It is certainly what Cochran is best known for, and while I think obituaries should be balanced, they also need to tell the truth. The obituary of a priest who died recently here in Boston contained the requisite recitation of piety and good works, but also mentioned that he had been involved in covering up information about other priests accused of having molested children. The letters to the editor complained that mentioning that was tasteless and unnecessary, and shouldn’t we just remember the good things; blah blah blah, sweetness and light. I don’t think the phrase “de mortuis nil nisi” has any place in journalism.

THat said, I haven't read any obits on Cochran and can't say whether they were good or bad; and I'm certainly not in favor of journalistic hack jobs. If that is what generally got produced (and Ill bet the quality varies widely by publication), shame on the press.

Lee