Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I've forgotten my password. How can I retrieve it?
You can reset the password for your account by clicking the “Forgot Password" link in under the Password field on the Login Screen. You will need to put in your current USERNAME then submit the form. You will then get an email with a link to reset your password.
I don't remember my username. Can I retrieve it?
You can retrieve your Username by clicking the "Forgot Username" link under the Username field on the Login Screen. You will need to provide the phone number and zipcode that is set up in your account. Once you submit the form, you will get an email that contains your username and a link to reset your password.
Will my obituary appear online?
We have partnered with Legacy.com, the largest provider of online obituaries, to provide the widest possible audience for our obituaries. Viewers can access our obituaries via www.itemlive.com, or marbleheadweeklynews.com.
Are obituaries viewed often online?
Nearly 20 percent of the volume of visits to our website are for obituaries. Obituary pages are consistently the top section read by our online visitors.
What information is typically included in an Obituary?
Our software will guide you through the process with both required and optional elements. Here is a list of frequently included items:
Should a photo be included with an Obituary?
Photos are a personal preference of the family. Some families choose to use current photos while others select a favorite photo that has special meaning. We now have formats that facilitate two photos – perhaps a younger photo and a current one. As the printed Obituary has lasting value, the family should choose the photo(s) that means the most to them.
What if the photo is older, will it reproduce with good quality?
Your submitted photo will go through an extensive toning process to deliver the best possible quality. However, with older photos, it is sometimes not possible to duplicate the quality of a newer one.
The photo being used is color. Will it appear in color in the newspaper?
Yes, Obituary photos run in full color based on the photo submitted with very rare exceptions based upon the volume of notices on a given day.
Can I use a photo from a website?
Photos from websites are usually too small to print well, even if they look fine on the screen. Images need to be high resolution to avoid looking fuzzy in print.
What is a good resolution for a photo?
A photo should be no less than 300 dpi at the size it will print.
Is there a maximum file size for a photo?
Yes. Photos should be under 2,000 Kbytes or 2 MB.
Can I crop my photo while I'm building my ad?
Yes. You will be presented with cropping options after uploading your photo.
If I work on an Obituary but don’t complete it in one sitting, can it be saved for future use?
Yes, you may build the Obituary and save it for later (buttons at the bottom of the screen). You will simply log in to your account and retrieve the Obituary when you’re ready. If you don’t have an existing account, you will be able to create one.
If I submit the Obituary using the self-service tool and the family wishes to make changes at a later time, will this be possible?
Yes, provided that changes are made before published deadlines. See the deadline schedule under the Pricing & Deadlines link.
How do I pay for an obituary notice?
Funeral homes that are Premium Partners with the Daily Item can elect to be billed or can use a credit card at the time of submission. All others must pay by credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
How will I know how much an Obituary will cost?
Our easy-to-use self-service tool will automatically quote the cost of the Obituary upon completion and before placement. This allows you to know the cost before submitting the obituary. We offer discounts for Daily Item obituaries that are also placed in the Marblehead Weekly News or Lynnfield/Peabody Weekly News.
What is the difference between the Daily Item and the weekly papers?
The Daily Item is published six days a week and circulates principally in 7 towns: Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Revere, Saugus, and Swampscott. The Marblehead Weekly News is published on Thursdays of each week and goes to every home and business in Marblehead (about 9,500 recipients). The Lynnfield/Peabody Weeklies publish on Thursdays of each week. Lynnfield Weekly goes to every home and business in Lynnfield (about 5,300), and the Peabody Weekly goes to about 5,500 selected homes in Peabody.
How many days can obituary run?
Obituaries in the Daily Item can run as many days as you would like. Runs after the first day are discounted at 50% of the first day price. Subsequent runs do not have to appear on consecutive days. Where there is a gap between the passing of the deceased and the service, some people run an obituary soon after the passing to inform people, then run it again closer to date of the services as a reminder. Obituaries in the Weeklies generally run one time but can also run in multiple weeks at 50% off beyond the initial run.
Can I manipulate the information within the ad, i.e. type size, bold, etc.?
No. To keep our Obituaries pages looking dignified, our obituary pages use standard formatting.
Is the preview an accurate representation of how the notice will publish?
Yes. The proof you see or download will be the same look and feel as the actual obituary.
How will I know that the newspaper received my notice?
You will receive a confirmation email along with an emailed proof of the notice once your order is completed and you have submitted it for publication. Please be sure to provide an accurate email address so we can send the final proof to you.