“We send our condolences to you and your family, and feel blessed that Garret had the opportunity to serve and learn under a truly remarkable man, who was supported by a truly remarkable wife.”The preceding quote is an excerpt from an online comment on the obituary of a local man on the Powell Tribune Web site. The comment is tasteful, eloquent and, perhaps most important, heartfelt. It is one of those statements that is truly meaningful to a family grieving the loss of a loved one — if the family sees it. Not so long ago — barring a relationship that would warrant attendance at a funeral or a phone call to the survivors — a handwritten, personal note was the best way to convey sympathy for a family's loss. In recent years, as people have become habituated to using the Internet, online comments have become more common — even on obituaries. However, grieving families often don't ever see the online comments. And why would they? They're busy mourning the loss of a loved one, and probably not surfing the Web. The message is two-pronged: For the people who want to express their condolences to survivors, a letter or a phone call still is the most reliable way to ensure your thoughts reach the intended recipients. But, for families who have lost a loved one, please know that there will, in all likelihood, continue to be comments on our online obituaries. We urge you to take the time to read the earnest remarks left by people from around the country.

“We send our condolences to you and your family, and feel blessed that Garret had the opportunity to serve and learn under a truly remarkable man, who was supported by a truly remarkable wife.”

The preceding quote is an excerpt from an online comment on the obituary of a local man on the Powell Tribune Web site. The comment is tasteful, eloquent and, perhaps most important, heartfelt. It is one of those statements that is truly meaningful to a family grieving the loss of a loved one — if the family sees it.

Not so long ago — barring a relationship that would warrant attendance at a funeral or a phone call to the survivors — a handwritten, personal note was the best way to convey sympathy for a family's loss. In recent years, as people have become habituated to using the Internet, online comments have become more common — even on obituaries.

However, grieving families often don't ever see the online comments. And why would they? They're busy mourning the loss of a loved one, and probably not surfing the Web.

The message is two-pronged: For the people who want to express their condolences to survivors, a letter or a phone call still is the most reliable way to ensure your thoughts reach the intended recipients. But, for families who have lost a loved one, please know that there will, in all likelihood, continue to be comments on our online obituaries. We urge you to take the time to read the earnest remarks left by people from around the country.