Navigating local death notices shouldn't feel like a chore. If you're trying to find a recent notice in the Asheville Citizen-Times or figure out how to submit one yourself, you need clear steps without the runaround. Local newspapers act as the primary historical record for Western North Carolina, capturing personal milestones that digital-only platforms often miss.
Finding the right obituary or submitting a respectful tribute requires knowing where to look and what information you'll need ready. Whether you're researching family history or honoring someone close, here's how the process works from start to finish.
Finding Recent and Archived Obituaries
Locating a notice depends entirely on whether it was published yesterday or fifty years ago. Modern digital archives make searching straightforward, but older records require different tactics.
Searching Current Digital Records
Most recent notices appear online through the newspaper's partnership with Legacy.com or through the main Asheville Citizen-Times portal.
- Go directly to the publication's obituary portal.
- Type the full name in quotation marks for exact matching, especially if the surname is common.
- Filter by date range if you know the approximate passing week.
- Check spelling variations, as older transcripts or rushed submissions sometimes contain typos.
Accessing Historical Archives
For genealogy research or notices predating widespread internet publishing, digital search bars won't cut it. You'll need physical or microfilmed archives.
- Visit the Pack Memorial Library in downtown Asheville, which holds extensive microfilm collections of local papers.
- Utilize online historical newspaper databases like Newspapers.com, which houses digitized editions of the Citizen-Times spanning decades.
- Contact the local history room librarians directly if you're searching from out of state; they often assist with specific date lookups.
Submitting an Obituary to the Citizen-Times
If you're tasked with writing and placing a notice for a loved one, preparation makes the process much smoother during a difficult time. Funeral homes usually handle submission directly as part of their service package, but you can also submit notices independently.
Information to Gather Before You Start
Having these details organized prevents delays in publication:
- Full legal name, including maiden names and preferred nicknames.
- Dates of birth and passing.
- Surviving family members and those who preceded them in death.
- Service details, including time, date, venue address, and streaming links if applicable.
- Designated charities for memorial contributions instead of flowers.
- A high-resolution photograph, ideally vertical and clear.
Understanding Costs and Deadlines
Newspapers charge for obituaries based on word count, photo inclusion, and days run.
- Deadlines are strict, usually falling in the late afternoon for publication in the next day's print edition or digital feed.
- Ask the publication desk for a proof before final print to catch any errors in dates or survivor spellings immediately.
- Keep the tribute concise if you're watching print costs, or utilize online-only extended formats if you want to include lengthy personal stories and multiple photos.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When writing or searching for notices, small oversights can cause major headaches.
- Relying on a single spelling: People change names, or reporters mishear details. Always search with wildcard characters or partial names if nothing appears.
- Missing submission windows: Submitting past the daily cutoff delays the service announcement, which causes confusion for attendees traveling from out of town.
- Forgetting survivor context: Double-check that all immediate family members are listed correctly with accurate city-of-residence locations.
- Ignoring digital guestbooks: Many families forget to check back on online memorial pages where friends leave memories and condolences weeks after the funeral.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do obituaries stay online on the Citizen-Times site?
Most recent digital notices remain active indefinitely through partner hosting sites like Legacy.com, allowing family members to visit and leave tributes years later.
Can I include a photo in both print and digital versions?
Yes, standard packages usually include a digital photo, though print inclusion may incur an additional fee depending on the size and color formatting.
What should I do if I spot an error in a published obituary?
Contact the newspaper's customer service or obituary desk immediately. While print corrections require a new notice, digital editions can often be updated quickly.
Are all deaths in Asheville published in the Citizen-Times?
No. Publishing an obituary is optional and managed by the family or handling funeral home. If a family chooses private arrangements, no public notice will appear.
