I've made a number changes in the Maryland Gazette over the last few years, some big and some small. Some have affected many people, others have gone unmarked by most.

Here's one that is sure to touch lots of readers.

On Nov. 1, you will be able to buy space for obituary information that our current policies don't allow.

Those longstanding policies include strict guidelines that preclude details such as grandchildren's names, or pet's names or longtime friends no matter how dear.

The idea has always been based, in part, on space. Adding seven grandchildren's names would add quite a bit of length to an obit. It's a...