* Full legal name (and any nicknames they preferred)
* Date of birth and date of death
* Place of birth and place of death
* Names of parents (including maiden name of mother)
* Marital status (including name of spouse, if applicable)
* Names of children (and their spouses, if applicable)
* Names of grandchildren and great-grandchildren (if applicable)
* Names of siblings (and their spouses, if applicable)
* Educational background (schools attended, degrees earned)
* Career history (employers, job titles, accomplishments)
* Military service (branch, rank, dates of service, awards)
* Hobbies, interests, and passions
* Memberships in organizations (religious, social, professional)
* Charitable contributions or causes they supported
* Details of memorial service or funeral arrangements (date, time, location)
* Information for directing memorial donations (if applicable)
Tools:
Numbered Steps:
1. Gather Information and Photos: Before you begin writing, collect all the necessary information about the deceased as outlined in the "Prerequisites" section. Gather photos and choose the one you want to use.
2. Draft the Obituary: Use your word processing software to write the obituary. Here's a suggested structure:
* Opening Sentence: Start with a clear and respectful announcement of the death, including the deceased's full name, date of death, and age. Example: "John Smith, age 85, of Modesto, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2023."
* Early Life: Briefly mention their birth date, place of birth, and parents' names.
* Education and Career: Highlight significant educational achievements and career milestones.
* Personal Life: Describe their marital status, children, grandchildren, and any important relationships.
* Interests and Accomplishments: Detail their hobbies, passions, and significant accomplishments in life. This is where you can personalize the obituary and showcase their unique character.
* Community Involvement: Mention any memberships in organizations, volunteer work, or charitable contributions.
* Funeral/Memorial Arrangements: Provide details about the date, time, and location of the funeral or memorial service.
* Memorial Donations (Optional): If the family prefers donations to a specific charity in lieu of flowers, include the charity's name and address or website.
* Closing Statement: End with a final expression of love, remembrance, or a quote that reflects the deceased's personality. Example: "He will be deeply missed by all who knew him."
3. Edit and Proofread: Carefully review the obituary for accuracy, clarity, and grammar. Ask a family member or friend to proofread it as well. Ensure all dates, names, and places are correct. Pay attention to tone and ensure it is respectful and appropriate.
4. Determine Length and Cost: The Modesto Bee charges for obituaries based on length (word count). Once you've finalized your draft, check the word count. The Modesto Bee's website will likely provide information on pricing per word or per line. Be prepared for the cost.
5. Visit The Modesto Bee's Obituary Submission Portal: Navigate to The Modesto Bee's website (modbee.com) and look for the "Obituaries" or "Place an Obituary" section. This is usually found under "Classifieds" or "Community" sections.
6. Create an Account or Log In: You may need to create an account on the website to submit the obituary. If you already have an account, log in.
7. Complete the Online Form: The online submission form will typically ask for the following information:
* Deceased's Full Name
* Date of Death
* Obituary Text (Copy and paste your draft from your word processing software)
* Photo Upload (Upload the high-resolution photo you selected)
* Contact Information (Your name, phone number, email address)
* Publication Date (Choose the date you want the obituary to appear)
* Special Instructions (Any specific requests or instructions for the newspaper)
8. Review and Approve the Preview: Before submitting, carefully review the preview of the obituary as it will appear in the newspaper. Check for any formatting errors or typos.
9. Make Payment: Enter your payment information (credit card or other accepted method) and submit your payment.
10. Submit the Obituary: Once you've reviewed the preview and made payment, submit the obituary. You should receive a confirmation email from The Modesto Bee.
11. Keep a Copy of the Submission: Save a copy of the submitted obituary and the confirmation email for your records.
12. Contact The Modesto Bee with Questions: If you have any questions or concerns, contact The Modesto Bee's obituary department directly. Their contact information should be available on their website.
Troubleshooting Tips:
Summary:
Submitting an obituary to The Modesto Bee involves gathering information, drafting the text, preparing a photo, using the online submission portal, paying for the service, and carefully reviewing the final product. By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can ensure a respectful and accurate tribute to the deceased. Remember to allow ample time for the process and involve family members in the writing and approval stages. This guide aims to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible during a difficult time.
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