It’s one of those decisions that I know is not going to make everyone happy.
It puts the newspaper in the difficult position of trying to deliver the news while at the same time trying to respect the dignity and privacy of a family dealing with the worst circumstances imaginable.
We have a policy when it comes to covering funerals. In general, we simply do not. This is usually done out of respect for the families involved.
That is most of the time, not all of the time.
As anyone who has dealt with the loss of a loved one, it is a raw, emotional experience. The last thing I want to do is add to the grief of someone who has already suffered a terrible loss.
I also know that there are instances when news dictates that these events need to be covered.
The county is still dealing with the loss of Lower Chichester volunteer firefighter Nicholas Picozzi Jr. He was killed battling a house fire in Upper Chichester last week.
On Friday night, we rushed out to Lower Chichester when his family held a press conference to thank the public for their outpouring of support and also ask for privacy in this time of their horrific loss.
It’s a request we will try to accommodate. They asked us to use their entire statement. We did that in the Saturday paper. We also have publicized the two funds that have been set up to benefit the family, especially Picozzi’s two children.
Today there will be a viewing in Lower Chichester, followed by a funeral tomorrow with full honors.
We likely will simply take a photo this afternoon to note the long line of mourners waiting for the opportunity to pay their respects to Picozzi. We will not have a reporter there. We will try to offer the family the privacy they need during this moment of loss. We will try to be as unobtrusive as possible as we cover the event. We likely will take the photo from a distance.
Tomorrow will be another matter. The funeral for Picozzi will be a big news event. We will cover it accordingly.
I’d like to think that our coverage is actually part of the honor due this man who put his life on the line for others. Again we will try to maintain our distance and respect the family’s privacy.
It is my hope that our coverage adds to the honors for Picozzi, not detracts from it. It will be our way of offering a final salute.
I know that not everyone will agree with that decision.
I respect those who believe otherwise. I still think it is important for us to be there, to record what will be a very sad, very emotional day for all involved.
And do so in a manner we can all be proud of.
It puts the newspaper in the difficult position of trying to deliver the news while at the same time trying to respect the dignity and privacy of a family dealing with the worst circumstances imaginable.
We have a policy when it comes to covering funerals. In general, we simply do not. This is usually done out of respect for the families involved.
That is most of the time, not all of the time.
As anyone who has dealt with the loss of a loved one, it is a raw, emotional experience. The last thing I want to do is add to the grief of someone who has already suffered a terrible loss.
I also know that there are instances when news dictates that these events need to be covered.
The county is still dealing with the loss of Lower Chichester volunteer firefighter Nicholas Picozzi Jr. He was killed battling a house fire in Upper Chichester last week.
On Friday night, we rushed out to Lower Chichester when his family held a press conference to thank the public for their outpouring of support and also ask for privacy in this time of their horrific loss.
It’s a request we will try to accommodate. They asked us to use their entire statement. We did that in the Saturday paper. We also have publicized the two funds that have been set up to benefit the family, especially Picozzi’s two children.
Today there will be a viewing in Lower Chichester, followed by a funeral tomorrow with full honors.
We likely will simply take a photo this afternoon to note the long line of mourners waiting for the opportunity to pay their respects to Picozzi. We will not have a reporter there. We will try to offer the family the privacy they need during this moment of loss. We will try to be as unobtrusive as possible as we cover the event. We likely will take the photo from a distance.
Tomorrow will be another matter. The funeral for Picozzi will be a big news event. We will cover it accordingly.
I’d like to think that our coverage is actually part of the honor due this man who put his life on the line for others. Again we will try to maintain our distance and respect the family’s privacy.
It is my hope that our coverage adds to the honors for Picozzi, not detracts from it. It will be our way of offering a final salute.
I know that not everyone will agree with that decision.
I respect those who believe otherwise. I still think it is important for us to be there, to record what will be a very sad, very emotional day for all involved.
And do so in a manner we can all be proud of.
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