Taking a quick online tour of Wellesley’s three main funeral homes (originally had started looking into how economy was affecting funeral business, but got no response from the locals):

* George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home: Offers online obits with the option to send an electronic condolence note; provides still photos and a brief video guide; directions and a link to traffic info; FAQs on funeral etiquette (“Wearing colorful clothing is no longer inappropriate for relatives and friends”) and Veterans; email address made available for inquiries (though ours went unanswered); quiky find: “Sending a telegram expressing your sympathy is also appropriate.” A telegram?

* Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home: online obits; email address (though like with Dohery & Sons, our inquiry went unanswered); online information form for pre-planning a funeral; brief descriptions of what to do when a death occurs and how to handle Veterans’ deaths; online directions with map; still photo tour; overall, a lighter online presence than Doherty.

* J.S. Waterman & Sons-Waring: Part of a network of funeral homes dubbed Dignity Memorial, so its web page is less individual than the other two; online directions/map; “Waterman firm made the area’s first cremation arrangement in the late 19th century”; no direct email link listed (need to fill out a form); offers Internet Memorialization web pages: “This Internet feature allows grandchildren and future generations to read and understand the unique and endearing qualities of those who have been loved.”