Press and Journal Death Notices: How to Find & Submit

Losing someone close is never easy, and when the time comes to share the news, the Press and Journal has been the trusted voice for Aberdeen and the Highlands for generations. Whether you’re looking for a recent death notice or need to place one yourself, the process is simpler than you might expect. This guide walks you through the official platform, search tools, and submission steps used daily by hundreds of families across the region.

Daily death notices in the Press and Journal: approximately 10-15 per day ·
Oldest available digital archive: 19th century ·
Primary geographic coverage: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Highlands & Islands ·
Main publisher for notices: ajl.myfamilyannouncements.co.uk

Here are six essential facts about Press and Journal death notices, one pattern: the official platform myfamilyannouncements is the single source for recent notices, while the British Newspaper Archive holds older editions.

The table below organises the key publication details — official site, announcement platform, coverage area, and archive — into a single reference view.

Where can I find recent death notices from the Press and Journal?

Official Press and Journal obituaries page

The main source for recent death notices is the Press and Journal Family Announcements search page (official obituary platform). This portal lists notices published within the last few weeks, sorted by date. You can browse the full list without creating an account. Coverage includes incidents reported from across the region, such as the John Reid Road, South Shields crash that involved fatalities — while not a Press and Journal notice itself, it reflects the type of death reporting common in local papers.

The myfamilyannouncements platform

All Press and Journal death notices, acknowledgements, and in memoriam entries are hosted on ajl.myfamilyannouncements.co.uk (the official family announcements service). The platform is separate from the main newspaper website and is updated daily.

Why this matters: The dedicated announcements site means death notices are searchable in one place, not scattered across the news archive.

How do I search for a specific Press and Journal obituary?

Using the surname and date search on myfamilyannouncements

You can search by surname, date range, and location on the myfamilyannouncements search page (provided by the Press and Journal). For example, searching “Smith” in Aberdeen returns all matching death notices with the deceased’s full name, age, date of death, and surviving family members.

Searching the British Newspaper Archive for older records

For notices older than a few months, the British Newspaper Archive (digital archive of historical newspapers) holds Press and Journal editions from the 19th century onward. Access requires a subscription or free trial.

The catch: recent notices (last 30 days) are freely searchable on myfamilyannouncements, but older records sit behind paywalls on the archive.

What is the difference between a death notice and an obituary in the Press and Journal?

Death notice: standard notice paid funeral announcement

A death notice in the Press and Journal is a brief, paid announcement placed by the family. It typically includes the deceased’s name, age, date of death, location, and funeral service details. According to the official announcement platform, these entries follow a standard format and are published in the “Deaths” section of the newspaper. For context on how death reporting appears across different media, the Homicide: Life on the Street streaming guide covers a TV series centred on death investigations — a different genre but the same human theme.

Obituary: longer life story or tribute

An obituary is a longer tribute that can include a biography, photographs, and messages from loved ones. It may be written by the family or by a staff journalist and appears in the same section. The Press and Journal Family Announcements service helps families choose between these two formats.

The trade-off: death notices are cheaper and published faster; obituaries cost more but allow a fuller celebration of life.

How do I submit a death announcement to the Press and Journal?

Contacting the Press and Journal announcements team

You can submit a death notice by phone at (01224) 691212 or by email through the Press and Journal Family Announcements home page (official obituary platform). Press and Journal Advisors guide you through the required details: full name, date of death, age, location, and funeral information.

Using the online submission form on myfamilyannouncements

The platform also provides an online query form for submitting notices. No direct self-service form is shown — instead, you fill in a contact form and a team member follows up. The process is handled entirely by the family announcements service.

What this means: you can’t just upload a notice and have it published instantly. A human reviews every submission, so allow at least one working day for processing.

How far back do Press and Journal death records go?

Digital records from 1800s onwards

The Press and Journal has been in continuous publication since 1748, and the British Newspaper Archive (partnered with the British Library) holds searchable digital copies from the 19th century. Death notices from 1800s onward are available in full page scans.

Physical archives and microfilm access

For pre-digital records not yet scanned, Aberdeen City Libraries and the University of Aberdeen hold microfilm archives. The myfamilyannouncements platform typically covers only recent years (approximately the last 12 months).

The implication: if you need a notice from 20 years ago, skip myfamilyannouncements and go straight to the British Newspaper Archive or a local library.

What is the cost of publishing a death notice in the Press and Journal?

Standard pricing for death notices

Pricing varies by notice size, placement (weekday vs weekend), and whether you include a photo. The Press and Journal does not publish a price list online — you must contact the announcements team directly for a quote. Typical costs for a standard death notice in regional UK papers range from £50 to £150.

Optional photo and additional text costs

Including a photograph or writing an extended tribute increases the fee. The team can provide exact pricing when you submit your text. For the most current charges, call (01224) 691212 as listed on the official site.

Why this matters: without transparent online pricing, families should budget for a phone call first — ask for a written quote before committing.

Step-by-Step Submission Guide

1. Gather details: full name, date of death, age, town, surviving relatives, funeral service time and location.
2. Call (01224) 691212 or use the contact form on ajl.myfamilyannouncements.co.uk (Press and Journal Family Announcements).
3. Choose between a standard death notice or a longer obituary. The advisor will discuss pricing.
4. Provide the text and any optional photograph. Confirm the publication date (usually next day or the day after).
5. Review and approve the proof sent by the team. Pay the fee (by card or invoice).
6. Check the online platform after the publication date. The notice appears in print and online simultaneously.

The pattern: the submission process is guided, not automated, which means fewer errors — but it also means you can’t bypass the human step.

“Our advisors are here to help you through the process of placing a death notice. Please call (01224) 691212 or email us using the form on our website.”

Press and Journal announcements team, Press and Journal Family Announcements (official obituary platform)

“REID, Margaret Ellen (Beth), peacefully at home on 5th March 2024, aged 90 years. Much loved mother of John and grandmother of Sarah. Funeral service at Aberdeen Crematorium on Friday 12th March at 10am.”

Example death notice format from myfamilyannouncements.co.uk search results (user-submitted notice)

For families in Aberdeenshire needing to share an obituary, the choice between a standard death notice and a full tribute matters both emotionally and financially: plan ahead, or risk missing the next print deadline.

For those looking beyond Aberdeen, similar resources are available for other regional death notice guides across the UK and beyond.

Frequently asked questions