A question of coverage

Some FOOs -- friends of obits -- have recently pointed out this article by journalist James Naughton.

Perhaps it was an overzealous editor, but the headline laments the death of obituaries because Naughton could not persuade the Los Angeles Times or New York Times (his onetime employer) to write an obituary for a friend of his who had recently died.

Naughton notes his frustrations with major publications over the rejection, but the piece raises some issues worth mulling among any obituary enthusiast.

Does his friend merit an obituary by a major metropolitan newspaper that faces limited staff resources and must make important news judgments on who warrants coverage?