Honestly, finding phila inq obits today isn't as straightforward as it used to be back when you just picked up a thick stack of newsprint from the driveway. You probably think you can just hop onto the homepage and see a neat list. It's actually a bit of a maze.
The Philadelphia Inquirer has changed. A lot. Between the paywalls, the Legacy.com partnerships, and the weird way digital editions are indexed, people get lost. I see it all the time. Someone is looking for a cousin’s service details or trying to track down a neighbor’s passing, and they end up clicking in circles.
The Reality of phila inq obits today
If you are looking for an obituary published on Saturday, January 17, 2026, you're likely going to see names like Steven R. Eisenberg or Vicki Lynn Curran. These aren't just names; they're stories of people who shaped the city. Eisenberg, for instance, was a fixture in the local restaurant scene and eventually owned the Terrace Tavern. If you just search "obits," you might miss the fact that his "Celebration of Life" is happening tomorrow, Sunday, January 18th, at the JCC of LBI.
That’s the thing about local obituaries. They aren't just death notices. They are the final record of who we were.
Why the digital search feels broken
The Inquirer uses a hybrid system. You have the main Inquirer.com site, which focuses on "Notable Obituaries"—think famous prosecutors like Joseph McGettigan III or legendary activists. Then you have the paid "Death Notices," which are usually handled through Legacy.com.
Most people get frustrated because the search bar on the main news site doesn't always talk to the database on the obituary side. It’s annoying. You’ve got to know which door to walk through.
If you want the full list for today, you basically have two options:
- Go directly to the Inquirer’s affiliate page on Legacy.
- Use the "e-Edition," which is a digital replica of the actual paper.
The e-Edition is actually the best way to see the "traditional" layout, but it usually requires a Premium Digital Access subscription. And yeah, people on Reddit are currently complaining that digital access is creeping up toward $40 a month. That’s a lot of money just to see who passed away.
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Better Ways to Find the Info for Free
You don't always have to pay. Seriously. If you’re a Philly resident, your library card is basically a magic wand. The Free Library of Philadelphia provides access to the Philadelphia Inquirer databases via NewsBank.
It takes an extra thirty seconds. You log in, go to "Databases," and boom—you can read the full text of today's paper without the paywall hitting you in the face.
What to look for in a 2026 obituary
The style is shifting. Obituaries today are getting more personal, less formal. You'll see mention of "fur moms" or very specific requests for donations to places like the Sympathy Store or local Philadelphia food banks.
Check the dates carefully. An obit published today, January 17, might be for someone who passed away a week ago, like Alice N. Bowen, who died on January 9th. The lag time is usually 5 to 10 days depending on when the family gets the service details finalized.
Hidden Gems in the Archives
If you’re doing genealogy, the "today" part of your search is just the tip of the iceberg. The Inquirer archives go back over 150 years. I’ve spent hours digging through them. It’s wild to see how the language of grief has changed. In the early 1900s, everything was initials and formal addresses. Today, we get anecdotes about Steven Eisenberg being "affectionately known as Izzy" and how he’d be the first to tell you he was the best.
- Pro tip: Search by the funeral home name if the person's name is common. Names like McConaghy Funeral Home or Chadwick & McKinney handle a huge portion of the Main Line and Delco notices.
- Another trick: If the Inquirer paywall is being stubborn and you don't have a library card handy, check the funeral home’s direct website. Most homes like Guckin Funeral Home or Laurel Hill post the full text for free on their own "Recent Obituaries" pages before it even hits the paper.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you need to find someone right now, don't just keep refreshing the main news page.
First, head straight to the Legacy.com Philadelphia Inquirer landing page. It’s updated in real-time. Second, if you’re looking for a service time, check the "Celebration of Life" sections specifically. Many families are moving away from traditional viewings at churches and opting for community centers or even local parks.
Lastly, if you're trying to save a copy for a scrapbook, don't just take a screenshot of the website. The formatting usually looks terrible. Use the "Print to PDF" function on the e-Edition if you have access, or visit a local branch of the Free Library to get a clean scan from their digital terminals. It’ll look much better in ten years when you're looking back at it.