John Lavine, Professor and Director of the Readership Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois said:

"One of the key findings of the Readership Institute’s Impact Study was the importance of people-focused, compelling obituaries. Newspapers across the country are revitalizing these write-ups. Among the best examples are what the New York Times did with the Portraits of Grief after 9-11 or what the Point Reyes Light and Larken Bradley do every week. They are terrific."

Adeline "Sissy" Dreesmann of Los Gatos, California, said:

"Unlike the usual newspaper obituary, Larken takes time and care to interview family and friends so that her stories include depth and detail important to the life of a lost loved one. Her sensitivity and compassion to capture the tone we desired was exceptional."

Gwen Serriere of Murphy’s, California, after the publication of her father’s obituary said:

"You really captured the essence of the man."