If you’re the type of person who flips straight to the back of the paper before even glancing at the front-page scandals, you aren't alone. There is something fundamentally human about it. Today's obituaries in The Times act as a final curtain call for lives that, quite frankly, often shaped the world more than the politicians hogging the headlines.
It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026. While the world spins on, the Register and Obituary pages today offer a quiet, reflective pause. We’re seeing a mix of high-church figures, artists who redefined their mediums, and those "Other Lives" entries that prove you don't need a title to leave a massive crater when you're gone.
A Look at Today's Notable Departures
The Times has always had a "vibe" when it comes to who they pick. It’s not just about being famous; it’s about having a story that reads like a novel. Today is no different.
Take, for instance, the coverage surrounding figures like Beatriz González. While she passed recently, her legacy is being picked apart today by critics and historians alike. She wasn’t just a painter. She was a witness. Her work dealt with Colombian power and conflict for over sixty years. When people look back at the art of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, her name is the one that keeps popping up.
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Then you have the more "local" but equally impactful figures like Sheila Bernette. If you grew up with British comedy, her face is probably etched into your memory. She was one of those stalwarts of the stage and screen who seemed to be in everything. She was 90. That's a lot of decades of making people laugh.
The Spiritual and the Secular
We also saw a heavy lean toward the ecclesiastical today. The Rt Revd H. W. (Harry) Moore and The Revd Sally Muggeridge both received significant space. Moore was known as a "down-to-earth northerner," which is basically code for someone who didn't have time for the fluff of high-church politics but cared deeply about people.
Muggeridge, on the other hand, was a fascinating hybrid: a high-flying business leader and charity CEO who eventually dedicated herself to the Church of England. It’s that kind of multi-hyphenate life that today's obituaries in The Times loves to highlight.
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Why the "Other Lives" Section is Actually the Best Part
Honestly, the big names are fine, but the "Other Lives" or the shorter notices are where the real juice is.
- Paul MacLeavy: This one is brilliant. He was a drainage engineer who got made redundant in the 90s and decided, "You know what? I'm going to be a professional magician." He died at 78. Imagine the career shift! From pipes to sleight of hand.
- Leon Bailey: Not the footballer, but a man whose life story in the notices today reminds us of the quiet impact of community service.
- Dr. Aggrey Burke: This is a heavier one. A consultant psychiatrist who blew the whistle on racist admission policies at London medical schools. He changed the face of British medicine from the inside.
It’s easy to think of obituaries as just a list of the dead. They aren't. They’re a map of where we’ve been.
Making Sense of Today's Obituaries in The Times
You might be wondering why some people get a full-page spread while others get three lines. It’s a mix of editorial discretion and, let’s be real, who the family manages to contact. The Times obits are traditionally "unpaid," meaning the editorial team chooses who to feature based on historical significance or a particularly gripping life story.
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For those looking for a specific family member or friend, the Death Notices section is where you’ll find the paid announcements. Today, January 18, shows a high volume of notices from across the UK, including many from London and the home counties.
Recent Trends in Obit Writing
I’ve noticed a shift lately. The tone is getting less "stiff upper lip" and a bit more personal. You see it in the mention of hobbies—like MacLeavy’s love for a "long conversation with friends" or Daniel Cozens’ talent for painting landscapes in oils.
- Increased Focus on Whistleblowers: Like Dr. Burke, there’s a clear editorial push to honor those who challenged the status quo.
- The Rise of the Second Career: More obits are featuring people who completely reinvented themselves after 50.
- The "Ordinary" Extraordinary: There is a growing appreciation for the "Other Lives" style of storytelling.
Actionable Insights for Readers
If you are following today's obituaries in The Times for research or personal reasons, here are a few ways to get the most out of the archive:
- Check the Archive: If you missed the physical paper, the digital archive (The Times Past) is searchable by name and date. It's an incredible resource for genealogists.
- Look Beyond the Name: Read the "Register" section. It often contains updates on memorial services and bequests that give more context to a person's final wishes.
- Contribute to 'Other Lives': If you knew someone who had an incredible story but wasn't a "celebrity," you can often submit a short piece to the Guardian or local supplements that The Times editors keep an eye on.
Reading about the end of a life reminds us to do something with ours. Whether it’s becoming a drainage engineer-turned-magician or just being a "down-to-earth" presence in your town, the legacy starts now.
To stay updated on these stories as they break, you can set up Google Alerts for specific names or broad terms like "The Times Obituaries 2026." This ensures you never miss a tribute to the people who built the world we’re currently living in.