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Tips to avoid having an obituary edited

SIX TIPS TO PREVENT EDITING OF AN 0BITUARY

The Daily News reserves the right to edit paid news obituaries, but not all obituaries require editing. Below are some rules of newspaper style for those who want to avoid having an obituary edited. The following will be re-worded or deleted.

1. Messages to the person who has passed away: Families have substantial leeway in what they may say about their loved one, but writing a message to the deceased is not appropriate in a news obituary. Example: Instead of “David, we miss your beautiful smile,” the family might instead write: “David warmed our hearts with his beautiful smile.”

2. Poetry: The Daily News does not publish poetry on our news pages. 3. Euphemisms: We’re sorry, but because obituaries are treated as part of our news, they must conform to news style. Outside of the family statement, we do not publish phrases such as “passed away,” “went to be with the Lord” or other euphemisms for “died.”

4. Acronyms: Unless the acronym is universally known (CIA, IRS, NRA, NAACP), please spell it out. If we don’t know what the letters stand for, most of our readers won’t either. If we have no time to call, or we call and cannot reach you, the acronym will be deleted.

5. Survivor names: Most adult survivors, clergy and others mentioned in obituaries must have both a first and last name. (First names only are permitted for grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other young people.) The Rev. Doe is not sufficient. We need The Rev. John Doe. Replace “Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Collins” with “Ronald and Mary Collins.” Also, please do not list unborn children in the survivor list. Instead, in the family statement, say something like this: “Charles was looking forward to the birth of his third grandchild in December.”

6. Preceded in death: Saying that someone age 60 or older was preceded in death by his parents is, more often than not, stating the obvious. If the family would like to mention the parents of the deceased who is 60 or older, please do so in the birth paragraph only. Example: Mr. Smith was born April 5, 1930, to Ruby and Arnold Smith, in Memphis, Tenn." When Ruby and/or Arnold don't appear in the survivor list, readers will logically assume that they preceded the subject in death.

The following four obituary elements are now allowed, beginning Jan. 2, 2007:
1. The deceased may now be referred to by his or her first name throughout the obituary. A courtesy title is no longer required unless the family prefers to use one.
2. Expressions of thanks to health care provider and others, within reason.
3. Sentiments of a personal nature outside the family statement, within reason. For example, it is now OK to say “He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Mary.”
4. Middle names and initials are OK wherever the family wants to include them, including survivors’ names.