Finding a specific tribute in a sea of digital noise feels like looking for a needle in a haystack, especially when you’re dealing with the SouthCoast area. You’ve probably been there—scrolling through endless pages, clicking on broken links, or hitting paywalls when all you want to do is pay your respects or check a service time. Honestly, the way we access The Standard Times obituaries has changed so much in the last few years that even the most tech-savvy locals get a bit turned around.
It isn't just about reading a name anymore. It's about a community’s history. New Bedford and the surrounding towns like Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Mattapoisett have this deep, interconnected web of families. When someone passes, that notice in the paper—or now, the digital version—is the official record of a life lived. But where do you actually find them without losing your mind?
The Digital Shift: Where Are They Now?
Most people think you just head over to the physical newspaper stand, but let’s be real, who’s doing that on a Tuesday morning? Most of the action happens at SouthCoastToday, which is the digital arm of the paper. However, here is the kicker: the search bar on many local news sites is... well, it’s kinda temperamental.
If you're looking for The Standard Times obituaries, you're often better off going through Legacy.com or even specific funeral home sites. Why? Because the direct newspaper feed can sometimes lag or hide older entries behind a subscription gate. Legacy usually aggregates these daily, often including those little "Guest Book" features where you can actually leave a note for the family. It’s a bit more interactive than the old-school black-and-white print blocks we grew up with.
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Interestingly, the New Bedford Free Public Library is still a powerhouse for this stuff. They’ve got an obituary index that covers the "Standard-Times" collection from 1961 all the way to the present day. If you’re doing genealogy or looking for a great-uncle who passed in the 80s, don’t bother with Google. Send an email to the reference librarians or check their alphabetical index online. It's way more reliable for the old stuff.
Timing is Everything
People often ask me, "When does the paper actually post these?"
Generally, there’s a lag. If a death occurs on a Sunday, don't expect to see the full write-up by Monday morning. It takes time for the funeral director to coordinate with the family, write the copy, and get it over to the "Standard-Times" advertising department. Most notices hit the digital site within 24 to 48 hours of the arrangements being finalized.
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There is a distinct difference between a "death notice" and an "obituary."
A death notice is basically just the facts: name, age, date of passing, and maybe the service time. It’s short.
An obituary is the story. It's where you hear about how they loved the Red Sox or spent forty years working at the local mills.
In terms of cost, it’s not cheap. Placing a full-color obituary in The Standard Times obituaries section can run a family hundreds, sometimes even over a thousand dollars depending on the length and the number of days it runs. That is why you’ll notice some families are opting for shorter notices and then linking to a longer, free version on the funeral home’s own website. It’s a smart way to save money while still keeping the community informed.
Tips for a Better Search
If you are hitting a wall, try these "pro" moves:
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- Use Maiden Names: This is a big one. For women in the SouthCoast, especially with our deep Portuguese and French-Canadian roots, searching by the married name alone might fail you. Try the maiden name if you know it.
- Broaden the Date: Don’t just search the day they died. Search a week-long window. Sometimes the notice doesn't run until the day before the wake.
- Funeral Home Sites: If you know which home is handling the service (like Saunders-Dwyer or Perry Funeral Home), go straight to their site. Their obituaries are almost always free, more detailed, and posted faster than the newspaper.
Why This Still Matters
Some folks say obituaries are a dying art. I disagree. In a place like New Bedford, we're all about roots. These notices are the breadcrumbs for future generations. When you search for The Standard Times obituaries, you aren't just looking for a date; you’re looking for a connection. You’re seeing who survived them, where they went to school, and what kind of legacy they left behind in the SouthCoast.
The local library actually takes this so seriously that they’ve digitized massive chunks of microfilm. They know that in fifty years, someone is going to be looking for their family history, and that "Standard-Times" clipping will be the primary source.
Actionable Next Steps
If you need to find an obituary right now or are planning to submit one:
- For recent deaths: Start with the SouthCoastToday obituary page, but immediately cross-reference with the specific funeral home’s website for the most "live" information.
- For genealogical research: Use the New Bedford Free Public Library’s online index. It’s sorted by last name and will give you the exact date and page number to look for in their microfilm collection.
- If you are writing one: Keep it concise to save on costs for the print edition, but put the "full story" on a memorial website or social media page where there aren't character limits.
- Check the Guest Book: If you find the entry on Legacy.com, check the guest book early. Sometimes families take these down after a year unless someone pays to keep them "permanent," so copy any messages you want to save.
Whether you're a local checking the daily "news of the departed" or someone from across the country trying to find a piece of your past, knowing how to navigate the modern version of the local paper's archives makes all the difference. It's a bit of a maze, but the information is there if you know where to click.