Finding news and record obituaries today shouldn’t feel like a digital scavenger hunt. When you’re looking for a neighbor, an old coworker, or a distant relative in the Greensboro area, you want the facts—and you want them fast. Honestly, local news has changed so much that even people who grew up reading the paper every morning sometimes get lost in the transition to online archives and Legacy.com portals.
It’s about more than just a name and a date. These notices are basically the final story of a life lived in the Triad. Whether it's a long-form tribute to a civil rights icon or a short notice for a quiet gardener from Climax, the Greensboro News & Record remains the primary record for Guilford County.
Why Finding News and Record Obituaries Today Is Different Now
The way we consume local death notices has shifted. You used to just walk to the end of the driveway, grab the damp paper, and flip to the back of the first section. Now? It’s a mix of paywalls, digital partnerships, and funeral home websites.
If you’re searching for someone specific today, January 17, 2026, you’re likely going to land on a Legacy-powered page. That's because the News & Record—like most modern dailies—outsources the hosting of their "Life Tributes."
The Real-Time Feed
Most people think obituaries only appear once. Not true. Many families choose to run them for several days, especially if there’s a weekend service planned at places like Forbis & Dick or Hanes-Lineberry. If you missed the print edition, the online database is updated constantly.
Take a look at today's schedule. On Saturday, January 17, 2026, the community is gathering for services like the one for Willena Cannon at Genesis Baptist Church. Willena was a powerhouse—a survivor of the 1979 Greensboro Massacre and a lifelong activist. Her obituary isn't just a notice; it’s a history lesson on North Carolina’s civil rights struggle. That’s the kind of depth you find in these records.
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How to Navigate the Greensboro Death Notices
Searching for news and record obituaries today requires a bit of strategy if you don't want to get buried in unrelated results.
- Use the "Last 24 Hours" Filter: Most search engines will give you results from three years ago if you aren't careful. On the News & Record obituary site, look for the date range toggle.
- Check Maiden Names: In North Carolina records, women are often listed with their maiden names in parentheses. If "Mary Smith" isn't showing up, try "Mary (Jones) Smith."
- Location Keywords: Sometimes a person lived in High Point or Oak Ridge but their notice is filed under Greensboro because that's where the paper is based. Use "Guilford County" as a broader search term.
I’ve noticed that people often forget about the "Guest Book" feature. It’s kinda the digital version of standing in a receiving line. You can see who else has checked in, which sometimes helps you verify you’ve found the right person if the name is common, like Smith or Williams.
Submiting a Notice: The Practical Side
If you’re on the other side of this—the one having to write and post a notice—know that it isn't cheap. A basic obituary in the News & Record can start around $175, but once you add a photo and a few paragraphs of "Life Story," you're easily looking at $300 to $600.
Most local funeral homes, like George Brothers or Triad Cremation, will handle the submission for you. They have the templates ready. But you can also do it yourself via the Legacy "Obit-Desk."
Pro tip: Write the text in a Word doc first. Every line costs money. Commas are free, but words are not. Avoid "In today's landscape" or flowery filler. Stick to the schools, the jobs, and the people they loved.
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Hidden Resources for Greensboro Ancestry
If you're looking for older news and record obituaries today for genealogy, the modern website won't help you much beyond the last couple of years. For the deep stuff, you have to go to the Greensboro Public Library.
They maintain the "Greensboro Daily News" archives, which go back over a century. You can access these via GenealogyBank if you have a library card. It’s pretty wild to see how obituaries have changed. In the 1940s, they were often just three lines. Today, they are full-page biographies.
The City of Greensboro also maintains a Burial Index for municipal cemeteries like Forest Lawn and Maplewood. If you can’t find a newspaper notice, checking the cemetery record is a solid "Plan B."
What Most People Get Wrong About Online Records
One big misconception is that if it’s not in the News & Record, it didn't happen.
Greensboro is a "multi-source" town now. Some families skip the major paper entirely because of the cost and just post on the funeral home’s website or a smaller publication like Yes! Weekly.
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If you are searching for news and record obituaries today and coming up empty:
- Search the name + "funeral home Greensboro."
- Check the Winston-Salem Journal (sometimes they cross-post).
- Look for Facebook memorial pages.
Honestly, the "official" record is still the paper of record, but the community record is scattered all over the place.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you need to find a specific notice right now, follow this sequence:
- Start at the official News & Record Legacy portal. It is the most "up-to-date" source for January 2026.
- Cross-reference with the funeral home. If you know the service is at Hanes-Lineberry, go straight to their site; they often post the full text before it even hits the paper.
- Save a digital copy. Print-to-PDF is your friend. Online obituaries are "permanent," but links break and websites get redesigned.
- Check for "Homegoing Services." In the Greensboro African American community, notices are frequently titled as "Homegoings" and may include different details than a standard "Death Notice."
Finding the right information during a time of grief is stressful enough. Stick to these verified local sources, and you'll find what you're looking for without the headache.