Accessing Florida Times Union Obituaries: 2026 Search Guide, Historical Archives, And Memorial Submission Costs

Please note: This guide focuses exclusively on the Florida Times-Union, the primary daily newspaper of record for Jacksonville and the Northeast Florida "First Coast" region. It is distinct from the Albany Times Union of New York.

Finding records of loved ones, conducting genealogical research, or placing a memorial notice in Jacksonville, Florida requires navigating the specific systems of the region's historical newspaper of record. The Florida Times-Union has served Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau, and Baker counties for over 150 years.

Whether you are looking up a recent passing from this week or tracing ancestors back to the Reconstruction era, this guide provides the exact steps, current 2026 pricing, and archival strategies needed to navigate the Florida Times-Union obituary database.

Finding Recent Jacksonville and Northeast Florida Obituaries Online

Recent obituaries published in the Florida Times-Union are hosted via a digital partnership with Legacy.com. This online portal provides a searchable database of deaths registered across the First Coast metropolitan area.

To locate a recent obituary:

1. Name Search: Enter the first and last name of the deceased. Due to common transcription errors, try searching with variations of the first name or just the last name if the initial search is unsuccessful.
2. Date Range Filter: Narrow the search by selecting "Past 30 Days," "Past Year," or custom date ranges.
3. Keyword Matching: If the name is common, add keywords like "Jacksonville," "St. Augustine," "naval base," or specific funeral home names in the search field to filter results.

Every digital listing since the early 2000s features an interactive Guest Book. Family members and friends can leave condolences, upload photos, or light virtual candles. In 2026, these guest books remain permanently accessible to the public, though the moderation of entries is handled by the platform to prevent spam or inappropriate content.

How to Submit a Memorial Notice in the Florida Times-Union in 2026

Placing an obituary or memorial notice in the print and digital editions of the Florida Times-Union requires adhering to strict verification and formatting guidelines. This process ensures the integrity of the newspaper's public records.

The Two Methods of Submission

Families can submit notices through two primary channels:

• Authorized Funeral Homes: Most licensed funeral directors in Jacksonville, Orange Park, St. Augustine, and Fernandina Beach handle the submission process directly on behalf of the family. They submit the finalized text directly through the newspaper's trade portal, which minimizes the risk of scheduling delays.
• Direct Self-Service Submission: If you are handling arrangements independently, or placing a memorial anniversary notice, you must submit directly through the Gannett/Times-Union Milestones self-service portal.

Security and Verification Requirements

To prevent fraudulent listings, the Florida Times-Union requires official verification for all direct submissions. You must provide:

• The name and contact information of the licensed funeral home, crematory, or anatomical board handling the remains.
• A death certificate copy or a cremation certificate (if the service provider is out-of-state).
• Your legal identification and billing details.

No obituary will be scheduled for print or digital publication until the newspaper's obituaries department has verified the death with the listed service provider.

Comparison of Memorial Publication Packages and Costs

The cost of publishing an obituary in the Florida Times-Union varies based on word count, the inclusion of a photograph, the number of days the notice runs in print, and the digital upgrade options selected.

The following table outlines the standard 2026 rates and packages for individual placements.

Note: Print costs are highly dependent on the final line count. A standard line accommodates approximately 5 to 6 words. Bold headlines, special veteran emblems, and custom religious icons incur additional flat-rate fees.

Accessing Historical Archives for Genealogy Research

Because the Florida Times-Union traces its history back to the late 19th century (formed by the merger of the Florida Daily Times and the Florida Union in 1883), it is one of the most important genealogical resources in the American Southeast.

If your ancestor passed away in Jacksonville or the surrounding counties prior to 2001, you must use alternative historical databases and archival repositories.

1. The Jacksonville Public Library (Main Branch)

The Special Collections department, located on the fourth floor of the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville (303 N. Laura Street), holds the most comprehensive physical archive of the newspaper.

Microfilm Collections and Indexing

The library maintains microfilm reels of the Florida Times-Union and its predecessor publications dating back to the Civil War era.

Researchers should consult the library's physical card catalog and digital obituary index, which index local deaths published in the paper from the late 1800s through the late 20th century. Library staff can assist with operating the digital microfilm scanners, which allow you to save copies directly to a USB drive or email them to yourself.

2. Digital Newspaper Databases

For off-site research, several digital subscription services license historical archives of the paper:

• NewsBank: Offers digital text-only access to Florida Times-Union articles and obituaries from 1989 to the present. Select library cardholders can access this database for free via the Jacksonville Public Library's remote portal.
• GenealogyBank & Newspapers.com: These platforms feature high-resolution page scans of historical editions of the paper from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. These scans are highly valuable because they show the obituary in its original print context, alongside estate notices, probate announcements, and local news stories.

Pros and Cons of Digital vs. Print Memorial Notices

When deciding how to honor a deceased family member, you may weigh the benefits of print versus digital-only publications. Both options offer distinct values for families in the First Coast region.

Print Publications

• Pros: Print obituaries serve as a tangible keepsake for scrapbooks, family bibles, and archives. They are widely read by older residents in Northeast Florida who rely on the daily print newspaper for community news.
• Cons: Print is highly expensive and subject to strict word limits. Errors cannot be corrected once the printing presses run.

Digital-Only Publications

• Pros: Digital notices allow for unlimited text length, multiple color photos, video embeds, and direct linking to memorial funds or charitable donations. They are instantly shareable via social media and email, and they cost significantly less than print.
• Cons: Digital notices lack a physical artifact to hold. They may not reach local acquaintances who do not use computers or social media networks.

Step-by-Step Guide: Submitting an Obituary Online

If you are preparing to write and submit a notice yourself, follow this systematic workflow to avoid publication delays.

Step 1: Draft the Text Offline

Write the obituary in a word processing program before logging into any submission portal. Ensure you include the vital statistics: full name (including maiden name), age, city of residence, date of death, surviving family members, and details regarding the visitation, funeral service, and burial.

Step 2: Choose Your Accompanying Image

Select a high-resolution photograph. For print editions, ensure the photo has good contrast and is not blurry. Close-up portraits work best. The system will automatically crop photos to standard column widths.

Step 3: Complete Funeral Home Verification

Obtain the contact information, physical address, and phone number of the funeral home or crematory handling the arrangements. You will need to input these details during the submission process.

Step 4: Submit via the Portal

Access the official Florida Times-Union Milestones portal. Upload your text and photo, select the run dates (Sunday is the most widely read print day but costs more), and preview the layout.

Step 5: Review Proof and Submit Payment

Carefully check the preview for spelling errors in names, dates, and times. Once submitted and paid, the obituaries department will contact the funeral home to verify the details. You will receive a email confirmation once the notice is approved for print and digital publication.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Times-Union Obituaries

How long does it take for an obituary to appear online and in print?

For print publication, submissions must be finalized, verified, and paid for by 2:00 PM EST on the business day prior to the requested run date. For the high-volume Sunday edition, the deadline is typically Friday afternoon. Digital-only notices can go live on Legacy.com within 24 to 48 hours of verification by the obituary team.

Can I submit an obituary for someone who passed away outside of Florida?

Yes. As long as you can provide a valid death certificate or verification from an out-of-state funeral home, the Florida Times-Union will publish the notice. This is a common practice for former Jacksonville residents who retired elsewhere or for families who want to notify friends still living in Northeast Florida.

How do I correct a spelling error in an obituary that has already been published?

If the obituary is online, corrections can be made quickly by contacting the Florida Times-Union obituaries department or the funeral home that submitted the notice. Online updates generally reflect on Legacy.com within a few hours. If the error was printed in the physical newspaper, a correction notice must be purchased and scheduled for a subsequent print edition.

Where can I find free obituary search options for Duval County?

The Jacksonville Public Library offers free access to NewsBank and other historical lookup databases for all library cardholders. Additionally, the Duval County Clerk of Courts online portal allows searches of probate and estate records, which frequently contain death certificates and copy notices of publication for estate creditors.

Are older obituaries from the 1970s and 1980s searchable online?

Most obituaries from the 1970s and 1980s are not searchable via simple web search engines. You will need to access historical databases like GenealogyBank, use the Jacksonville Public Library's microfilm archives, or utilize remote research request services offered by local genealogical societies.

For immediate assistance with a recent loss or to schedule a service notice, reach out to your local Northeast Florida funeral director. They can manage the verification process on your behalf to ensure your loved one's memorial is recorded accurately and printed without delay.