Finding a specific name in the Sun Chronicle obituaries today can be a strangely emotional experience. One minute you’re just looking for a time and place for a service, and the next, you’re hit by a wave of memories of someone who once lived right down the street in Attleboro or North Attleboro.
It's heavy.
People often think checking the obits is just for the older generation. Honestly, that’s just not true anymore. In our digital age, these records are the primary way local communities in the Tri-Boro area—including Plainville, Wrentham, and Mansfield—stay connected when life takes its final turn. But there is a lot of confusion about how to find them, what they cost, and why some names show up days later than others.
Why Finding Sun Chronicle Obituaries Today is Trickier Than You Think
If you’re looking for a specific listing right now, you’ve probably realized that "today" is a relative term in the newspaper business. The Sun Chronicle, like many local dailies, has a workflow that isn't always instant.
Most people expect a death to appear in the paper the next morning. Sometimes it does. Often, it doesn't. There are verification hurdles. Funeral homes like Duffy-Poule or Sperry-McHoul have to coordinate with the newspaper's "Life Tributes" desk. If a death happens on a Friday night, you might not see the full write-up until Monday or Tuesday because of weekend staffing and print deadlines.
Real Names and Recent Listings
For those searching on January 18, 2026, recent records have included names that reflect the deep roots of this community. We've seen listings for lifelong residents like Paul M. LaFratta, a 79-year-old North Attleboro local who passed at the Alliance Health at Maples in Wrentham. There was also Jane L. Merkle, who was a fixture in Attleboro for nearly a century before passing at 95.
These aren't just names. They are the people who worked at the old jewelry shops and taught at our local schools.
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The Digital vs. Print Divide
kinda weirdly, the "today" part of your search usually works better online than in the physical paper. The Sun Chronicle partners with Legacy.com, which means there's a rolling update of digital memorials.
But here is the catch.
A digital listing might appear as "Incomplete" for a day or two. This happens when the family wants to get the news out but hasn't finalized the service details at Dyer-Lake Funeral Home or another local spot. You'll see a name and a photo, but the text just says "Arrangements are pending."
- Pro Tip: Don't just check once. Refresh the Legacy portal around 10:00 AM. That’s usually when the overnight submissions from the funeral directors get pushed live.
What it Costs to Say Goodbye
It's a bit of a shock to some, but obituaries are paid advertisements. They aren't free news stories. In 2025 and 2026, the price for a notice in the Sun Chronicle can start around $400, and that’s just for a basic one.
If you want to include a photo? That’s extra.
Want to list all 12 grandkids by name? That’s going to cost you more in line charges.
I've talked to families who were stunned by the bill. Some choose a "Death Notice"—which is basically just the stats (name, date, service time)—to save money, while others go for the full "Life Tribute." The latter is where you get the "human" quality: the mentions of their love for the Red Sox or their legendary Sunday dinners.
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Submission Deadlines
If you’re the one writing it, remember:
- Weekday print: Usually requires submission by 2:00 PM the previous day.
- Sunday/Monday print: Often has a Friday afternoon cutoff.
- Accuracy is everything: The paper generally won't "fact-check" your cousins' names. If you spell Great-Aunt Martha's name wrong, it's staying wrong in the archives forever.
The Role of Archives in Local History
Why do Sun Chronicle obituaries today matter beyond just the funeral info?
Genealogy.
Places like GenealogyBank and the local Attleboro Public Library keep these records because they are the "first draft" of our local history. If you're looking for a name from 1985 or even 1925, the Sun Chronicle archives are basically a gold mine. They tell you who lived where, who married whom, and where people worked back when Attleboro was the "Jewelry Capital of the World."
Common Misconceptions
People think the newspaper writes the obituary.
They don't. The funeral home usually writes a draft based on a form the family fills out, or the family writes it themselves and the funeral home submits it. The newspaper acts as a host. If there is a mistake, don't call the editor first; call the funeral director. They are the ones with the portal access to make the fix.
Also, some people think every death is listed.
Nope.
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If a family doesn't want to pay for a notice or prefers privacy, there will be no public record in the paper. It's becoming more common for families to just use social media, but for the "official" record that shows up in Google and legal archives, the Sun Chronicle remains the standard for the Attleboro area.
How to Search Effectively
If you are hunting for a specific person and they aren't popping up, try these steps:
- Search by Maiden Name: Especially for older women in the community, the record might be listed under their husband's surname, but the search engine might prioritize the maiden name if it's in parentheses.
- Check Surrounding Towns: Sometimes a North Attleboro resident is listed in the Pawtucket Times or the Milford Daily News instead, depending on where they had more family ties.
- Use the "Past 30 Days" filter: Google often buries specific obituary pages under general news links. Use the search tools to narrow the time frame.
The "We Remember" Memorials
The Sun Chronicle has recently leaned into "We Remember" pages. These are more interactive than the old-school text blocks. You can upload your own photos of the deceased or light a "virtual candle."
It feels a little less "newspaper-y" and a lot more like a community bulletin board. Honestly, it’s a nice touch for those of us who can't make it to the wake because we've moved away from the 02703 zip code but still want to show support.
Final Steps for Your Search
If you are looking for Sun Chronicle obituaries today, the most direct path is checking the Sun Chronicle's official Legacy portal.
Make sure to verify the service dates twice—especially with winter weather in New England, as "today's" services can sometimes get postponed. If the name you're looking for isn't there, check the websites of Duffy-Poule, Sperry-McHoul, or Dyer-Lake directly. They often post the details on their own "tribute walls" several hours before the newspaper’s site syncs up.
Lastly, if you're writing one, keep it personal. The best obituaries aren't the ones that list the most awards; they're the ones that mention the person's secret recipe for clam chowder or their habit of never missing a Saturday morning at the farmers' market.
Actionable Insights for Readers:
- For Searchers: Check the funeral home's direct website if the newspaper listing hasn't updated by 9:00 AM.
- For Families: Ask your funeral director for a "proof" of the obituary before it goes to the Sun Chronicle to avoid expensive correction fees.
- For Historians: Use the Attleboro Public Library's digital microfilm access for any records older than 2001, as the Legacy.com archives are primarily focused on the last two decades.