Over the past many years, and while most other newspapers have long-charged for obituaries, The Bulletin has published them as a free service, with only expanded obits or extra days being charged for the additional space. 

Although we have done our best to continue this service without initial costs to families, we will begin charging for obituaries starting June 1, 2011. 

The fees that we charge will be modest and will include one photograph with an established size, for page continuity. The obituaries will be handled through funeral homes. Families will be allowed to write as much or little as they like about their lost loved one, which has been popular in other newspapers around the country.  In order to accommodate larger photos and expansive obituaries they will start appearing on Page 5 every day beginning June 1. Obituaries will also be posted on MantecaBulletin.com along with a photo.

The Bulletin will also begin publishing a news feature on our obituary page listing recent deaths called “Area Passings”, to inform readers about those we have lost, while services may still be in the planning stages.

As is the case now, we will work diligently with funeral homes, and our service representatives will take utmost care in handling these sensitive and final stories about the lives of residents.

In some cases, where public figures or those who have specially touched the lives of our communities pass on, you will continue to see separate news stories written about them.

We appreciate your readership and ask for your understanding with this change in our policy.