Transforming Local News Through Free Community Obituaries — 49% More Than Projo

Transforming Local News Through Free Community Obituaries — 49% More Than Projo

GoLocalProv — the 11-year-old RI-based digital news company — has been giving back to Rhode Islanders, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars each month at their most difficult time.

Starting in March, GoLocal began to build partnerships with the top funeral homes in the state to give all Rhode Islanders the ability to pay tribute to their loved ones — at no cost. Today, 93% of Rhode Island's funeral homes are partners with GoLocal.

Just six months after the program began, GoLocal published 493 obituaries to Rhode Islanders in September.

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This was 49% more obituaries than the Gannett-owned Providence-Journal who posted 329 obituaries during the same month. 

The newspaper charges families on average more than $1,000.

“We are honored to work with the leading funeral homes to provide families an opportunity to pay tribute to their loved ones. This is a very difficult time for many Rhode Islanders. The loss of a family member is heartbreaking and if we can allow them to pay tribute at no cost, in all honesty, it is an honor to be able to help in a very small way," said Josh Fenton CEO and co-founder of GoLocal.

"We are a local company. This is our community. These are family and friends," said Fenton. "Telling stories of the lives of Rhode Islanders is a privilege for our company."