The Funeral Directors Association of Northwestern Ohio, which encompasses over 40 different funeral homes in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, announced its new obituary service for families experiencing loss.
In an ever-evolving digital world, many once-print services are now being offered online. Even businesses like funeral homes are seeing the impact of the digital age.
Great Lakes Obituaries will offer an online platform for people to read about people that have passed away in the community.
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“Our idea was to have a listing as a, as an association of funeral homes, a listing of deaths, so people can see that, who has passed in Northwest Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and then they click on their name and go right to the funeral homes website, where the complete obituary is on,” a spokesperson from the Funeral Directors Association of Northwestern Ohio said. “That is the idea. So, it’s more of a service to the public, since we don’t have the newspaper options anymore.”
Print obituaries in newspapers can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on the newspaper. Families also must pay extra depending on how long the obituary is or if they want to include a photo.
“Families are scrambling for just enough money to have a service and celebrate their loved one’s life. And then they, the obituary may cost more than for example, say the cremation or the cost of the burial itself,” the spokesperson said.
The Great Lakes Obituaries service will only be $25 for families, which is then used to keep the website operational. Any money left at the end of the year un-used will then be dispersed to local charities.
“This is a total, there is no profit at this website,” they said. “Those funds will go back to, for example, hospice in Northwest Ohio, scholarships for students going into mortuary sciences, things of that nature is what those funds extra funds are for.”
For more information about Great Lakes Obituaries, visit https://www.greatlakesobituaries.com.
