Losing someone in the Mid-Columbia region usually means one of your first stops is a search for tri cities herald obits. It’s a reflex. Whether you're looking for a service time at Einan’s or just trying to remember where a distant cousin went to high school, that digital or newsprint record is the "source of truth" for Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland.
But honestly? People mess this up all the time. They assume a quick Google search will give them everything from 1985 to this morning. It won't. The way we track deaths in the Tri-Cities has changed a lot, especially with the recent merger of major local funeral homes like Hillcrest and Einan’s.
If you’re hunting for a specific name or trying to place an announcement yourself, you’ve got to navigate a mix of newspaper paywalls, library spreadsheets, and third-party databases. It’s kinda messy.
The Reality of Searching for Tri Cities Herald Obits Today
The Tri-Cities Herald doesn't just keep a big, free filing cabinet of every person who has passed away. Most current notices are hosted through Legacy, which is basically the industry standard now. If the person passed away in the last few days—say, Jan 14 or 15, 2026—you’ll likely see them right at the top of the "Recent" section.
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Names like Billy Todd or Arleen Hedvik Silliman are currently visible because their families or funeral homes just posted them. But here’s the kicker: if you’re looking for someone from 2021 or 2022, you might hit a wall.
Where the Old Records Actually Hide
Forget the newspaper’s website for a second if you're doing genealogy. The Mid-Columbia Libraries are the real heroes here. They maintain a massive downloadable Excel file that covers death listings from 1905 all the way to 2020.
- 1905–2020: Use the Mid-Columbia Libraries index.
- 2002–Present: The Tri-City Herald’s online archive is searchable but sometimes requires a subscription.
- Today: Go straight to the "Death Notices" section on the Herald’s main site for a quick list of names without the full life story.
It’s a weird split. You have "Obituaries" (the long, paid stories) and "Death Notices" (the short, factual bits). Many people check the latter first just to confirm a date.
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Why Placement Costs So Much (and How to Do It)
If you've never had to buy an ad, the price of tri cities herald obits will probably shock you. It isn't cheap. We’re talking about a starting price around $170 for a basic package, and it scales up fast.
Basically, you pay for the space. If you want a photo (which everyone does), that’s extra. If you want to list twenty grandkids, that’s extra. I've seen families spend $500 or more just to make sure the tribute looks "right."
The Submission Process
Most people let the funeral home handle it. Mueller’s or Einan’s will usually ask if you want it in the Herald. They have a direct portal. If you do it yourself:
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- Deadlines: Usually 12:00 PM the day before you want it to run (Tuesday-Friday).
- Verification: You can't just submit a fake one. They’ll check with the funeral home or ask for a death certificate.
- Digital vs. Print: In 2026, most packages include a "permanent" online guestbook, which is actually the most valuable part because it's where people post photos and memories.
Common Mistakes in Local Searches
A big one? Searching the wrong city. People search for "Pasco obituaries" and get frustrated when they don't see anything. The Herald covers the whole basin. Also, don't forget the Kennewick Courier Reporter archives if you're looking for someone from the early 20th century.
Another thing—names get misspelled constantly. If "John Smith" doesn't show up, try just "Smith" and filter by the date of death. The search engines on these newspaper sites can be a bit finicky.
Moving Forward With Your Search
If you are looking for a recent record, start with the Tri-City Herald "Death Notices" page to verify the date. For a full tribute, head to the Legacy-affiliated page. If you're doing deep family research, skip the news site entirely and go to the Mid-Columbia Libraries’ local history section.
For those needing to place an obituary today, call the Herald’s support team at 855-200-8529 or check if your funeral director has already initiated the draft. It saves a lot of headache during a time when you definitely don't need more of it.
The best next step is to gather the full legal name, date of birth, and a high-resolution photo before you start the online submission process. This prevents the "timed out" errors that happen when you're digging through old albums while the browser window is open. Just get your ducks in a row first.