How to Find Maine Obituaries in the Morning Sentinel

When a loved one passes, the first place many Mainers look is the Morning Sentinel Obituaries section. Whether you’re tracing family history, confirming funeral details, or simply honoring a community member, the Sentinel’s obituary pages have become a trusted local record for decades. Below is a practical guide that walks you through the print and digital routes, tips for narrowing down a search, and the steps for submitting your own notice.

Where the Morning Sentinel Publishes Obituaries

The Morning Sentinel, based in Bangor, prints a dedicated obituary column six days a week, typically appearing on page A‑2. The layout follows a predictable pattern: recent deaths are listed first, followed by a brief “In Memoriam” roundup for older entries. In addition to the daily print edition, the paper releases a weekend roundup that aggregates longer tributes and service information.

For readers who prefer a physical copy, the Sentinel’s Sunday edition also includes a printable “Full‑Month Obituary” supplement. Local libraries, senior centers, and many post offices keep copies on file for at least a year, making them handy for on‑site research.

Searching the Online Archive

Most people today turn to the Sentinel’s website for convenience. The online portal offers a searchable database that indexes every obituary published since the early 2000s. Here’s how to get started:

• Visit the Sentinel’s Obituaries page. The URL usually follows the pattern www.sentinelsource.com/obituaries.
• Enter the name. The search bar accepts first and last names, and you can use wildcards (*) for partial matches.
• Refine by date. A calendar filter lets you narrow results to a specific month or year, which is essential when dealing with common surnames.
• Review the preview. Clicking a result opens a full-screen view that includes the obituary text, funeral service details, and often a photo.

Most entries are free to read, though the site may require a brief registration to access older archives. If a particular notice is locked behind a paywall, a modest one‑time fee usually grants unlimited access for that month.

Tips for Locating a Specific Notice

Even with a robust search tool, finding the exact obituary can be tricky. These strategies can shave minutes off your hunt:

• Try alternate spellings. Names of Irish or French‑Canadian descent often appear with variations (e.g., “O’Leary” vs. “Oleary”).
• Search by known relatives. If the deceased’s full name is elusive, type the spouse’s or children’s names; many notices list surviving family members.
• Use the “In Memoriam” list. For older deaths, the daily column may only mention the name and dates. The weekend roundup typically expands those brief entries into full obituaries.
• Check the “Legacy” section. The Sentinel sometimes republishes particularly moving tributes in a separate “Legacy” feature, searchable by keyword.

When all else fails, a quick phone call to the Sentinel’s newsroom can be surprisingly effective. The staff can confirm whether a name appears in the archive and advise on the best date range to search.

Submitting an Obituary

If you need to place a new obituary, the process is straightforward but varies slightly between print and digital publication. First, gather the essentials: the full name, date of birth, date of death, a concise life summary, and funeral service information. Photos are optional but often appreciated.

To submit:

• Online submission. The Sentinel’s website hosts a form where you can upload text and images. After completing the fields, you’ll receive a proof to review before the notice goes live.
• Phone or email. For those less comfortable with web forms, you can call the obituary desk (usually listed under “Classifieds”) or email a PDF version of the notice.
• Print deadline. The daily edition requires submission by 10 a.m. for same‑day publication; the weekend roundup accepts entries up to Thursday noon.

Pricing is based on length, with a standard 250‑word notice costing around $75, plus $10 per additional photo. Many families also opt for a “Memorial Page” that combines the obituary with a longer tribute and a guest‑book feature.

What to Expect in a Typical Entry

A standard Morning Sentinel obituary follows a familiar template:

• Header. The deceased’s name appears in bold, often followed by a nickname in quotation marks.
• Life dates. Birth and death dates are listed side by side, sometimes with the place of birth.
• Brief biography. A paragraph highlighting career, hobbies, community involvement, and family ties.
• Surviving relatives. Names of spouse, children, grandchildren, and siblings are usually enumerated.
• Service details. Time, date, and location of the funeral or memorial service, plus any charitable donation requests.

Longer tributes may include a photo collage, a short poem, or a QR code linking to a digital memory book. The Sentinel’s editors often add a line noting the source of the submission (e.g., “Submitted by the family”).

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back do the online archives go? The searchable database generally covers obituaries from 2002 onward. For earlier notices, you can request microfilm copies from the Bangor Public Library.

Can I remove or edit an obituary after it’s published? Corrections are possible within 48 hours of publication for a nominal fee. Deletions are rarely granted unless there’s a legal reason.

Is there a way to receive alerts for new obituaries? Yes—by signing up for the Sentinel’s “Obituary Alerts” newsletter, you’ll receive daily emails listing the latest notices in your chosen region of Maine.

Do the obituaries include genealogical information? While most entries focus on recent life events, many families add birthplaces, parents’ names, and marriage details, making them useful for genealogy research.