How Much Does an Obituary Cost? (2026 Guide)

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Michael R. | 24. January 2026

Creating an obituary during a difficult time shouldn't be complicated—or financially surprising. Newspaper obituary prices can range from under $100 in small towns to well over $2,000 in major metro papers, often with extra fees for photos, Sunday publication, and online posting.

This guide explains what most U.S. newspapers charge, what drives the cost, and how to compare your options. You'll also see practical ways to reduce expenses—and affordable online alternatives that can reach family anywhere.

Quick Glossary: Obituary vs. Death Notice (and Related Terms)

Newspapers and funeral homes may use slightly different terms. Knowing the difference helps you compare prices and avoid surprises:

  • "Obituary" is often longer and biographical.
  • "Death notice" is usually brief and factual; some papers price them differently.

Average Newspaper Obituary Costs in 2026 (U.S.)

Typical price ranges by newspaper size

Newspaper type Typical price range (USD) What's usually included
Small-town newspapers $50–$200 Short notice; limited photo options; may include free online posting
Mid-size regional papers $200–$500 More circulation; add-ons often increase total
Major metro newspapers $400–$1,000 Higher per-line rates; stricter formats/deadlines
Top-tier metros (e.g., NYC, LA) $800–$2,000+ Premium rates; photos and placement can be costly

Why the "final total" is often higher than the first quote

  • Many papers charge by the line, inch, or word—and line definitions vary.
  • Minimum charges (often $85–$175) are common even for brief notices.
  • Photos can add $50–$250 depending on the publication and whether color is requested.
  • Sunday editions and premium placement can add 20–50% (or more).
  • Print + online bundles may be required, with online fees adding $50–$150.

What Affects Obituary Pricing (and How to Estimate Your Cost)

1) Length (word count / lines / inches)

Most newspapers price obituaries by the line, inch, or word. Typical per-line pricing falls between $5–$15, though large metro papers can charge $50+ per line. An "inch" typically means about 10–14 lines of text. Keep in mind that what counts as a "line" varies by publication—some use very small fonts with only 25–30 characters per line.

2) Photos (black-and-white vs. color)

  • B&W photo fees typically range from $50–$200.
  • Color photos can add 50–100% to the base photo fee.
  • Multiple photos may be unavailable or priced as separate add-ons at each paper.
  • Photos also increase the total "lines" count, adding to the base text charge.

3) Day of week and deadlines

Sunday publication frequently costs more due to higher readership. Saturday editions may also carry premiums at some papers. Deadlines can be tight—often 1–2 days before publication—so factor in time when coordinating service details.

4) Print + online bundles

Some newspapers require print + online posting (often via a partner like Legacy.com). Ask what's included, how long the online posting stays up, and whether there's a separate digital-only option at a lower price.

Quick cost estimate formula

Estimated Cost = (Number of lines × Per-line rate) + Photo fee + Premiums (Sunday/online)

Example:

  • 15 lines × $10/line = $150
  • 1 B&W photo = $100
  • Online posting fee = $110
  • Sunday premium (+25%) = $90
  • Estimated total: $450

Tip: If you're unsure how many lines your draft will be, ask the newspaper to format it and confirm the exact line count before you approve the charge. Many papers offer a preview before payment.

Pricing Methodology (How This Guide Was Researched)

How we collected these prices (as of January 2026)

  • Reference notice: 12–15 lines of text (approximately 150 words)
  • Photo: 1 black & white photo
  • Day: Weekday (Mon–Fri)
  • Package: Print + online where required
  • Sources: Official newspaper obituary placement pages, published rate cards, and Legacy.com partner portals. When pricing isn't publicly available, we list "Quote required."
  • Currency: USD

Prices change frequently. Always confirm final pricing with the newspaper before submitting.

U.S. Newspaper Obituary Prices: 14 Major Publications Compared (January 2026)

The table below compares starting prices and common fee structures at major U.S. newspapers. Use it to sanity-check quotes and understand what drives the total cost.

Newspaper Location Starting price (USD)* Per line / word Photo fee Source (as of Jan 2026)
The New York Times New York, NY ~$263 (first 4 lines) ~$50–52/line after ~$60+ Legacy.com/NYT
Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, CA ~$205–$400+ Varies by package ~$100+ Legacy.com/LAT
Chicago Tribune Chicago, IL $285 (small, ~11 lines) $485 (med) / $605 (large) ~$115 Chicago Tribune Ad Portal
The Washington Post Washington, DC ~$400 (2 inches) ~$100/inch after Varies WaPo Self-Service
Houston Chronicle Houston, TX ~$250–$400 ~$11.81/line + $110 online $185 Legacy.com/Houston
Boston Globe Boston, MA ~$130+ Varies by length Varies Boston Globe Ad Portal
Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, PA ~$654+ Varies Varies Legacy.com/Philly
Dallas Morning News Dallas, TX ~$175 Varies Varies Legacy.com/Dallas
San Francisco Chronicle San Francisco, CA ~$399–$498 Per-line rate; 2-col min $498 ~$170 SF Chronicle Ad Portal
Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta, GA ~$60–$375+ Varies by length ~$250 Legacy.com/AJC
The Seattle Times Seattle, WA ~$249–$447 Package-based; ~$90–100/inch Included in some packages Seattle Times Obits
The Arizona Republic Phoenix, AZ ~$85+ Varies Varies AZ Republic Obits
Miami Herald Miami, FL ~$30+ Varies by length Varies Legacy.com/Miami
Star Tribune Minneapolis, MN ~$117+ Per-line rate Varies Star Tribune Obits

*Prices as of January 2026. Contact newspapers directly for current rates. Many prices shown are starting/minimum fees; actual costs depend on length, photos, and publication day.

What to ask when you request a quote

  • Is pricing per line, per inch, or per word? What's the exact rate?
  • What counts as a "line"—how many characters?
  • Is there a minimum charge?
  • What does a photo cost (B&W vs. color)? Does it add to the line count?
  • Are Sunday/weekend rates higher? By how much?
  • Does the price include online posting? For how long?
  • What is the deadline for the edition you want?

Online Obituary Alternatives (Cost, Reach, and Features)

If newspaper pricing feels disproportionate to your needs, online options can provide more space, easier sharing, and longer visibility—often for significantly less.

Option Typical cost Reach Duration Key features
Small-town newspaper $50–$200 Local 1 day print Basic text; limited photos
Major metro newspaper $400–$2,000+ Regional 1 day print Limited text/photos; strict formats
Legacy.com (via newspaper) $100–$500 Regional + online Varies (often permanent online) Guest book; often bundled with print
Free memorial sites Free Global Often permanent Basic memorial; may include ads or upsells
obituary.design $19 (one-time) Global 1+ years Professional design, shareable link, condolence book, high-res PDF download for printing

Create Your Online Obituary for $19

Skip the newspaper markup. Design a professional, shareable obituary in minutes and reach family anywhere in the world.

  • Step-by-step guided visual designer (no design skills needed)
  • Upload multiple photos and customize the layout
  • Get a unique shareable URL for easy distribution
  • Built-in condolence/guest book for friends and family
  • Download a high-resolution PDF for printing programs or keepsakes
  • Share instantly via Facebook, WhatsApp, or email

Create Obituary →

For a deeper comparison, see: Online Obituaries vs. Newspaper: Which Is Right for You?

6 Ways to Save on Obituary Costs

  1. Keep the print version concise: Publish the essentials in the newspaper (name, dates, service info), and share the full life story online where length isn't penalized.
  2. Consider skipping the print photo: If your budget is extremely tight, omitting the photo can save $50–$250. Many families offset this by including multiple photos in an online tribute.
  3. Choose a weekday: Avoid Sunday and Saturday editions when possible—weekend premiums can add 20–50% to the base cost.
  4. Ask about online-only options: Some publications offer digital-only obituaries at a fraction of the print price.
  5. Use an online obituary platform: Share instantly with out-of-town family at a fraction of newspaper costs—services like obituary.design start at $19.
  6. Combine approaches: Place a brief newspaper notice for local reach, then create a full online tribute with unlimited photos and text for everyone else.

Need help getting started? Browse: Free Obituary Templates

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Option for Your Family

Newspaper obituary costs vary widely, and small changes—length, photos, and publication day—can quickly raise the total by hundreds of dollars. While a traditional newspaper notice may still make sense for local reach (especially for older community members who read the paper), it's no longer the only option.

If your priority is reaching family beyond your local area, an online obituary can provide more space for photos and stories, longer visibility, and instant sharing for a fraction of the price.

You can create a professional online obituary with obituary.design for $19, then share it anywhere via a unique link and download a high-resolution PDF for printing memorial programs or keepsakes.

Additional Resources

Sources (as of January 2026)