Frequently Asked Questions
So that you can find the information you need as quickly as possible, this
page includes answers to the most common questions about ObitMessenger.
We recommend that you check the following links for help before contacting
Legacy.com. While our customer service team responds to e-mails very
quickly (within 1 business day), you may find your answer even faster by
checking below.
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General Product Information
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Keyword and Subscription Information
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General Product Information
- What is ObitMessenger?
ObitMessenger is an e-mail notification service that uses keywords provided by you to locate
new obituaries. If an obituary matching any of your keywords is found, the text of the
obituary will be e-mailed to you the same day the obituary appears in the newspaper.
- What obituaries does ObitMessenger search?
ObitMessenger searches through the paid obituaries and death notices published online by
Legacy.com's more than 250 ObitMessenger newspaper affiliates. Depending on each newspaper's policy,
this may or may not include every obituary or death notice published in the newspaper. For a detailed list of our ObitMessenger
newspaper affiliates, please click here.
- Does ObitMessenger search past obituaries?
No. As a daily notification service, ObitMessenger only locates new obituaries that
match your keywords.
- When will e-mail notifications be sent?
You will receive an e-mail notification the first day a paid online obituary from the
newspaper(s) you choose matches any of your search terms. E-mails you receive will contain
the full text of the obituary (with your search terms highlighted) plus a link to the obituary
on the newspaper's Web site, where you can access the Guest Book, find directions to services, or send flowers.
- What search options are available?
There are 2 search packages associated with ObitMessenger: Genealogy and Custom Keyword.
- The Genealogy package relies on last names (up to 5) to locate obituaries.
ObitMessenger searches through the more than 250 ObitMessenger newspaper affiliates and will send
you only those obituaries where the last name of the deceased matches your search term.
- The Custom Keyword package uses customizable search terms (up to 5) to
locate obituaries. ObitMessenger will look through the entire text of the obituary for your
keywords. Keywords can be almost any term; for more information, please see our Keywords
F.A.Q. below.
The Custom Keyword package offes the ability to search through only the newspaper(s) you
specify.
- U.S. Search - ObitMessenger will search all of our U.S. newspaper affiliates for
obituaries/death notices containing keywords you designate.
- Individual newspaper(s) - ObitMessenger will search through only the newspaper(s) you
specify.
- How will I know ObitMessenger is working?
If your search terms are not found in the paid obituaries from the newspaper(s) you choose,
you will receive a weekly e-mail from ObitMessenger notifying you there have been no matches
for your search terms.
If you believe you've received this notification message in error, there are a few reasons
why ObitMessenger may be having problems locating your search terms:
- Your Last Name/Custom Keyword is misspelled
Because ObitMessenger looks for your search terms exactly as you enter them, any
spelling difference might cause a problem. Even common abbreviations should be checked
carefully. For example, a search term of "Mountain Springs" would not locate an obituary
where the phrase appeared as "Mtn. Springs."
- The wrong search package is being used
Because the Genealogy package only searches for last names that match your terms, the
placement of any word or phrase that is not a last name would result in very few matches.
For example, if you were to inadvertently subscribe under a Genealogy package and use the
term "Harvard University," ObitMessenger would literally search for obituaries where the
last name of the deceased was "Harvard University," a configuration which would produce no
matches.
If you are not receiveing results, please log in to your ObitMessenger account and review
both your search package and Last Names/Keywords.
- What if I have another question?
If you have a question that is not addressed on this page, please
send us an e-mail. Our staff will be happy to
assist you. We generally respond to all inquiries within one business day.
Keyword and Subscription Information
- Which search package should I use?
The Genealogy package will only locate paid obituaries where the deceased's last name is the same
as your search term. All search terms must be last names, and ObitMessenger locates only those
obituaries that match your terms exactly.
The Custom Keyword package is more flexible - the search term can be any word or phrase, from
a profession to a company to a university. Even addresses, businesses, and names can be used
under the Custom Keyword search. In addition, the Custom Keyword package may be applied to only
the Legacy.com affiliate newspaper(s) you choose.
For more specific information on the two packages, please visit our
subscription options page.
- Are there search terms I cannot use?
Yes. Certain search terms violate our Terms of Use
and are thus not allowed because they compromise the user experience.
Examples of search terms that are not allowed include using a single letter of the alphabet,
or common words like "died" or "funeral." Enormous resources would be needed to complete these
search requests, causing the ObitMessenger process to slow down for all subscribers.
Additionally, the size of such an e-mail would place an enormous strain on our mail server,
again resulting in a decreased user experience.
Search terms are frequently reviewed to ensure they fall under our Terms of Use and are not
affecting the total user experience. We reserve the right to delete any search term or account
we feel is in violation of these terms.
- Can I change my search terms?
Yes. Every ObitMessenger subscription allows you to create a password for your profile.
You may log in to your profile at any time and modify any or all of your search terms,
as many times as you like, at no additional charge.
- How does the 30-day free trial work?
Your trial subscription enables you to experience the benefits of the service without obligation
for 30 days. At the conclusion of the free trial period, you will be able to continue receiving
ObitMessenger e-mails by selecting one of our paid subscription packages.
- How do I access my profile?
Simply visit www.obitmessenger.com and
use your e-mail address and password to access your profile. Your account information is
saved in your profile, along with your search terms.
- How do I cancel?
You may cancel at any time. However, any fees paid for the ObitMessenger service are
non-refundable. To cancel your subscription, please click here.
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