Navigating death notices in eastern Pennsylvania can feel overwhelming when you're grieving or trying to trace family history. The Morning Call serves Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the surrounding Lehigh Valley counties as the primary daily newspaper of record. Whether you need to publish a tribute, search archived records from decades past, or understand local newspaper submission guidelines, knowing how the system works saves time and avoids costly mistakes.
Finding current death notices or researching historical records requires looking in the right places. The Morning Call publishes notices daily through its digital platforms and partner networks, while older archives provide a window into regional genealogy. This guide breaks down where to find these announcements, how the submission process works, and what details matter most when drafting a meaningful tribute.
Where to Find Morning Call Obituaries
Accessing current and past death notices depends on how far back you need to look. Because media consolidation has shifted how local newspapers handle archives, knowing the correct portals prevents dead ends.
Current and Recent Notices
Recent death announcements appear directly on the newspaper's digital portal hosted via Legacy.com, which partners with The Morning Call to manage daily submissions, guest books, and virtual candle lighting. You can search by last name, date range, or specific Lehigh Valley towns like Whitehall, Emmaus, or Nazareth.
Historical and Genealogical Archives
If you're researching ancestors who passed away decades ago, current daily search engines won't suffice. Local libraries and historical societies hold extensive microfilm collections. Key resources include:
- The Allentown Public Library: Offers local residents access to extensive microfilm rolls and digitized historical editions of The Morning Call dating back to its founding era.
- The Lehigh Valley History Center: Maintains genealogical files, local cemetery records, and historical newspaper clippings that complement obituary research.
- Online Newspaper Databases: Platforms like Ancestry index historical newspaper archives, allowing keyword searches across decades of Lehigh Valley vital statistics.
How to Submit an Obituary to The Morning Call
Submitting a death notice involves specific protocols, deadlines, and cost considerations. Unlike standard news stories, obituaries are paid announcements placed through classified or funeral home submission desks.
Working Through a Funeral Director
Most families coordinate notices through their chosen funeral home. Local funeral directors in Lehigh County and Northampton County maintain direct portals with The Morning Call advertising department. They handle formatting, word counts, photo placements, and billing directly, which streamlines the process during a stressful time.
Direct Submissions
If you are submitting independently, you'll need to contact the newspaper's classified advertising or obituary desk directly. Requirements typically include:
- Written verification from the licensed funeral home handling arrangements or a death certificate copy to prevent fraudulent notices.
- Strict adherence to publication deadlines, which usually fall in the afternoon for publication in the following morning's print and digital editions.
- Payment based on word count, column inches, and whether you include a color photograph or custom graphic symbols like military insignia or religious emblems.
What Information to Include in a Notice
Writing an effective death announcement requires balancing essential facts with a personal narrative that honors the individual's life. While formats vary, standard notices generally follow a structured layout.
Essential Biographical Details
Start with the full legal name, maiden name if applicable, age, and city of residence at the time of passing. Include the exact date and location of death. Mentioning surviving family members—such as a spouse, children, siblings, and grandchildren—requires careful listing to avoid accidental omissions. Preceding family members, such as a predeceased spouse or parents, are typically noted briefly.
Service and Memorial Information
Clear scheduling details prevent confusion for attending mourners. Include:
- Date, time, and exact address of visitation or viewing hours.
- Funeral mass or memorial service location and time.
- Interment or burial details, including whether the service is private or public.
- Memorial contribution preferences, specifying exact charitable organizations or scholarship funds in lieu of flowers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submissions often get delayed or contain painful errors due to rushed editing. Keep these pitfalls in mind:
- Missing Deadlines: Missing the afternoon cutoff means the notice won't appear until two days later, disrupting funeral planning timelines. Always confirm the exact publication schedule with your funeral director.
- Inaccurate Name Spellings: Double-check every family member's name. A single typo in a child's or sibling's name causes distress and requires a costly correction notice.
- Assuming Free Publication: Basic notices are rarely free in modern daily newspapers. Always ask for a cost estimate upfront before approving a lengthy draft with multiple photos.
- Vague Service Details: Forgetting to state whether a service is private or public leads to awkward phone calls to funeral homes. Be explicit about attendance parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit an obituary after it has been published?
Digital editions on partner sites can sometimes be updated for minor typos, but print editions cannot be changed once printed. A correction notice can be published in a subsequent edition, though additional fees may apply.
How much does it cost to publish an obituary in The Morning Call?
Costs vary significantly based on length, inclusion of photographs, and the number of days it runs. Prices range from modest fees for brief notices to hundreds of dollars for multi-column spreads with high-resolution images.
Are all historical Morning Call obituaries available online?
Not everything is digitized. While major portions of the 20th century are searchable through commercial genealogy sites, local library microfilm archives remain necessary for complete historical coverage of smaller towns in the Lehigh Valley.
What should I do if a funeral home isn't handling the arrangements?
If direct cremation or a direct-to-grave disposition is chosen without a traditional funeral director, you can contact The Morning Call advertising department directly. You will need to provide a signed death certificate or authorization from the legal next of kin to verify the passing.
