Editor's Desk: New service will change obit policy

To impose consistency and save space, newspapers generally establish standards for their obituaries, and these rules are sometimes contrary to survivors' wishes.

For instance, limited space prevents us from listing the names and residences of grandchildren. There also is no space for the names of pets and live-in companions, no matter how significant they were in the life of the deceased.

We're about to change things.

Starting Oct. 6, readers will be able to pay for additional material in obituaries. The first four inches will still be free, but families can then add grandchildren's names, employment...