BRATTLEBORO — When my father passed away on Sept. 11, his obituary was sent to various newspapers, with the understanding that some do charge for publication. I had understood sometime ago that the Reformer resumed offering it free as a local service, so I was surprised to find that it not only charged but that it was the most costly, more than some larger publications.
To inquire about doing some basic editing so I could bring down the expense, I assumed a phone call to the paper would be simple enough.
After talking to a number of machines I was finally given a number in Massachusetts - a number that turned out to be The Berkshire Eagle - at which, again, a machine informed me no one would be available to talk to until later that day, when I wouldn't be available.
My question is: who profits from our obituaries? Does the Reformer, The Berkshire Eagle (a publication from Massachusetts), or a few at the top?
The Reformer is supposed to be a small local paper, so when did it decide to go corporate in profiting from obituaries? Certainly one would hope they could come up with a more innovative way to do business.
Times are tough - a lot of seniors like my father lived through the Depression and served in World War II. But I question if this would have been their vision in the sacrifices they made. Decent local families again see their youths marching off to war in this collective vision of unity and sacrifice.
I ask the Reformer to reclaim its individuality, and reconsider its policy.