Submitting an obituary requires direct coordination with the funeral directors and staff at Serenity Funeral Service. Because guidelines, deadlines, and formatting preferences may vary depending on the type of service you select, contacting the funeral home directly is the most reliable way to begin. ### Coordinating with the Funeral Director During your arrangement conference, the funeral director will discuss the obituary with you. If you have already written a draft, you can submit it digitally. The staff will review the text for formatting and ensure all service details align with the scheduled events. If you need assistance writing the obituary, the staff can guide you through the process or write it on your behalf using a biographical worksheet. ### Submission Formats and Deadlines To ensure a smooth publication process, keep the following tips in mind: * **Digital Submission:** It is best to submit the text electronically (such as in a Word document or directly in the body of an email) to prevent transcription errors. * **Photographs:** Provide a high-resolution digital photograph of your loved one. A portrait-style photo where their face is clearly visible works best. * **Deadlines:** If you plan to publish the obituary in a local print newspaper in addition to the funeral home's website, ask the funeral director about print deadlines. Newspaper deadlines are often strict and may require submission several days before the scheduled services. ## Writing the Obituary: Key Details to Include
Before finalizing your draft for Serenity Funeral Service, take time to gather all the necessary biographical details. A comprehensive obituary generally includes the following elements: ### Biographical Information Start with the essential facts: the deceased's full name (including maiden name, if applicable), age, town of residence, and the date and place of death. From there, you can share a brief summary of their life, including their place of birth, education, career achievements, military service, hobbies, and personal passions. ### Family and Survivors It is customary to list surviving family members as well as those who preceded the deceased in death. Group these by immediate family (spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, and siblings) and mention extended family or close friends if desired. Double-check the spelling of all names before submitting the text. ### Service Details Clearly state the date, time, and location of all public events, such as visitations, prayer services, funeral services, and graveside committals. If the family is requesting memorial donations in lieu of flowers, include the name of the preferred charity and instructions on how to donate.
## Local Newspaper Publication While Serenity Funeral Service publishes all obituaries on their official website, many families also wish to publish the notice in local print newspapers, such as *The Antlers American* or other regional Oklahoma publications. The funeral home staff can coordinate the submission to these newspapers on your behalf. Keep in mind that while the online listing on the funeral home’s website is typically included in their service packages, print newspapers usually charge a fee based on the length of the text, formatting, and whether a photo is included. The funeral director can provide you with pricing estimates for local publications. ## How to Find and Verify the Online Obituary
Once the funeral home processes and uploads the obituary, it will go live on their website. You can verify the listing and share it with others by visiting the Serenity Funeral Service website and navigating to the obituaries page. The platform offers several tools to help you locate the correct page: ### Search and Filter Tools * **Name Search:** Use the search bar to type the first or last name of the deceased. * **Browse by Month:** If you are looking for a listing from a specific time of year, you can filter the records by the month and year of death. * **Alphabetical Filter:** You can filter the listings by selecting the first letter of the deceased's last name. ### Sharing the Listing Once you locate the individual's memorial page, you can copy the website URL to share via email, text message, or social media. This makes it easy to notify distant relatives and friends of the service details quickly. ## Interactive Features of the Online Memorial
The online obituary page on the Serenity Funeral Service website is designed to be an interactive space for remembrance. When visitors view the page, they can access several supportive features: ### Tribute Wall and Condolences Family and friends can leave messages of condolence, share favorite stories, or upload personal photos of the deceased. This creates a lasting digital scrapbook that the immediate family can read and cherish in the weeks and months following the service. ### Sending Flowers and Gifts The website features direct integration with local florists. Visitors can order sympathy flowers, plants, or memorial gifts directly through the obituary page, ensuring the arrangements are delivered to the funeral home or the family's residence in time for the services. ## Accessing Historical or Older Records
If you are conducting genealogical research or looking for an older obituary, please note that the website may not host historical records indefinitely. If you cannot find a past listing using the online search tools, contact Serenity Funeral Service directly. The staff can search their physical archives or direct you to local historical societies and libraries in the Antlers area that preserve historical newspaper archives.
