Clinton Herald Obituaries Clinton Iowa (2024)

FAQs

Why do I read obituaries? ›

For one, obituaries are stories with a closure unlike the daily news items that are generally interim reports. They are often good stories. One reads about remarkable accomplishments, odd achievements, quirky lives, wild adventures, strange vicissitudes, and forgotten personalities.

The FamilySearch Library has two large alphabetical collections of Iowa obituaries. The original collections are at the Iowa Genealogical Society, where most of the obituaries were collected. These obituaries date from about 1850 to 1991.

Posting an obituary is not a legal requirement and is a sentimental action. Families don't have to publish one if they don't want it or do not have the funds to do so. While you do not have to share a death note or obituary, you must file a death certificate with your state's office.

Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one. Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.

At the county level, all vital records occurring in that county are open to the public for inspection. County offices may set and charge a reasonable fee to inspect the records. To secure a certified copy of a record from the county-of-event, applicants must have direct or tangible interest in the record.

Read The Paper or Watch The Local News

If you receive a physical newspaper, review the obituaries section to see who recently passed. Searching for someone who died more than 30 days ago? Turn to sites like Google News Archives, US News Archives, or International News Archives.

Many funeral homes publish obituaries on their websites. These can usually be located with a Google search on the person's name. Local genealogical and historical societies, public libraries, and some newspaper publishers maintain clipping files of obituaries.

During a funeral or memorial service, it is common for someone to stand up and read the obituary to the attendees.

By reading books about death and dying we can increase our own death-awareness and prepare ourselves to be a source of information and inspiration for others.

Having their obituary can help those in attendance reflect on the details of their life. Obituaries are poignant descriptions that showcase the dates, details, and characteristics that make up the person we love. Having that information in a physical, readily available form helps us remember them with clarity and joy.

What to say after reading an obituary? ›

Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your … You and your family are in our hearts/minds/prayers for the loss of…” My condolences on the passing of your…”