Scranton Times Obituaries Today: Accessing NEPA Memorials And Daily Archives In 2026

Disambiguation Note: Daily death notices for the Scranton metropolitan area are published by The Scranton Times-Tribune (historically known as The Scranton Times). This guide focuses exclusively on locating and submitting obituaries through this primary Lackawanna County publication, which is distinct from Luzerne County's Times Leader and The Citizens' Voice in neighboring Wilkes-Barre.

Locating daily obituaries and historical death notices in Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) requires an understanding of how local media records are published, archived, and digitized. As the primary newspaper of record for Lackawanna County, The Scranton Times-Tribune serves as the vital link for families, genealogists, and community members looking to honor those who have passed.

Whether you are searching for a notice published this morning, researching ancestry in West Scranton, or seeking to publish a memorial tribute for a loved one, understanding the current 2026 digital landscape, publication schedules, and archival access methods will streamline your search.

Navigating Scranton Times-Tribune Obituaries: Digital and Print Access in 2026

In 2026, The Scranton Times-Tribune utilizes a hybrid publishing model. While the physical newspaper continues to be delivered to homes and businesses across the Wyoming Valley and Lackawanna Valley, digital access has become the primary method for viewing daily memorials.

The Digital Replica (e-Edition) vs. the Web Portal

Online readers can access daily death notices through two distinct digital pathways:

• The Live Obituary Portal: Hosted in partnership with Legacy, this portal is updated continuously as funeral homes submit notices. This platform is free to access for standard viewing and features interactive elements such as digital guestbooks, virtual candle lighting, and direct links to local florists.
• The Daily e-Edition: This is an exact digital replica of the printed newspaper. Accessing the e-Edition requires an active digital subscription to The Scranton Times-Tribune. It is highly favored by readers who prefer the traditional layout and want to see the obituaries precisely as they appear on the printed page, complete with photographs and formal formatting.

Publication Schedule and Timing

Daily obituaries are processed, formatted, and published on a strict overnight schedule. Digital notices typically go live on the newspaper’s website and partner portals by 4:00 AM Eastern Time each morning. Print editions are distributed to local retail outlets, convenience stores, and home delivery subscribers throughout Scranton, Dunmore, Taylor, and surrounding boroughs by 6:30 AM daily.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Search and Locate a Specific Obituary Today

Finding a specific daily notice or an older archival record can be accomplished efficiently by utilizing targeted search parameters and utilizing regional library systems.

Searching for Today's Notices

To find an obituary published today, follow these direct steps:

1. Navigate to the Official Portal: Go directly to the obituary section of The Scranton Times-Tribune official website.
2. Use the Filter Tools: Filter your search by selecting "Past 24 Hours" or "Today" from the date range dropdown menu.
3. Keyword Optimization: Enter the last name of the deceased. If the surname is common (such as Kelly, Kovaleski, or Evans), append a first name or the specific municipality of residence, such as "Green Ridge" or "Minooka."

Searching Historical and Archival Obituaries

If you are performing genealogical research or looking for a notice published months or years ago, standard search engines may not yield complete results. Instead, employ the following professional archival resources:

• The Lackawanna County Library System: Local residents with a valid library card can access the NewsBank database for free. This database contains fully indexed, searchable text archives of The Scranton Times-Tribune dating back several decades.
• The Albright Memorial Library (900 Vine Street, Scranton): For deep historical research, the Albright Memorial Library houses microfilm reels containing complete daily editions of The Scranton Times dating back to the late 19th century. Library staff are trained to assist visitors in operating microfilm readers and printing copies of historical notices.
• Digital Memorial Archives: The newspaper’s partnership with national database providers allows users to search historical death notices using advanced Boolean operators (e.g., searching by maiden names, birth locations, or specific decades).

Comparative Breakdown: Online Obituary Portals vs. Local Print Editions

Choosing between print and digital formats depends on your immediate needs, whether you are seeking immediate logistical details for a funeral mass or conducting long-term family history preservation.

How to Submit an Obituary in Scranton, PA: Rates, Guidelines, and Requirements

Submitting an obituary to The Scranton Times-Tribune is a formal process designed to ensure accuracy, dignity, and verification.

Submission Pathways

Most families choose to coordinate the publication of a death notice directly through their selected funeral home. Licensed funeral directors maintain dedicated professional portals with The Scranton Times-Tribune obituary desk, which streamlines the submission, proofreading, and billing processes.

If you are handling a private submission (for example, if a loved one passed away out of state but you wish to publish a memorial in their hometown of Scranton), you must submit the draft directly to the newspaper's obituary department.

Important Operational Requirement: To prevent fraudulent or unauthorized listings, all self-submitted obituaries must be accompanied by official verification of death. The newspaper's editorial department will verify the notice with the attending funeral home, crematorium, or the Lackawanna County Coroner's Office before scheduling the publication.

Deadlines and Formatting Standards

To guarantee publication in the following morning's print edition, all copy, photographs, and scheduling instructions must be finalized and approved by the obituary desk by 3:00 PM Eastern Time the day prior to publication.

When preparing the text, ensure that standard regional nomenclature is used. It is customary in Lackawanna County to highlight local parishes, neighborhood associations, and high school affiliations (such as Scranton High, West Scranton, Dunmore, or Scranton Prep), as these details help local community members identify the deceased and offer their respects.

Regional Funeral Home Partnerships and Logistics in Lackawanna County

Local funeral homes play a central role in managing the administrative workflow for daily obituaries. These institutions maintain daily communication with the Times-Tribune obituary desk on Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton to ensure that service schedules, mass times, and visitation hours are printed without errors.

Some of the primary funeral homes serving the Scranton area and coordinating daily publications include:

• Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home (Green Ridge Street, Scranton)
• Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home (Dunmore)
• Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home (North Main Avenue, Scranton)
• Vanston and James Funeral Home (Ash Street, Scranton)
• Savino Traditional Funerals and Cremation Care (West Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton)

When these local directors submit daily notices, they also coordinate the logistical alignment of the services. This includes ensuring that the correct addresses for local churches—such as St. Paul's Parish, St. Lucy's Church, or Mary, Mother of God Parish—are accurate to prevent confusion for those traveling to attend services.

Frequently Asked Questions about Scranton Times Obituaries

How do I find Scranton Times obituaries from today online?

To view today's obituaries, visit the official website of The Scranton Times-Tribune and navigate directly to the "Obituaries" tab, or visit the Scranton section of Legacy.com. The daily listings are fully updated and searchable by 4:00 AM EST every morning.

Is there a fee to read Scranton Times-Tribune obituaries online?

Reading basic daily obituaries on the partner portal is generally free to the public. However, viewing the exact digital replica of the print page via the paper's e-Edition requires an active digital subscription to The Scranton Times-Tribune.

How can I find historical Scranton obituaries from several years ago?

For historical records, the most effective method is utilizing the digital archives at the Albright Memorial Library or logging into the NewsBank database using a Lackawanna County library card. This provides access to digitized historical search tools, while older archives can be searched on microfilm at the main library on Vine Street.

What is the daily deadline to submit an obituary to the Scranton Times?

All obituary submissions, corrections, and photographs must be finalized and approved by 3:00 PM EST the day before the scheduled publication date. Submissions received after this deadline will be scheduled for the following day's cycle.

Can I post a virtual tribute or light a candle on a Scranton Times obituary?

Yes, the online obituary portal integrated with The Scranton Times-Tribune allows users to leave messages of condolence in a public guestbook, upload personal family photos, and light virtual memorial candles to comfort the grieving family.

Local Support and Memorial Resources in the Scranton Area

Grief and bereavement extend far beyond the reading of a daily notice. For families experiencing loss in the Scranton area, several regional medical and community support networks offer active bereavement counseling and grief support groups:

• Hospice of the Sacred Heart: Located in Dunmore, this organization provides extensive counseling services, support groups, and resources for local families navigating the loss of a loved one.
• Geisinger Community Medical Center (GCMC): The hospital's social services and chaplaincy departments offer bereavement resources and spiritual support groups for families following a loss.
• Traditional Parish and Community Networks: Many local houses of worship across Scranton, Carbondale, and the Mid-Valley offer dedicated grief ministries and support circles to assist residents in finding community connection during times of mourning.

By utilizing these comprehensive local resources, utilizing official database systems, and coordinating closely with established regional funeral directors, you can ensure that your loved one's legacy is accurately documented, preserved, and shared across Northeast Pennsylvania.