Scranton Times-Tribune Obituaries: 2026 Archival Search & Submission Guide

This guide focuses exclusively on the obituary registry, historical archives, and submission processes for The Times-Tribune, the primary daily newspaper serving Scranton, Lackawanna County, and Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA).

Finding, reading, and submitting obituary notices in Northeast Pennsylvania requires navigating a blend of local print traditions and modern digital platforms. As of 2026, The Times-Tribune of Scranton continues to serve as the definitive record of life transitions for Lackawanna County and its surrounding municipalities, including Dunmore, Clarks Summit, Carbondale, and Dickson City.

Whether you are a genealogist tracing ancestral roots in the coal region, a family member preserving a loved one's legacy, or a funeral director managing administrative tasks, understanding the access points, pricing structures, and archival databases of The Times-Tribune is essential.

Accessing Scranton Times-Tribune Obituaries in 2026

The Times-Tribune partners with major digital database providers to make both recent and historical death notices accessible. Depending on the publication year you are targeting, the tools and search methodologies vary significantly.

Modern Digital Records (2000–2026)

For contemporary notices published over the last quarter-century, the most efficient portal is the digital database hosted in partnership with Legacy.com.

• Search Parameters: You can filter searches by first and last name, publication date range, and specific keywords (such as high school, employer, or military branch).
• Interactive Guestbooks: Modern listings include permanent digital guestbooks where friends and family can leave condolences, upload photographs, and share memories.
• Subscription Access: While basic search functionality and index previews are free, accessing full editorial content and print-replica pages may require a digital subscription to The Times-Tribune.

Historical and Genealogical Archives (Pre-2000)

For researchers tracing lineage back to Scranton's industrial peak in the late 19th and 20th centuries, physical and digitized archives offer deep contextual history.

• Albright Memorial Library: Located at 500 Vine Street in Scranton, the Albright Memorial Library (Lackawanna County Library System) houses extensive microfilm collections of the Scranton Republican, Scranton Tribune, and The Scranton Times.
• Digital Newspaper Archives: Strategic partnerships with platforms like Newspapers.com allow researchers with historical subscriptions to search OCR-scanned pages of the publication dating back to the late 1800s.
• Local Historical Societies: The Lackawanna Historical Society, headquartered at the Catlin House in Scranton, provides staffed research services for those unable to access digital indexes.

Step-by-Step Guide: Submitting an Obituary

Submitting a death notice to The Times-Tribune in 2026 can be completed either through an authorized funeral home or directly by the family. Because of the legal verification required for public notices, specific protocols must be followed.

Step 1: Verification of Death

To prevent fraudulent listings, The Times-Tribune requires official verification before any obituary is approved for publication. If you are not utilizing a licensed funeral director, you must provide a certified death certificate or a cremation letter alongside contact details for the administrative facility handling the arrangements.

Step 2: Selecting the Format and Date

Decide whether you want a standard text-based death notice, a comprehensive editorial obituary with a photograph, or a combined package that covers both print and online databases. Notice deadlines are strictly enforced to meet print press runs.

Step 3: Drafting and Proofing

Draft the text keeping in mind that print space is billed based on line or column-inch volume. Ensure crucial details are accurate:

• Full name (including maiden name or nicknames)
• Date of birth and date of passing
• Relevant local history (schools attended, regional employers like Scranton Lackawanna Trust or former coal operations)
• Surviving and predeceased family members
• Visitation, service, and burial details (naming local landmarks or cemeteries like Cathedral Cemetery or Forest Hill Cemetery)

Step 4: Submission and Payment

Submit the finalized text via the newspaper's online portal or through your chosen funeral director. Review the proof carefully; corrections requested after print deadlines cannot be applied to the physical newspaper run.

Comparison of Notice Packages in 2026

To help you choose the right format for your family's needs, the table below outlines the differences between the print and digital offerings provided by The Times-Tribune.

Submission Deadlines and Operational Rules

Managing deadlines is critical when coordinating funeral services to ensure regional attendees receive timely notification.

Operational Standard for Next-Day Print Publication

Submission Deadline: 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), Monday through Friday.

Weekend and Holiday Exceptions: For Sunday or Monday print editions, submissions must be finalized and verified by 2:00 PM EST on Saturday. Late submissions are automatically held for the next available publication cycle.

When drafting, keep in mind that spelling errors in names, dates, or locations cannot be corrected in print once the presses begin running. Always double-check spelling of local landmarks, such as Marywood University, Geisinger Community Medical Center, or regional Catholic parishes, which are frequently cited in local obituaries.

Local Funeral Service Providers and Coordination

Most families find it easiest to coordinate obituaries directly through regional funeral directors. Scranton and the Lackawanna Valley are served by several long-standing, licensed funeral homes that maintain active merchant portals with The Times-Tribune.

• Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home (Dunmore, PA): Assists families throughout the Dunmore and Scranton areas, managing direct newspaper formatting and proofing.
• Corey Brian Strauch Funeral Home (Scranton, PA): Provides simplified digital packaging, helping families secure both local Scranton print runs and national digital syndication.
• Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home (Scranton, PA): Specializes in traditional arrangements, offering experienced handling of print obituaries, memorial service notifications, and local cemetery logistics.

By utilizing these professional services, you ensure that the verification of death, formatting guidelines, and billing details are handled automatically, minimizing stress during a difficult time of transition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search for a historic Scranton obituary from the 1970s?

To find obituaries from the 1970s, you should utilize the microfilm archives at the Albright Memorial Library in Scranton or purchase a digital subscription to Newspapers.com's Northeast Pennsylvania collection. Since these older records predate the internet, they are not indexable via standard search engines and require searching digitized PDF scans of the daily editions.

Can I submit an obituary directly without using a funeral home?

Yes, you can submit an obituary directly to the newspaper's classified advertising department. However, you must provide independent, verifiable proof of death, such as a death certificate or a direct confirmation letter from a licensed crematory or medical examiner's office, before the listing will be approved for publication.

What is the difference between a death notice and an obituary?

A death notice is a short, structured legal classification containing only the essential facts of death and service details, billed at a lower rate. An obituary is a longer, personalized narrative of the deceased individual's life story, achievements, family relationships, and personal history, often including a photograph.

Why is my relative's obituary not showing up online?

If a recently deceased relative's obituary is not appearing on the online portal, it may be due to verification delays, or the family may have opted for a print-only publication package. Additionally, check for alternate spellings or contact the coordinating funeral home to confirm that the digital synchronization step with Legacy.com was completed.

Are older obituaries on Legacy.com free to read?

Basic search listings and name indexes are free to search and view. However, some full-text legacy guestbooks and archival print clippings may require a digital pass or a subscription to either the newspaper's digital edition or its third-party archival partners depending on the exact date of publication.

Preserving the Legacies of Northeast Pennsylvania

Documenting the lives of those who shaped Scranton, Lackawanna County, and the broader Anthracite region is a vital service that preserves local history for future generations. If you are currently planning services or researching family roots, utilize the resources outlined in this guide to connect with regional archives and secure permanent tributes. For direct assistance with submissions, reach out to a licensed Lackawanna County funeral director or contact the Times-Tribune classified department directly to explore custom memorial options.