Finding a New Orleans obituary for today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, isn't just about scanning a list of names. It’s kinda about how this city remembers its own. In New Orleans, an obituary isn't a dry data point; it’s the final second line, a printed testimony to a life lived in a place that values "character" above almost everything else.
Honestly, the way we track these things has changed so much. You've probably noticed that the days of just grabbing a thick Sunday paper off the porch are fading, but the need to know who we've lost—and when the service is—remains a huge part of the local fabric. Whether you’re looking for a lifelong neighbor from the 7th Ward or a prominent figure in the Uptown preservation scene, the search process is a bit of a mix between digital sleuthing and old-school word of mouth.
The Major Notices for January 18, 2026
If you’re checking the registries today, several names stand out in the local records. One of the most significant losses being discussed across the city is James Michael Carbine III. Known simply as Michael to friends and the many craftsmen he employed, Carbine was a titan in the world of historic preservation. He didn't just fix houses; he saved the architectural soul of the city.
He passed away recently, but his formal obituary is making the rounds today because his services are set for his 75th birthday, January 31, at The Holy Name of Jesus Church. People like Michael represent that specific New Orleans "expert" who could tell you the history of a barge-board wall just by looking at the grain of the wood.
Other notices appearing today include:
- Nathalie "Nat" Rodi Lapeyrouse: A beloved seamstress from Chalmette who was essentially the heartbeat of her family's Sunday dinners. Her service is scheduled for Friday at St. Bernard Memorial.
- George Heller Boudousquie Jr.: A name familiar to those in the local professional circles.
- Laura Katherine "Katherine" Howe-Frilot: Whose passing has touched many in the New Orleans community this week.
- Reginald Bernard Long: A local resident whose life is being honored by family and friends in today's listings.
It’s a heavy list, but in a city this tight-knit, these names represent branches of families that stretch across every parish.
Where to Look When You Can't Find Someone
Sometimes the name you’re looking for isn't in the big paper. That happens more than you'd think. The "official" New Orleans obituary for today might be split across four or five different places.
Basically, the Times-Picayune (NOLA.com) remains the heavy hitter for formal paid notices. But if you're looking for someone from the Westbank or deep in the suburbs, you might need to pivot. I usually tell people to check the funeral home websites directly. In New Orleans, funeral homes like Charbonnet-Labat-Glapion, Rhodes, and Jacob Schoen & Son often post "pending" notices or full tributes on their own sites before they ever hit the aggregators.
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For example, if you're looking for someone who was a pillar in the Black community, Charbonnet often has the most up-to-date info on their "Current Services" page. They’ve recently handled services for folks like Eric James Winins and Walter Wallace Jr., both of whom had deep roots in the city.
The "Pending" Problem
One thing that drives people crazy is the "Obituary Pending" tag. You see it a lot on Legacy.com or funeral home portals. This usually happens because the family is still coordinating with a church or a social aid and pleasure club for a brass band. You can't set a date until the venue and the music are locked in.
If you see a name but no details, don't panic. Check back around 4:00 PM. That's usually when the next day's digital updates are pushed through.
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Why We Still Read the "Obits"
In other cities, an obituary is just a notice. In New Orleans, it’s a biography. You’ll find mentions of which high school someone went to (because that’s the first thing any local asks you), their favorite Mardi Gras krewe, or the specific recipe for gumbo they were known for.
Take the notice for Nathalie Lapeyrouse mentioned earlier. It explicitly mentions her hosting Sunday dinners and being the "life of the party." That’s not just filler text; it’s the DNA of the city. When we search for a New Orleans obituary for today, we’re often looking for those small connections—the "Oh, I knew her brother from the bank" moments that keep the city feeling like a small town.
Actionable Steps for Finding a Specific Notice
If you are currently searching for a specific individual and having no luck, follow this sequence:
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- Check the NOLA.com "Today" Filter: Go to the obituaries section and specifically filter by "Date: Today." This catches the most recent uploads from the last 24 hours.
- Search by Funeral Home: If you know which home is handling the arrangements (Schoen, Rhodes, Mothe, etc.), go straight to their website. They often have "Pending" notices that don't appear in the newspaper search yet.
- Check Social Media Groups: New Orleans has several "In Memory Of" Facebook groups that are surprisingly fast. If a prominent musician or local figure passes, the community usually knows before the printer runs.
- The Times-Picayune Print Edition: Believe it or not, some older families only publish in the physical Sunday paper. If you’re at a coffee shop, it’s worth a quick flip through the back pages.
- Verify via the Coroner’s Office: In cases where a death was sudden or under investigation, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will eventually release the identity, but this can take 48–72 hours depending on family notification.
Looking for a New Orleans obituary for today is often an act of respect as much as it is an information hunt. Whether you're sending flowers to a service at Holy Name of Jesus or just saying a quiet prayer for a neighbor you haven't seen in a while, staying connected to these notices is how we keep the "Old New Orleans" alive.
Next time you’re searching, remember that the digital record is just the start—the real stories are usually found in the memories shared in the guestbooks and at the repasts that follow.