Boston Globe Obits by Towns: Your Guide to Finding Local Death Notices

Many people in Massachusetts search for boston globe obits by towns to find news about loved ones or community members who have passed away. The Boston Globe, a trusted newspaper in New England, publishes both staff-written obituaries and family-submitted death notices. These often include details tied to specific towns, helping locals stay connected.

This guide explains the difference between types of notices, shows you where to look for today’s obits in the boston globe by towns, and offers tips for searching boston globe obits by location. Whether you’re in Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, or smaller communities, you’ll find clear steps to get the information you need.

These maps highlight Boston and surrounding Massachusetts towns where many death notices originate.

History of the Boston Globe and Its Role in Obituaries

The Boston Globe started in 1872 as a daily newspaper. It quickly became a key source for local news, including community announcements like births, marriages, and deaths. Over time, obituaries grew from simple notices to detailed stories about people’s lives.

In the early days, death notices appeared in print classified sections. Families paid to list basic facts: name, age, town, and funeral details. Today, the Globe continues this tradition online. Staff writers create longer obituaries for notable people, while boston globe death notices by location come from families or funeral homes.

During events like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Globe printed extra pages of notices—up to 21 in one Sunday edition—to honor those lost. This shows how the paper supports communities in tough times.

The Globe’s ownership changed in 2013 when John Henry, owner of the Boston Red Sox, bought it. This kept it focused on strong local coverage, including boston globe town obituaries.

Understanding Obituaries vs. Death Notices

People often mix up terms, but they differ:

• Death Notices: Short, paid announcements from families or funeral homes. They include name, town of residence, age, funeral info, and sometimes a photo. These appear daily and help locals find services quickly.
• Obituaries: Longer pieces written by Globe journalists. They tell life stories, achievements, and family details. These cover prominent people or those with interesting backgrounds.

For most searches like boston globe obits by town and city or boston globe obits by cities, you’ll find death notices. They organize better by location.

Quote from Globe staff: “Obituaries capture lives; death notices inform the community.”

How to Find Boston Globe Obits by Towns Today

The main spot for recent notices is through Legacy.com, partnered with the Boston Globe.

Visit the official obituaries section at Boston Globe Metro Obituaries. This lists staff-written pieces, often with ties to local areas.

For boston globe obits today by location and town-specific searches:

1. Go to Legacy.com’s Boston Globe page.
2. Use the location filter to browse boston globe obituary by towns.
3. Select a Massachusetts town or city for lists of recent death notices.

This makes it easy to check today’s obits in the boston globe by towns without scrolling through everything.

Examples of Boston Globe obituary pages from past editions, showing dense listings during high-volume periods.

Many notices mention towns like Quincy, Waltham, or Newton. This helps friends and neighbors send condolences or attend services.

What Is the Difference Between Obituaries and Death Notices in the Boston Globe?

Obituaries are longer stories written by Boston Globe staff journalists. They highlight a person’s life, achievements, and impact. The Globe publishes these free of charge for select individuals, based on editorial discretion.

Death notices are shorter, paid announcements submitted by families or funeral homes. They include basic info like name, age, town, funeral details, and often a photo.

Most searches for today’s obits in the boston globe by towns lead to death notices.

How Do I Submit a Death Notice to the Boston Globe?

Contact a funeral home (they usually handle it) or submit directly via the Globe’s ad portal.

• Deadline: 5 p.m. daily for next-day publication (earlier on holidays).
• Cost: Varies by length, photo, and days run—check current boston globe obituary cost on their site.
• Phone: 617-929-1500 for questions.

Notices appear in print and online at boston globe.com/obituaries linked sections.

Searching Historical Boston Globe Obits by Location

For older records, use the Boston Public Library’s free database.

The BPL Obituary Database indexes notices from the Boston Globe, Herald, and others from 1932–1941 and 1953–2010.

Search by:

• Name
• Town of death or residence
• Date range

It’s great for family history. Enter a town to see past boston globe. obits from that area.

Limitations: It indexes, not full text. For recent years or full stories, stick to Legacy.com or Globe archives (may need subscription).

Similar interfaces for library research tools like the BPL database.

Why Town-Specific Searches Matter in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has over 350 towns and cities, each with strong community ties. Searching boston globe obits by location lets you focus on your area.

Examples:

• Residents in Somerville check for local passings.
• Families in Cape Cod towns look during summer.
• Funeral homes submit notices tied to hometowns.

Statistics show thousands of death notices yearly in the Globe. In 2020, volumes spiked due to the pandemic, filling many pages.

This geographic focus helps during grief. Knowing about a neighbor’s loss lets you offer support, like meals or cards. For tips on supporting families, see how to balance family and work life or finding peace in difficult times.

Costs and How to Submit a Death Notice

Submitting a notice costs money—rates vary by length and photo. Check the Globe’s site for current boston globe obituary cost.

Steps:

1. Contact a funeral home (they often handle it).
2. Or submit directly via Legacy.com.
3. Include town for proper listing.

Deadlines are early afternoon for next-day print.

Tips for Effective Searching

Follow these to find what you need fast:

• Use exact town names (e.g., “Brookline” not “near Boston”).
• Check both Legacy.com and Globe sites.
• For very recent, look at the print edition or boston globe.com/obituaries.
• Sign up for alerts if available.

If you have no luck, call Globe customer service or the local library.

Real-Life Examples of Community Impact

Obituaries connect people. One notable case: A daughter’s honest notice went viral, sparking talks about family ties.

During tragedies, like the Boston Marathon bombing, Globe obits honored victims with town details.

Another: Philanthropist Jack Connors’ obituary highlighted his Brookline home and Boston contributions.

These stories show how boston globe obits by towns preserve local history.

FAQs About Boston Globe Obits by Towns

Can I Search for Today’s Obits in the Boston Globe by Towns?

Yes! On Legacy.com:

• Filter by publish date (e.g., today or yesterday).
• Combine with location for boston globe obituary by towns.

New notices update daily.

Why Do Some Notices List Multiple Towns?

Families can include up to 5 free locations (towns, cities, states). This helps reach broader communities, like former residences.

What If I Can’t Find a Specific Notice?

• Double-check spelling and date range.
• Try the person’s full name or maiden name.
• Contact Globe customer service or your local library.
• For historical reasons, email ask@bpl.org for help with the BPL database.

Is There a Guest Book for Every Notice?

Yes, most include an online guest book on Legacy¹.com for condolences, lasting one year.

In summary, searching boston globe obits by towns is straightforward with Legacy.com for recent death notices by location and the Globe site for featured obituaries. These tools help Massachusetts communities stay connected during times of loss.

Are Boston Globe Death Notices Free to View Online?

Yes, most recent boston globe town obituaries and death notices are free on Legacy.com. Some older archived full-text obituaries may require a subscription or library access.

Guest books for signing condolences are open for one year, with renewal options.

How Far Back Do Online Boston Globe Obits by Cities Go?

• Recent death notices: Typically the past year or more on Legacy.com.
• Staff obituaries: Available on the Globe site for current and recent ones.
• Historical: Use the Boston Public Library Obituary Database for indexed entries from Boston Globe (and others) from 1932–1941 and 1953–2010. This is great for boston globe obits by town and city in older records.

Conclusion: Easy Access to Boston Globe Obits by Towns

Searching boston globe obits by towns keeps you informed about your community. Use the Globe’s official page for featured stories and Legacy.com for town-filtered death notices. For older records, the BPL database helps with research.

These tools honor lives and support families in Massachusetts. Stay connected and compassionate.

Have you recently used these resources to find a local notice²? What town are you searching for today?

References

1. Boston Public Library Obituary Database – Ideal for genealogists, historians, and researchers needing historical indexed notices by town from 1932–2010. ↩︎
2. Boston Globe Metro Obituaries – Primary source for current staff-written obituaries; best for local Boston and Massachusetts residents seeking up-to-date community news. ↩︎