Words from the grave: Touching, funny messages in obits get wide audience in digital realm

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – The odd requests, strange bits of advice and deep emotion sometimes found on the obituary pages now have a global audience.

A recent death notice that included "do not vote for Hillary Clinton" won nationwide attention. So did a heartbroken plea to find help for drug addicts — from a man whose daughter died of a heroin overdose.

Another man said, "Don't give my ashes to my mother. She'll put them in a drawer with my grandparents."

An executive at Legacy.com, which compiles death notices, said all it takes is one funny, unusual or touching line to send an obituary flying around the world.

She said complete strangers have always read obituaries, and social media have hugely increased that audience.