Obituaries Concord Monitor: A Comprehensive Guide
The Concord Monitor, a prominent news publication serving Concord, New Hampshire, and its surrounding communities, plays a crucial role in documenting the lives and legacies of individuals who have passed away. Obituaries published in the Concord Monitor serve as a vital community resource, offering a space for families and friends to announce deaths, share memories, and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. This article delves into the significance of obituaries in the Concord Monitor, exploring their content, purpose, and how they contribute to the historical record of the region.
The Significance of Obituaries
Obituaries are more than just death announcements; they are narratives that encapsulate the essence of a person’s life. They provide a glimpse into the individual’s experiences, accomplishments, relationships, and contributions to society. By preserving these stories, obituaries serve multiple important functions:
- Honoring the Deceased: Obituaries offer a respectful and dignified way to acknowledge the passing of an individual, allowing their life to be celebrated and remembered.
- Informing the Community: They serve as a public notification of a death, informing friends, acquaintances, and the broader community about the passing and funeral arrangements.
- Preserving History: Obituaries become part of the historical record, providing valuable information for future generations researching genealogy, local history, or social trends.
- Offering Comfort and Closure: Reading obituaries can provide comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one, allowing them to reflect on shared memories and find solace in the community’s support.
Content and Structure of Obituaries in the Concord Monitor
Obituaries in the Concord Monitor typically follow a standard format, although the specific content and length can vary depending on the family’s preferences and the significance of the individual’s life. Key elements commonly included are:
- Basic Information: This includes the deceased’s full name, age, date of death, and place of death.
- Biographical Details: This section provides a summary of the individual’s life, including their birthdate and place, education, career, and significant achievements.
- Family Information: Obituaries list surviving family members, such as spouses, children, grandchildren, siblings, and other close relatives. They may also mention deceased family members.
- Personal Interests and Hobbies: This section highlights the individual’s passions, hobbies, and interests, providing a more personal glimpse into their life.
- Community Involvement: Obituaries often mention the deceased’s involvement in community organizations, volunteer work, or other activities that reflect their contributions to society.
- Funeral Arrangements: This section provides details about the funeral or memorial service, including the date, time, and location. It may also include information about where to send flowers or donations in memory of the deceased.
- Photograph: Many obituaries include a photograph of the deceased, offering a visual representation of the individual being honored.
Accessing Obituaries in the Concord Monitor
There are several ways to access obituaries published in the Concord Monitor:
- Online: The Concord Monitor website typically features an obituaries section where recent and archived obituaries can be viewed. Many online obituaries are searchable by name, date, or keyword.
- Print Edition: Obituaries are also published in the print edition of the Concord Monitor, typically in the local news section.
- Funeral Homes: Local funeral homes often publish obituaries on their websites, providing a convenient way for families and friends to access information about funeral arrangements and share condolences.
- Genealogy Websites: Websites dedicated to genealogy research may also contain obituaries from the Concord Monitor, offering a valuable resource for those tracing their family history.
Writing an Obituary for the Concord Monitor
Writing an obituary can be a challenging task, especially during a time of grief. Here are some tips to help you create a meaningful and informative obituary for the Concord Monitor:
- Gather Information: Collect all relevant information about the deceased, including their biographical details, family information, and significant achievements.
- Choose a Tone: Decide on the tone you want to convey in the obituary. It can be formal, informal, or a combination of both, depending on the individual’s personality and the family’s preferences.
- Write a Draft: Start by writing a draft of the obituary, focusing on the key elements you want to include. Don’t worry about perfection at this stage; just get your thoughts down on paper.
- Review and Edit: Once you have a draft, review and edit it carefully, ensuring that all information is accurate and that the obituary is well-written and easy to understand.
- Proofread: Proofread the obituary thoroughly to catch any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
- Seek Feedback: Ask family members or close friends to review the obituary and provide feedback. This can help you ensure that the obituary accurately reflects the individual’s life and legacy.
- Submit to the Concord Monitor: Follow the Concord Monitor’s guidelines for submitting obituaries, including any deadlines or fees.
The Role of Funeral Homes
Funeral homes play a significant role in the obituary process. They typically assist families in writing and submitting obituaries to the Concord Monitor and other publications. Funeral homes also provide a range of other services, including:
- Funeral Arrangements: Funeral homes help families plan and organize funeral or memorial services, including selecting a casket, arranging for cremation, and coordinating with clergy or other officiants.
- Grief Support: Many funeral homes offer grief support services to help families cope with the loss of a loved one.
- Memorial Products: Funeral homes offer a variety of memorial products, such as memorial cards, guest books, and personalized urns.
The Evolution of Obituaries
Obituaries have evolved significantly over time. In the past, obituaries were often brief and formal, focusing primarily on basic information about the deceased. Today, obituaries are more likely to be personalized and detailed, offering a more comprehensive and intimate portrait of the individual’s life.
The internet has also played a significant role in the evolution of obituaries. Online obituaries allow for greater accessibility and interactivity, with features such as:
- Online Condolences: Visitors can leave messages of condolence for the family.
- Photo Galleries: Families can share photo galleries of the deceased.
- Video Tributes: Families can create video tributes to honor the life of the deceased.
- Social Media Sharing: Obituaries can be easily shared on social media platforms.
Finding Historical Obituaries
For those interested in researching historical obituaries from the Concord Monitor, several resources are available:
- Newspaper Archives: The Concord Monitor’s archives may be available at local libraries or historical societies.
- Online Databases: Several online databases, such as Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com, offer searchable archives of historical newspapers, including the Concord Monitor.
- Genealogy Websites: Genealogy websites may also contain digitized obituaries from the Concord Monitor.
The Importance of Accuracy
Accuracy is crucial when writing and publishing obituaries. Errors in dates, names, or other information can cause distress to the family and damage the credibility of the publication. It is essential to double-check all information before submitting an obituary to the Concord Monitor.
Conclusion
Obituaries in the Concord Monitor serve as a valuable community resource, honoring the lives and legacies of individuals who have passed away. They provide a space for families and friends to announce deaths, share memories, and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. By preserving these stories, obituaries contribute to the historical record of the region and offer comfort and closure to those grieving the loss of a loved one. Whether accessed online, in print, or through funeral homes, obituaries in the Concord Monitor play a vital role in connecting the community and preserving its history.
