Losing someone is heavy. Then comes the paperwork. You’re sitting there, maybe at a kitchen table in Tarrant County, trying to figure out how to sum up a whole human life in a column of newsprint. Most people think a Fort Worth Star Telegram obit is just a service you buy. It’s actually more of a community record that’s been running since the late 1800s.
It's expensive. Honestly, that’s the first thing that shocks families. You expect a few hundred dollars, but depending on the length and whether you include a photo, the bill can climb fast. But there is a reason people still do it. In a city like Fort Worth, the "Star-T" is still the paper of record. If it isn't in there, for a certain generation, it didn't happen.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye
Let's talk numbers because nobody likes surprises when they're grieving. A basic notice in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram usually starts around $55. That gets you a bare-bones entry. If you want the "human" stuff—the stories about how they loved the Stockyards or never missed a TCU game—the price scales based on line count.
You’ve got two main paths.
The first is a Death Notice. These are short. They’re basically just the facts: name, age, city of residence, and funeral time. They aren't meant to be biographies.
The second is the full Obituary. This is where you get the photo and the narrative. Most local families choose this because it syncs up with Legacy.com, creating a permanent digital guestbook. It’s a weird mix of old-school print and 2026 digital tech. You pay for the print space, but you’re really buying a permanent spot on the internet where people can leave virtual candles and notes.
Deadlines are Bricks
Don't wait. Seriously. The Star-Telegram is part of the McClatchy network, and their systems are rigid. If you want an obit to run on a Sunday—which is the most popular day because of the higher circulation—you usually need to have everything submitted and paid for by Friday afternoon.
If you miss that window, you're looking at a Tuesday or Wednesday run. In the digital age, that might not seem to matter, but if you're trying to notify people about a Monday morning service, a Wednesday paper is useless.
Finding Old Records
Maybe you aren't looking to post one. Maybe you're digging into family history.
Fort Worth has an incredible archive, but it's a bit of a scavenger hunt. If you're looking for a Fort Worth Star Telegram obit from the last 20 years, Legacy.com is your best bet. It goes back to roughly 2001.
But if you’re looking for "Great-Aunt Martha" who passed in 1974? You’ll need the Fort Worth Public Library.
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- They keep the Star-Telegram on microfilm.
- The Central Library has an online index for obits between 1966 and 1993.
- You can't usually see the full text online for free; you often have to request a scan or go in person.
It’s a bit of a trek, but for genealogists, those old 1950s obits are gold mines. They used to list everyone who attended the funeral and even the songs that were played. We don't really do that anymore.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the newspaper writes the obituary for you. They don’t.
Unless the person was a major public figure—like a former mayor or a local legend like Amon Carter—the staff isn't going to craft the prose. You, or your funeral director, have to provide the text.
If you write it yourself, keep these "Star-T" quirks in mind:
- The Photo Matters: Use a high-resolution shot. Newsprint is low-quality; if the photo is blurry on your phone, it’ll look like a smudge in the paper.
- The Verification: The paper won’t just take your word for it. They usually require verification from a funeral home or a crematorium. This prevents "prank" obituaries, which unfortunately are a real thing.
- The "Guestbook" Trap: The online guestbook is included in the fee, but it can be moderated. If you don't want random people posting, you have to manage those settings through the Legacy portal.
How to Handle the Process Now
If you are currently handling arrangements, skip the phone calls if you can. The online submission portal is actually pretty decent. It gives you a real-time price preview.
Basically, as you type, the price changes. It’s a little soul-crushing to see the "Total" go up $20 because you added a sentence about their prize-winning roses, but it’s better than getting a surprise bill later.
If you need help with the wording, most Tarrant County funeral homes like Greenwood or Lucas have staff who handle these submissions every day. They know the formatting quirks that the Star-Telegram prefers.
Next Steps for You
If you're ready to move forward, go to the Star-Telegram's official obituary portal through their "Place an Ad" section. Have your funeral home contact information ready for verification. If you are doing research, head to the Tarrant County TXGenWeb site first—it's free and can save you a trip to the library by giving you the exact date of publication so you aren't scrolling through months of microfilm blindly.