Is it permissible to publish condolences in the newspapers?

Question:
A questioner asks: What is the ruling on publishing condolences in the newspapers, and replying to them in the newspapers as well, and writing the noble verses that contain praise for the deceased?

Answer:
In the newspapers, as far as I have heard, it entails a great cost. There is a fear of extravagance and of excessive expenses without need. Otherwise, if one were to write, "May Allah reward the family of so-and-so for their loss and forgive the deceased," there would be no harm. But I have heard that it involves a cost, so leaving it off is better if there is a cost. One should send them a message or a telegram, and that is sufficient. If there is hardship and expense in publishing in the newspaper, it is not of the kind of announcing death that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade.
The announcing of death that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade was that the people of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, when someone died, would have a man ride around among the tribes to announce their dead to them. This was from the practices of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance. But if one writes a letter to console them, or writes in the newspaper, "May Allah reward the family of so-and-so for their loss," there is nothing wrong with it. However, if it entails a cost and is burdensome, it should be left off; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the squandering of wealth, and this is a squandering of wealth. It is sufficient to write a letter to them, or send a telegram, or make a phone call, and that is enough.