For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193.
Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com.
In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased’s care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email.
All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full.
Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published.
Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing.
One thing that I love most about the culture here at Reading Hospital is the way we come together to support meaningful causes. It’s part of the Tower Experience, and our team spirit will again be on full display as we get ready for the annual Reading Hospital Road Run on Oct. 19.
The Reading Hospital Road Run will raise funds for our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which is the only Level III NICU in Berks County. Proceeds will benefit critical initiatives that help to support care and equipment in our NICU, ensuring that even our tiniest patients have the best possible start to life.
Organized by The Friends of Reading Hospital with support from the Reading Hospital Foundation, the event brings people together from all across Berks County and beyond to support the hospital. This year, however, it carries an even more special meaning for families and staff connected to our NICU, which has saved countless tiny lives.
When NICU nurse Bonnie Korell learned that Reading Hospital Road Run proceeds are supporting her unit, she quickly pulled together a team of more than 60 colleagues, family members and friends to form the Preemie Swaddle Squad.
“This is our most vulnerable population,” Korell said. “So when I learned that the race was benefiting initiatives where I work, I thought we should make a team to support our unit. By mid-morning, we had a team name and even a motto: ‘We walk miles for miracles.’”
Among the participating families is Beth McEldorney, a NICU nurse at Reading Hospital whose son spent time in our NICU 15 years ago. During the Reading Hospital Road Run, he plans to run the 5K by her side.
“My son had a very difficult start,” McEldorney said. “He was intubated and on maximum support, which had complications that led him to a chest tube and vasopressors. Due to a large brain bleed, there was a possibility he may have never walked.”
McEldorney learned about the race through Korell and said she is excited to participate.
“Not only to honor my son’s journey, but to give back to the unit that helped save his life,” she said.
For many of us here at Reading Hospital, this event will be more than just a fundraiser. It’s a chance for NICU families and staff to connect, to share their stories and honor the strength of NICU children. It’s also a chance to showcase the constant community spirit and support felt at Reading Hospital every day.
For more information on the race, to register yourself or a team or to make a donation, visit RHRoadRun.com.
Dr. Charles F. Barbera is president and CEO of Reading Hospital.