How to Navigate Today’s Obituary Section in The Morning Call (Allentown, PA)

Finding a loved one's obituary can feel like stepping into a quiet hallway of memories. The Morning Call’s online obituary page offers a blend of recent notices, tribute videos, and searchable archives—all in a layout that respects the solemn nature of the content while staying surprisingly easy to use.

Where to Begin: The Main Obituary Landing Page

When you first land on the Morning Call site, look for the “Obituaries” link in the top navigation bar. Clicking it drops you onto a clean, white‑background page that lists the most recent entries in reverse chronological order.

• Date and name appear in bold at the top of each entry.
• A short excerpt, usually the first few lines of the tribute, follows beneath.
• Icons for “Read More,” “Share,” and “Print” sit to the right, letting you quickly decide how to engage.

If you’re hunting for a specific person, the search bar at the top of the page accepts full names, partial spellings, or even keywords like “Veteran” or “Memorial Service.” The results refresh instantly, saving you from endless scrolling.

Dig Deeper: Using Filters and Advanced Options

Beyond the basic search, the page offers a handful of filters that can dramatically narrow your view:

• Date Range – Choose a custom window (e.g., last 7 days, last month) to focus on recent notices.
• Location – Limit results to Allentown, Bethlehem, or surrounding Lehigh Valley towns.
• Service Type – Separate traditional funerals from cremation ceremonies or memorial gatherings.

These options sit just above the list of obituaries and can be toggled on or off with a single click. Once set, the page updates automatically, keeping the process fluid.

What Each Obituary Typically Contains

While each notice is personalized, most follow a common structure:

• Full Name and Age – Usually the first line.
• Life Summary – A brief paragraph highlighting career, family, hobbies, and community involvement.
• Service Details – Date, time, and venue for funeral or memorial service.
• Condolence Options – Links to send flowers, make a donation, or leave a virtual guestbook comment.

Some families also embed a slideshow of photographs or a short video tribute, which you can view by clicking the “Watch” icon.

Printing or Saving a Tribute

When you need a hard copy for a funeral program or simply want to keep a digital record, the “Print” button does more than just open a browser dialog. It generates a printer‑friendly PDF that strips away navigation menus and extraneous ads, leaving only the obituary text, any attached images, and the service details.

If you prefer a digital file, right‑click the “Print” button and select “Save as PDF.” This creates a tidy, shareable document that can be emailed to distant relatives who may not have internet access.

Staying Updated: Subscription and Alerts

The Morning Call lets you sign up for email alerts tied to specific keywords. Want to be notified whenever a certain family name appears? Just enter the name in the “Obituary Alerts” field, confirm your email address, and you’ll receive a brief notice each time a matching entry goes live.

There’s also a “Weekly Digest” option that compiles all new obituaries from the past seven days into a single email—handy for those who prefer a summary over daily checks.

Respectful Community Interaction

Leaving a condolence message on the site is straightforward. After clicking “Leave a Message,” a modest textbox appears where you can type a few heartfelt lines. The platform automatically filters out profanity and overly promotional content, ensuring the space remains a place of genuine sympathy.

Remember, many families revisit the page multiple times to read messages from friends they may have missed in the moment. Keeping your note concise and sincere respects both the grieving relatives and other readers.

Tips for Researchers and Genealogists

Beyond immediate family and friends, the obituary archive is a goldmine for anyone tracing local history or building a family tree. Here are a few shortcuts:

• Use the “Advanced Search” to combine name, date range, and location—great for narrowing down common surnames.
• Check the “Related Articles” sidebar; sometimes a funeral home or church publishes additional details that the newspaper didn’t include.
• Export the entire list for a month as a CSV file via the “Download Data” button (available to subscribers). This makes bulk analysis possible without manual copying.

When the Online Page Isn’t Enough

Occasionally, families may prefer a printed obituary in the newspaper’s physical edition. In those cases, the online entry will note the exact page number and date of the printed version. You can request a copy through the “Print Obituary Request” link, which typically costs a modest fee.

If you’re unable to locate a notice that you’re sure exists, consider contacting the Morning Call’s obituary desk directly. Their staff can confirm publication dates or help retrieve an older notice that may have been archived offline.