Finding information about someone who passed away in California's capital shouldn't feel like a chore. Honestly, if you’re looking for sacramento bee obits today, you're likely navigating a difficult time or trying to reconnect with the history of a local family. The Sacramento Bee has been the primary record-keeper for the region since 1857, and while the way we read these notices has shifted from ink-stained fingers to smartphone screens, the importance of these tributes hasn't changed a bit.
How to Find Sacramento Bee Obits Today Without the Hassle
Most people start their search on the main Sacramento Bee website, but there's a trick to it. The paper partners with Legacy.com to host its digital archives. If you go directly to the "Obituaries" tab on SacBee.com, you’ll be redirected to a searchable database that is updated in real-time.
For Thursday, January 15, 2026, the listings include several long-time residents who shaped the community. For example, Yolanda "Lonnie" Kohn passed away recently on January 11th after a long battle with health issues; her service is being held at St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center. Another notice published today is for Barbara Ruth, a Sacramento native born in 1940, who passed away in Granite Bay surrounded by her family.
You’ve basically got three ways to look these up:
- The Daily Feed: The "Today" section on the Legacy portal shows everyone published in the last 24 hours.
- The Name Search: Use the search bar for specific last names. Kinda obvious, but it’s the fastest way if you have a specific person in mind.
- The Past Week: You can filter by "Last 7 Days" if you missed the physical paper earlier in the week.
What if the name isn't there?
It’s important to remember that obituaries aren't automatic. They are paid notices placed by families or funeral homes. Sometimes a family chooses a private service or skips the newspaper notice entirely. If you don't see a name in the sacramento bee obits today feed, check the local funeral home websites directly. Many Sacramento-area homes like East Lawn, W.F. Gormley & Sons, or Sierra View Funeral Chapel post their own "Tribute Walls" before the newspaper notice even goes live.
🔗 Read more: Tornado in New Mexico Today: Why These Winter Twisters are Messing with the Maps
Placing an Obituary: Deadlines and Costs in 2026
If you’re the one responsible for writing the tribute, the process is a bit different than it used to be. You can still call the Bee’s obituary desk, but most people use the online intake tool.
The cost isn't fixed. It varies wildly based on how much you write and whether you include a photo. As of early 2026, a basic notice in The Sacramento Bee starts at roughly $221.15. That sounds like a lot for a few lines of text, but that price includes the print publication and a permanent digital memorial page where people can leave "virtual candles" or share memories.
Tips for writing a good one:
- Double-check the spellings. Seriously. Names of grandkids or distant cousins are where the most mistakes happen.
- Focus on the life, not just the death. Doris Olson, a beloved local educator who recently passed at age 99, had a beautiful tribute that mentioned her love for camping in the Sierras and her work in special education. Those details make a notice feel human.
- Include service info clearly. If the funeral is at St. Marks or a local park, make sure the date and time are at the very top or very bottom so people don't miss them.
Searching the Archives for Genealogy or Research
Maybe you aren't looking for someone who passed this week. Maybe you're digging into family history. The Sacramento Bee archives are a goldmine for this.
📖 Related: Who Are the US Senators From South Carolina: A No-Nonsense Breakdown
For notices between 1970 and 1993, the Sacramento County Public Library has a massive card index on microfilm. If you're looking for something digital, the Ancestry.com "U.S. Obituary Collection" covers the Bee from about 1930 to the current year. Legacy also maintains a digital archive for the paper that goes back to late 2001.
Searching these older records usually requires a subscription, but if you're a local resident, you can often access these databases for free using your Sacramento Public Library card through their "Research & Learn" portal.
The Cultural Impact of Local Notices
We often think of obituaries as just "news," but they are really the heartbeat of the city. When a local figure like former congressman Doug LaMalfa passed away earlier this month, the Bee provided not just a notice, but a deep look at his impact on Northern California. The same goes for local legends like the late musician Mick Martin or "Big Al" Sams.
Even for those who weren't public figures, these stories matter. Reading about a "vivacious" woman like Shirley Cosca, who passed at 91 surrounded by her five children, reminds us of the generations that built this city.
✨ Don't miss: Erika Kirk Speaking Tonight: Why the Turning Point CEO Is Changing the Playbook
Why the digital version is better
While there is something nostalgic about the physical Sunday paper, the online sacramento bee obits today pages offer things print can't. You can see video tributes, scroll through dozens of photos, and read "Guest Book" entries from people who moved away from Sacramento decades ago but still want to pay their respects.
Practical Steps for Your Search
If you need to find a specific notice right now, follow these steps to save time:
- Go to the Legacy Sacramento Bee portal. This is more reliable than a generic Google search which might lead you to "obituary scraper" sites that are full of ads and incorrect info.
- Check by First and Last Name. If the name is common, like "Mary Brown," add the city (Carmichael, Roseville, etc.) to the filter.
- Contact the Funeral Home. If you know where the service is being held, their website is usually the most up-to-date source for "today's" information before the newspaper's layout is finalized.
- Use the Library. For anything older than 20 years, don't pay for individual archives. Use the Sacramento Public Library's digital resources to find old clippings for free.
Understanding the legacy of those who lived in the 916 and surrounding areas is a way to stay connected to the community. Whether you're looking for a friend or documenting a family tree, these records serve as a permanent map of the lives that made Sacramento what it is today.