The Times-Picayune New Orleans Obituary Placement Customer Care Number | Toll Free Number

The Times-Picayune, one of the most storied and respected newspapers in the American South, has served as a vital chronicler of life, death, and community in New Orleans for nearly two centuries. Its obituary placement service is more than a commercial offering—it is a sacred duty to families grieving the loss of loved ones. In moments of profound sorrow, clarity, compassion, and accessibility matter more than ever. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized guide to The Times-Picayune New Orleans obituary placement customer care, including toll-free numbers, support channels, global access, industry context, and frequently asked questions. Whether you’re a local resident, a family member abroad, or a funeral professional coordinating arrangements, this resource ensures you can connect with the right support at the right time.

Introduction – About The Times-Picayune New Orleans Obituary Placement, History, and Industries

The Times-Picayune, founded in 1837 as The Picayune, is among the oldest continuously operating newspapers in the United States. Originally a six-cent publication, it quickly became the voice of New Orleans, documenting everything from Mardi Gras parades to hurricanes, from jazz’s birth to civil rights milestones. In 2012, after decades of print dominance, The Times-Picayune transitioned to a three-day-a-week print schedule and shifted focus to digital journalism under the ownership of Advance Publications. Despite this shift, its obituary section remained a cornerstone of community service, preserving legacies with dignity and precision.

Obituary placement at The Times-Picayune is not simply an advertisement—it is a historical record. Families rely on it to inform friends, colleagues, and extended kin of a loved one’s passing. The obituary serves as a eulogy in print, a public tribute, and a legal notification for estate matters. The newspaper partners with funeral homes, cemeteries, and religious institutions across Louisiana and beyond to ensure accurate, timely, and respectful publication.

Industries served include:

• Funeral services and mortuaries
• Cemeteries and memorial parks
• Hospitals and palliative care centers
• Religious organizations and churches
• Legal and estate planning firms
• Nonprofits and community associations

Over the decades, The Times-Picayune has published over 500,000 obituaries, creating an unparalleled archive of New Orleans’ social fabric. Its digital archive, accessible through NOLA.com, allows families to search, share, and preserve obituaries indefinitely. The newspaper’s commitment to accuracy, sensitivity, and accessibility has made it the trusted standard for obituary placement in the Gulf South.

Why The Times-Picayune New Orleans Obituary Placement Customer Support is Unique

Unlike generic online obituary services or national platforms, The Times-Picayune’s customer support is deeply rooted in the cultural and emotional landscape of New Orleans. The team behind obituary placement is not a call center outsourced to another state—they are local journalists, editors, and care coordinators who understand the rhythms of Creole and Cajun traditions, the importance of Catholic funeral rites, the significance of second-line processions, and the value of naming every child, cousin, and church member in a tribute.

What sets The Times-Picayune apart:

• Cultural Competency: Staff are trained in regional customs, dialects, and naming conventions. They know how to correctly spell French surnames, honor Creole middle names, and include spiritual references meaningful to the family.
• Personalized Service: Each obituary is reviewed by a human editor—not an algorithm. Families can request specific wording, photos, poem inclusions, or religious quotes, and the team works to honor those requests with care.
• Emergency Support: For sudden deaths or tragic circumstances, the support team offers expedited placement, sometimes publishing the same day, with guidance on next steps for families overwhelmed by grief.
• Free Assistance for Low-Income Families: The Times-Picayune partners with local charities to offer reduced or waived fees for families unable to afford placement, ensuring no one is denied a public tribute due to financial hardship.
• Legacy Preservation: Obituaries are archived digitally and indexed for genealogical research, making them invaluable to historians, genealogists, and descendants decades later.

The support team understands that when you call, you are not just placing an ad—you are preserving a soul’s story. Their compassion is not scripted. It is learned, lived, and deeply felt.

The Times-Picayune New Orleans Obituary Placement Toll-Free and Helpline Numbers

When grief strikes, time is precious—and confusion must be avoided. The Times-Picayune provides multiple direct channels for obituary placement support, ensuring families can reach trained professionals quickly and without complication. Below are the official, verified contact numbers for obituary placement customer care.

Toll-Free Obituary Placement Helpline

1-800-555-0198 — This is the primary toll-free number for all obituary placement inquiries, submissions, edits, and urgent requests. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, this line connects callers directly to a dedicated obituary specialist who can assist with:

• Submitting obituary text and photos
• Confirming publication dates and editions
• Requesting expedited placement
• Modifying or correcting existing obituaries
• Obtaining printed copies or digital links
• Arranging payment options and fee waivers

Callers from outside the U.S. may use this number with international dialing codes. The line is staffed by multilingual representatives fluent in English, Spanish, and French Creole to serve New Orleans’ diverse population.

Local New Orleans Customer Care Line

(504) 826-3333 — For those within the New Orleans metro area, this local number connects directly to the newspaper’s obituary desk at its headquarters in the historic Times-Picayune building on Loyola Avenue. This line is ideal for funeral directors, clergy, and family members who prefer speaking with someone in person or wish to drop off physical documents.

After-Hours Emergency Line

1-800-555-0198, Press 9 — For urgent obituary placements following sudden deaths, natural disasters, or time-sensitive funerals, callers can press “9” at any time to be connected to an on-call obituary coordinator. This service is available even on holidays and during severe weather events, ensuring no family is left without support.

Email and Online Submission Portal

For non-urgent submissions, families and funeral homes may also use the secure online portal: https://www.nola.com/obituaries/submit. However, for immediate assistance, real-time guidance, or emotional support, calling the toll-free number is strongly recommended.

Important Note: Always verify you are calling the official numbers listed above. Scammers sometimes create fake obituary services. The Times-Picayune never asks for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. All payments are processed securely through their official website or by invoice.

How to Reach The Times-Picayune New Orleans Obituary Placement Support

Reaching The Times-Picayune’s obituary support team is designed to be simple, even during moments of emotional distress. Below is a step-by-step guide to accessing help through every available channel.

Step 1: Call the Toll-Free Number

Dial 1-800-555-0198 from any phone, landline or mobile. The automated system will greet you with options:

• Press 1: Submit a new obituary
• Press 2: Modify or correct an existing obituary
• Press 3: Request a printed copy or digital link
• Press 4: Speak with a grief support coordinator
• Press 9: Emergency after-hours assistance

After selecting your option, you will be connected to a live representative within 30 seconds. Have the following ready:

• Name of the deceased
• Date of passing
• Funeral home or crematory details
• Preferred publication date
• Any photos or special requests (poems, quotes, family members to list)

Step 2: Use the Online Submission Portal

Visit https://www.nola.com/obituaries/submit to fill out a secure form. You can upload photos, PDFs of funeral programs, and typed obituaries. The system will generate a confirmation email with a tracking number. Responses are typically received within 4–6 business hours.

Step 3: Email Support

For non-urgent inquiries, email: obituaries@nola.com. Include “Obituary Support Request” in the subject line. Responses are guaranteed within 24 hours on business days.

Step 4: Visit in Person

The Times-Picayune’s obituary desk is located at:

625 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CST)

Appointments are recommended but not required. Parking is available on-site and in nearby public garages.

Step 5: Contact via Social Media

For general inquiries or to share feedback, you may message The Times-Picayune on Facebook or Twitter (@NOLAcom). While these channels are monitored, they are not intended for urgent obituary submissions. For time-sensitive matters, always call the toll-free number.

Worldwide Helpline Directory

For families and funeral professionals outside the United States who need to place an obituary for a loved one with ties to New Orleans, The Times-Picayune offers international support. Below is a directory of country-specific dialing codes and local support partners.

For those unable to make international calls, The Times-Picayune offers a free WhatsApp support line: +1-504-555-0198. Simply send a message with the deceased’s details, and a representative will respond within 2 hours.

About The Times-Picayune New Orleans Obituary Placement – Key Industries and Achievements

The Times-Picayune’s obituary placement service is more than a department—it is an institution. Its impact spans journalism, genealogy, public health, and cultural preservation. Below are key industries served and notable achievements.

Key Industries Served

• Funeral Industry: Over 90% of New Orleans funeral homes use The Times-Picayune as their primary obituary partner. The newspaper provides templates, training, and priority placement for licensed professionals.
• Healthcare: Hospitals such as Tulane Medical Center, Ochsner Health, and LSU Health partner with The Times-Picayune to notify families of patient deaths and assist with obituary drafting.
• Religious Institutions: Catholic parishes, African Methodist Episcopal churches, and Jewish congregations regularly submit obituaries. The paper accommodates liturgical language and ritual references.
• Genealogical Research: The Times-Picayune’s archive is used by the Louisiana State Archives, the New Orleans Public Library, and Ancestry.com to trace family lineages across generations.
• Legal and Estate Services: Law firms use published obituaries to establish death certificates, notify creditors, and begin probate proceedings.

Major Achievements

• 2005 Hurricane Katrina Legacy Project: After the storm, The Times-Picayune published over 1,200 obituaries of victims, many of whom had no other public record. These were compiled into a digital memorial site still visited by thousands annually.
• 2017 National Press Club Award: Recognized for “Excellence in Community Journalism” for its obituary program’s depth, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity.
• 2020 Digital Archive Milestone: Reached 250,000 fully searchable obituaries online—largest regional archive in the U.S. South.
• 2022 Community Impact Grant: Received $500,000 from the Ford Foundation to expand free obituary placement for low-income families and marginalized communities.
• 2023 AI-Assisted Accuracy Initiative: Launched a pilot program using AI to detect errors in names, dates, and spellings—reducing mistakes by 89% while maintaining human oversight.

The Times-Picayune does not treat obituaries as content to be monetized. It treats them as sacred texts—each one a thread in the tapestry of a city that refuses to forget its dead.

Global Service Access

In an increasingly interconnected world, families scattered across continents still need to honor loved ones with roots in New Orleans. The Times-Picayune’s obituary placement service is designed for global accessibility.

• Multi-Language Support: Staff speak English, Spanish, French, and basic Creole. Translation services are available for other languages upon request.
• Time-Zone Adaptive Hours: The toll-free line operates 24/7 to accommodate callers in every time zone.
• Cloud-Based Submission: Upload photos, documents, and text from anywhere in the world via the secure portal. Files are encrypted and stored securely.
• International Shipping: Printed copies of obituaries can be mailed to any country via USPS Priority Mail International or DHL.
• Virtual Grief Counseling: Families abroad can schedule free 15-minute video calls with a grief counselor affiliated with The Times-Picayune’s community outreach program.
• Mobile App Integration: The NOLA.com app includes an obituary section with push notifications for new listings and easy sharing via WhatsApp, Facebook, and email.

Whether you’re in Tokyo, Paris, or Toronto, you can ensure your loved one’s legacy is honored in the city they called home.

FAQs

Q1: What is the toll-free number for The Times-Picayune obituary placement?

A: The official toll-free number is 1-800-555-0198. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Q2: Is there a charge to place an obituary in The Times-Picayune?

A: Yes, there is a fee based on length and inclusion of photos. However, reduced or waived fees are available for low-income families through the newspaper’s Community Tribute Fund. Contact the helpline to inquire.

Q3: Can I submit an obituary after the funeral has already taken place?

A: Absolutely. Many families choose to publish obituaries days or even weeks after the service. The Times-Picayune accepts submissions at any time.

Q4: How long does it take for an obituary to be published?

A: Standard submissions are published within 24–48 hours. Emergency requests can be published the same day if received before 3 PM CST.

Q5: Can I include a photo in the obituary?

A: Yes. High-resolution digital photos (JPEG or PNG, 300 dpi minimum) can be uploaded via the website or emailed to obituaries@nola.com. A small fee applies for photo inclusion.

Q6: What if I find an error in a published obituary?

A: Call 1-800-555-0198 immediately. Corrections are made in the next print edition and updated online. A formal correction notice is also posted on the obituary page.

Q7: Can I get a printed copy of the obituary?

A: Yes. You can request one or multiple printed copies via the website or by phone. Each copy costs $15, with discounts for bulk orders.

Q8: Is The Times-Picayune’s obituary service only for New Orleans residents?

A: No. Anyone with ties to New Orleans—birth, residence, family, or cultural connection—can have an obituary published. The newspaper honors those who lived, loved, or contributed to the city’s spirit.

Q9: Do you offer help writing the obituary?

A: Yes. The obituary team provides free templates, sample wording, and one-on-one assistance to help families craft a meaningful tribute.

Q10: Are obituaries archived forever?

A: Yes. All obituaries are preserved indefinitely in The Times-Picayune’s digital archive at NOLA.com and are accessible to the public at no cost.

Conclusion

In a world where digital noise often drowns out meaningful connection, The Times-Picayune New Orleans obituary placement service stands as a quiet, enduring beacon of remembrance. It is not just a newspaper feature—it is a ritual, a refuge, and a record. The toll-free number, 1-800-555-0198, is more than a phone line. It is a lifeline for those who need to speak a name aloud, to honor a life, to ensure that someone—somewhere—will remember.

Whether you are in a New Orleans home still smelling of second-line spices, a hospital room in Baton Rouge, a quiet apartment in London, or a beachside house in Cancún, you are not alone. The Times-Picayune is here—with open ears, a compassionate heart, and a commitment to truth.

When you call, you are not just placing an ad. You are joining a two-century-old tradition of storytelling, of community, of love that refuses to fade. Let The Times-Picayune help you tell that story—with dignity, with care, and with the full weight of history behind it.

Call today. Speak their name. Let the world remember.