A new way to honor your loved ones is coming in 2021

As many of you know, my mother, Jane Lavoie, passed away in September.

As we began to put together the service to honor her life, I started to create what was a very important part of that tribute — her obituary.

I wanted to let people know why she was so special — some of the personal details and stories that made her the woman she was and the wife and mother my father, brother and I loved and admired.

I wrote the obituary with a full heart and a few tears in my eyes.

It was my last chance to let people know just how much she meant to all of us.

She was a remarkable woman.

Over my years as a newspaper editor, I have been fascinated by obituaries. Every single one is a story of a life.

I have read about some of the most magnificent achievements — heroism on the battlefield, successful careers and businesses started from nothing. And then there were those of people who made a real difference in the world — and whose lives were filled with accomplishments that were extraordinary.

They were all fascinating to read.

But the obituaries that touched me the most were the simple ones — the ones about lives well-lived, but without fanfare or notoriety.

Their stories included words about the loving grandmother who cooked a special dinner for her family every Sunday, a grandfather who never missed his grandchildren’s sporting events, a father whose life was a model for the children who wanted to be just like him or a mother whose gift was raising children who knew that she would always be there for them, no matter what.

Some served their community in small ways, while others volunteered quietly, but mightily, making others’ dreams come true.

Faith, love and friendship — those are the stories those final tributes share. You feel like you wish you could have known the person when you are finished reading.

Rather than make me sad, they made me realize just how much joy there is in being someone’s mom, dad, grandparent, brother or sister. And they are reminders that while some lives are long and well-lived, others might be short but impactful.

All are the manifestation of that old phrase, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”

But when I looked in the newspaper to see my mom’s obituary, I was shocked. There were very few of those tributes, those last words to honor the lives of loved ones.

And most were very short — not much more than the service times and immediate survivors.

“How sad,” I thought. “I would like to have known more.”

But I can tell you why those tributes were so brief.

My mother’s obituary cost more than $900.

It was written by someone who has done tributes just like it all her life.

It is not easy — especially for a grieving family — and the cost is prohibitive, especially with all the final expenses that accompany it.

We think that should change.

So, in the spirit of our mission to bring a different type of news product to Wayne County, the New Old North is launching a new service for local families.

For a flat fee, we will help you create your final tribute, complete with photos and stories about your loved one.

Yes. We said photos. Because another thing that limits those who want their tribute to feel complete is being charged for photographs.

So, what if I had a perfect photo of my mother in mind but my brother wanted to use one that meant something to him? What if my father had another idea altogether? What about the grandkids?

Our answer is to allow you to submit multiple shots that will be embedded throughout the piece.

The tribute, itself, can be done in several ways.

We can interview you and other family members and friends and create a custom obituary, or you can submit your own version.

And if choose to write your own, use all the words you want without being worried about being charged for length.

We will give you a fairly standard form to get you started and are more than happy to edit, or add some flair, should you ask.

When you are finished, we will publish your tribute online under a special header on our website.

And because this is a new service, we also welcome those who might just now be in a place where they can write about a loved one lost weeks, months, or years ago to send their tributes in, too.

Your family will receive 10 copies of your tribute — and one suitable for framing if you wish, with the option to get more copies.

Ken and I have been telling stories for decades — some of which have had a profound influence on who we are as writers and human beings.

Let us help you share yours.

The following options will be available — and priced well below industry standard rates. The most expensive package will be less than half what I paid for my family’s final tribute to my mother.

For details on pricing, please email kfine@newoldnorth.com

The following packages will be available starting Jan. 1, 2021:

GOLD — We craft the tribute based on interviews with the family

• Interview with family

• Custom obituary created by our staff

• Unlimited photos

• Frameable 8.5 x 11-inch tribute

• Up to 10 copies of the obituary (news column format suitable for family Bible)

• Three laminated copies of the news column format

SILVER — You give us the information and we craft the tribute

• Custom obituary created by our staff

• Up to 4 photos