Writing Obituaries That Actually Work for the Post Tribune
Most people have no idea what a newspaper actually requires when you submit an obituary. I learned that the hard way after my first submission got returned with a note asking me to trim it by nearly half. The Post Tribune, like most regional papers, has specific requirements that aren't widely advertised online. They want concise, factual notices with a minimum amount of biographical detail, and they reserve the right to edit without consulting the family. I've written and submitted dozens of obituaries over the years for friends, colleagues, and clients. The process is straightforward if you understand what the paper is actually looking for, but it gets complicated fast if you're dealing with a large extended family who all have opinions about what should be included.
Post Tribune Obits Honoring Lives Preserving Legacies Through Compassionate Obituary Writing
Here's how I approach the actual writing. Start with the basics: full legal name, age, city of residence, date of death, and cause of death if the family wants that included. Then move to biographical facts — where they were born, education, military service, employment history, and major accomplishments. List surviving family members in the standard order: spouse, children, grandchildren, parents if applicable. Then mention predeceased relatives. End with service details and donation preferences. The compassionate part isn't about flowery language or dramatic emotional appeals. It's about making sure the person comes across as a real human being rather than a resume. I once worked on an obituary for a man who had been incarcerated for twelve years in his forties. The family wanted him remembered, but they also didn't want his entire history in the paper. I found a way to acknowledge it briefly without dwelling on it, and focused instead on his rehabilitation work, his volunteer time at the local food bank, and the relationship he'd rebuilt with his daughter. The editor ran it as-is. That kind of balancing act is where the real work happens. Word count matters more than most people realize. The Post Tribune typically charges by the line or by a minimum word threshold. A standard obituary runs between 150 and 300 words. Going significantly over that will increase the cost, and the paper will also edit down anything past roughly 400 words regardless. There's no point writing 600 words and expecting the family to get their full story printed.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
The biggest mistake I see families make is including too much information that isn't relevant to the notice itself. Resume-style career summaries, lengthy lists of hobbies, detailed medical histories — none of this belongs in a standard newspaper obituary. Save those for a memorial website or a private document. The newspaper notice has a different purpose. It's a public announcement, not a biography. Another issue is family conflict over content. I had a case where siblings disagreed on whether their mother should be listed as a lifelong resident of a particular town. One sibling wanted it included for pride of place. The other said she'd only lived there for six months before moving elsewhere. I suggested using her current address at time of death, which is the standard convention, and dropping the residency claim entirely. Everyone accepted that. If you're in a situation like that, pick the factual route and move on. Deadlines are another practical concern. Most newspapers, including the Post Tribune, require submissions at least 24 to 48 hours before the desired publication date. Funerals often happen within a week of death. That means you need to draft the obituary within a day or two of the passing, which is not easy when everyone is grieving and dealing with logistics. Get one person to own the writing task early. Don't wait for consensus on every detail.
Get the Full Details
What the Post Tribune Actually Requires
The paper accepts obituaries via email, phone, or through their online submission portal. You'll need a contact name and phone number for the funeral home or the family point person. The editor may call to verify details, especially if something seems unclear or incomplete. Be prepared for that call. It usually takes five minutes and prevents publication errors. Photos are accepted but have size and format restrictions. A high-resolution JPEG works best. The paper may decline a photo if the quality is poor, so don't just grab a blurry cell phone snapshot and assume it'll print fine. If you're unsure, send the best image you have and let the editor decide. Cost structure varies. A basic obituary without a photo typically runs around $150 to $250 depending on length. Adding a photo increases the price. Some funeral homes include obituary placement in their packages, but check what's actually covered. Many don't include the writing service, only the submission. If you need help drafting, you can pay a freelance writer or use an obituary service, but it's also something a family member can handle in an afternoon once they know the format.
A Quick Checklist Before You Submit
Verify the spelling of every name — including in-laws and step-family members. Misspelled names in obituaries are the number one complaint I hear from readers. Double-check dates. Make sure the funeral or memorial service information is accurate and complete, including date, time, location, and any livestream details if applicable. Confirm the donation information if the family wants contributions directed to a specific charity. And read the whole thing aloud once before sending it in. You'll catch errors that scanning silently will miss. The final version should reflect the family's wishes while staying within the paper's guidelines. Compromise is normal. You won't get everything in, and that's fine. A well-written obituary that fits the space is better than an ambitious one that gets cut down anyway. If you want to see examples of what the Post Tribune has published recently, go to their website and search the obituary section. It's the fastest way to understand the tone and length they expect. Nothing beats reading actual published examples before you start writing your own.
