What If An Obituary Is Inaccurate?

There is no way to amend the version of a newspaper obituary that has already been delivered to households and businesses in the paper's circulation zone if an error has been made. Corrections and retractions are routinely printed in a subsequent edition of a newspaper when such an error is made. Those who submit original stories to newspapers should contact the obituary department if they find there has been a printing error. If you are working on an obituary and are worried about what may happen if you need to change it, reach out to funeral homes in Greenwood, IN for help. 

Can It Be Fixed? 

Newspapers or websites that host obituaries online usually allow editors to edit the digital version. Online obituaries that contain errors can usually be corrected by logging into the site and making the changes yourself. The newspaper should be contacted directly if this is not the case. Some will be happy to correct it and some may be willing to reprint another version of the obituary that contains the accurate information. Most newspapers will not fact check an obituary so there are some that may not be willing to make any changes at all. If the person who originally wrote the obituary asks to have it changed, the publisher may be more willing to do so. 

Who Can Change It? 

Obituary writers sometimes deliberately distort the truth in their stories. False obituaries are written for many reasons: concealing a divorce, excluding children from another marriage, exaggerating a deceased's accomplishments, or excluding certain relatives. When loved ones disagree about these kinds of obituary stories, they tend to complain to the publisher to make things right. Most newspapers and obituary publications will not be able to help outraged readers with incorrect obituary notices, so long as the notice does not violate their content standards (including libel, defamation and hate speech). It is possible for immediate family members to publish their own life stories, however, so they will have a record and a way to provide a different perspective on a memorable person. 

As much as possible, obituaries should be truthful. A life story told with liberties dishonors the dead and the living who are grieving for their loss. Writers of obituaries must adhere to publication guidelines, and ensure respect is given to the surviving family. The story of a deceased person's life should be corrected if it was misleading. In the end, this is their last testament. If you are ready to write up an obituary or you need to correct one and you are in need of help, be sure to reach out to funeral homes in Greenwood, IN. We are happy to assist you with all aspects of funeral planning. We will help you make changes or help you come up with the original content. You don’t have to worry about these things on your own. Give us a call or stop by to learn more about our services.