Search Obituary, Death and Burial Records by Name
Enter the person’s first name, last name and last known state to prepare an obituary, death, burial, cemetery, memorial and related public-record search.
Find New River Valley Obituaries, Funeral Notices & Official Death Records
For recent New River Valley obituaries, start with a regional obituary source such as NRVNews, then open the handling funeral home’s memorial for final service details. Search Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski and nearby communities separately when the first result is missing. For certified proof of death, use Virginia Vital Records—not an obituary copy.
Quick Answer: Match the Source to the Task
Newest obituary
Start with NRVNews or a city-specific recent obituary page.
Service details
Use the handling funeral home for visitation, funeral, cemetery, livestream and last-minute updates.
Older notice
Use SWVA Roots, Radford Public Library or Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library historical resources.
Legal proof
Use Virginia Department of Health for a certified death certificate when an agency or institution requires proof.
Where to Find Recent New River Valley Obituaries
NRVNews maintains a current obituary section covering the New River Valley and surrounding Southwest Virginia communities. Recent postings include notices tied to Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pulaski, Radford and other nearby towns.
NRVNews recent feed
Use the regional feed when you want a broad view of newly posted New River Valley notices.
City-specific search
Use Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford or Pulaski obituary pages when the regional feed is too broad.
Funeral-home source
After identifying the correct person, move to the funeral home’s own memorial for current service information.
How to Search New River Valley Obituaries by Name and City
Submit an Obituary to NRVNews
NRVNews currently states that it publishes obituaries free of charge. It provides an online submission route and a direct news-desk email.
Online route
Use NRVNews’s “What’s Happening” submission route and provide the approved obituary information.
Email route
Email the approved obituary directly to newsdesk@nrvnews.com.
Prepare before submitting
- Full legal and preferred name.
- Age and home community.
- Approved obituary text.
- Photo you have permission to publish.
- Funeral-home name.
- Visitation and service details.
- Cemetery or cremation information if publicly shared.
- Family-approved memorial or donation instructions.
Confirm the Correct Person Before Sharing the Notice
| Check | Why it helps | Pause when… |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Common surnames can produce several Southwest Virginia results. | Middle name, nickname or maiden name conflicts. |
| Age / birth year | Separates people with similar names. | The age is clearly different. |
| Relatives | Spouse, children, parents and siblings are strong clues. | No known relatives match. |
| Community | A notice may connect several NRV communities. | There is no known regional connection. |
| Funeral home | The provider usually has the most current public arrangements. | The provider is in an unrelated area. |
| Publish / death date | Separates a new notice from an old memorial. | The year or date range is wrong. |
Verify Funeral and Visitation Details Before Travelling
Time
Visitation, funeral, memorial, church service and graveside service can all have different times.
Address
The funeral home, church, cemetery and reception may be in different towns.
Public or private
Do not assume every service is open to the public.
Livestream
Use only a stream supplied by the funeral home, church or authorized memorial.
Flowers and donations
Follow the family’s stated instructions and verify charities independently.
Call when uncertain
Call if the service is soon, severe weather is possible or two reliable pages disagree.
What If You Cannot Find the Obituary?
Search the funeral home
The family may have published a memorial on the funeral-home website without placing a newspaper or regional notice.
Search a neighboring city
Residence, hospital, funeral home and burial location can all be in different NRV communities.
Try maiden or former names
This is especially important for older notices and genealogy searches.
Widen the date range
Publication can occur several days after death or after arrangements are finalized.
Use the historical archive
For older notices, move from current obituary websites to SWVA Roots and local-library collections.
Respect no-public-notice choices
Some families do not publish an obituary. A missing online result does not prove that a death did not occur.
How to Get a Virginia Death Certificate
Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records issues certified Virginia death certificates. The statewide certificate/search fee increased to $15 effective July 1, 2026.
Current state fee
$15 per certified copy or record search. The fee applies even when a requested record search does not produce a certificate.
Recent-record access
Recent full certificates are generally available to immediate family members with valid identification. Death records become public information 25 years after the event.
Microsteps
Local Health Departments in the New River Valley
Virginia’s New River Health District lists vital records among its health-department services and maintains local offices across the region.
Montgomery County Health Department
210 South Pepper Street, Suite A
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: 540-585-3300
When Virginia Death Records Become Public
Virginia death records become public information 25 years after the date of death. That changes the best search strategy for older family-history research.
Recent death
Use VDH eligibility rules, identification and the certified-record process.
25+ years old
Use public indexes, library genealogy collections, archives and historical newspapers before paying for repeated record searches.
Use SWVA Roots for Older New River Valley Obituaries
NRVNews directs older obituary researchers to its sister archive, SWVA Roots. SWVA Roots says its database contains more than 30,000 obituaries and memorial tributes for people in and around the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia.
Better archive-search workflow
Radford Public Library’s New River Room
Radford Public Library’s Ann H. Fisher New River Room is designed specifically for local history and genealogy research involving Radford and surrounding communities.
Obituaries and newspapers
The collection lists obituary resources, Radford News Journal, Roanoke Times, Richmond Times and America’s News.
Microfilm and genealogy
The New River Room includes microfilm of vital records and newspapers, published local histories, genealogies and research guides.
Local History & Genealogy Specialist
Phone: 540-731-3621
Email: Scott.gardner@radfordva.gov
The library recommends an appointment when you need specialist help outside the listed local-historian hours.
Blacksburg Library Historical Newspaper Resources
Blacksburg Library, part of Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, provides a digital Montgomery County newspaper archive covering 1950–2003.
Digitized local newspapers
The archive includes the News Messenger and Montgomery News Messenger, useful for older obituaries, death notices and community stories.
Current newspaper access
Blacksburg Library also lists The Roanoke Times among its current newspaper subscriptions.
Verify a Virginia Funeral Home or Funeral Director
The Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers provides public license resources and directs consumers to Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup for current primary-source verification.
Funeral Price Rights Before You Agree to Pay
Ask for prices by phone
Federal Funeral Rule protections require funeral providers to give price information over the phone when you ask.
Get the General Price List
When discussing arrangements in person, request the itemized General Price List and keep it.
Choose individual services
You generally have the right to buy only the funeral goods and services you want instead of an unwanted package.
Separate third-party charges
Ask which charges belong to the funeral home and which come from a cemetery, newspaper, clergy, florist, crematory or another provider.
Funeral and Burial Help Worth Checking in Virginia
Virginia Victims Fund
When a death resulted from an eligible crime, Virginia Victims Fund may, under most circumstances, pay up to $10,000 toward funeral, burial or memorial expenses after other available sources are applied.
Local Department of Social Services
Virginia enacted 2026 authority allowing regulations for certain local DSS funeral-expense assistance when funding is available. Because availability depends on implementation and funding, contact the local DSS before assuming assistance exists.
If the Person Was a Veteran
Virginia Department of Veterans Services’ Wytheville office serves Montgomery, Pulaski and Giles Counties along with Radford, Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Pulaski.
Virginia DVS — Wytheville Office
335 West Monroe Street, Suite 200
Wytheville, VA 24382
Phone: 276-228-5211
Current listed office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Appointments are highly recommended.
Useful Veteran tasks
- Check federal VA burial allowance eligibility.
- Locate DD-214 or equivalent military-service documentation.
- Check cemetery eligibility before choosing a burial location.
- Ask about a burial flag, government marker and Presidential Memorial Certificate.
- Ask about survivor benefits when applicable.
Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin
The Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery is directly in the New River Valley and provides burial options for eligible Veterans and qualifying family members.
Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery
5550 Bagging Plant Road
Dublin, VA 24084
Phone: 855-482-8387
Email: dublincemetery@dvs.virginia.gov
The cemetery is open for public visitation during daylight hours. The administrative office is currently open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., except federal and state holidays.
Pre-application
Eligible Veterans can apply before death to determine cemetery eligibility. Military-service documentation is required.
Burial options
Virginia’s state Veterans cemeteries accommodate casket burial, in-ground cremated remains and above-ground columbarium inurnment.
Flowers, Donations, Guestbooks and Livestream Safety
Flowers
Use the family-authorized obituary or funeral-home memorial and confirm the service location first.
Memorial donations
Verify the charity on its own official website before entering payment details.
Guestbooks
Assume comments are public. Avoid private addresses, account numbers, medical claims and family disputes.
Livestreams
Use only a link supplied by the funeral home, church or family-authorized memorial.
After You Find the Obituary
- Save the obituary URL and funeral-home memorial separately.
- Write down visitation, service and cemetery addresses separately.
- Ask the funeral director whether the death was reported to Social Security.
- Ask banks, insurers and estate professionals how many certified certificates they actually require.
- Gather DD-214 documentation early when military service applies.
- Keep certificate receipts, confirmation numbers, invoices and call notes together.
Common New River Valley Obituary Search Mistakes
Searching one city only
Search nearby NRV communities because residence, hospital, funeral home and cemetery may all differ.
Using only one name spelling
Try nickname, maiden name, middle initial and surname-only searches.
Ignoring NRVNews
A regional feed can surface notices that are difficult to find through one-city searches.
Ignoring SWVA Roots
Older New River Valley material may have moved from current NRVNews pages into the sister archive.
Using stale Virginia fees
Virginia’s vital-record fee increased from $12 to $15 on July 1, 2026.
Trusting an old service time
Always use the funeral home for final arrangements before travelling.
Related RecentObituaries.info Guides
Obituary Search & Recent Notices
Search names, dates, towns, newspapers, funeral homes and cemetery clues.
Death Certificate & Vital Records
Know when a public obituary is not enough for legal, insurance or estate tasks.
After-Death Notification Checklist
Organize Social Security, banks, insurance, mail, records and other next steps.
Primary and Official Sources Used
NRVNews — Obituaries Current New River Valley obituary feed covering Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pulaski, Radford and surrounding communities. NRVNews — Obituary Submission Current free-obituary submission information and news-desk contact. SWVA Roots Historical New River Valley and Southwest Virginia obituary and memorial archive with 30,000+ entries. Virginia Department of Health — Vital Records Current $15 certificate/search fee, eligibility, public-record timing and official ordering methods. New River Health District — Locations Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles, Floyd and Radford health-department addresses and contacts. Radford Public Library — New River Room Obituary, newspaper, vital-record microfilm, genealogy and local-history resources. Blacksburg Library Montgomery County digitized newspapers from 1950–2003 and current newspaper resources. Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers Primary-source license lookup, complaint and consumer information. Virginia Victims Fund Funeral and burial assistance in qualifying crime-victim cases. Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery — Dublin Local Veteran cemetery eligibility, pre-application, burial options and contact information.New River Valley Recent Obituaries FAQs
Where can I find recent New River Valley obituaries?
Start with NRVNews, which maintains a live regional obituary feed, then use city-specific obituary pages for Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford or Pulaski when needed. Confirm final service details with the handling funeral home.
What cities are usually included in a New River Valley obituary search?
Common searches include Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Dublin, Pearisburg, Pembroke and Floyd. The official New River Health District covers Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties plus the City of Radford.
Does NRVNews publish obituaries for free?
NRVNews currently states that it publishes obituaries free of charge and accepts submissions through its website or by email at newsdesk@nrvnews.com.
Where can I find older New River Valley obituaries?
NRVNews directs older obituary research to SWVA Roots. SWVA Roots says its database contains more than 30,000 obituaries and memorial tributes from the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia.
How can I search an obituary if I only know the person lived in Blacksburg?
Search the full name plus Blacksburg first, then widen to Christiansburg, Radford and nearby communities. Add funeral home, spouse, Virginia Tech, church or cemetery clues when needed.
How much is a Virginia death certificate in 2026?
Virginia increased the vital-record certificate and search fee to $15 effective July 1, 2026.
Why do some local Virginia pages still show a $12 death-certificate fee?
Some local pages have not yet reflected Virginia’s July 1, 2026 fee adjustment. The current statewide VDH fee is $15 per certificate or record search.
Who can obtain a recent full Virginia death certificate?
Virginia generally limits recent full vital records to immediate family members with valid identification. Death records become public information 25 years after the event.
Can I get a Virginia death certificate through a New River Valley health department?
The New River Health District lists vital records among its services and maintains offices in Christiansburg, Radford, Pulaski, Pearisburg and Floyd. Call the local office first to confirm current walk-in service and payment methods.
Does Radford Public Library have obituary research resources?
Yes. Its Ann H. Fisher New River Room includes obituary resources, newspapers, microfilm of vital records and newspapers, local histories and genealogy materials.
Does Blacksburg Library have old local newspapers?
Yes. Blacksburg Library currently lists a digitized Montgomery County newspaper archive covering 1950–2003, including the News Messenger and Montgomery News Messenger.
How can I verify a New River Valley funeral home or funeral director?
Use the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers public resources and Virginia Department of Health Professions License Lookup for current primary-source license verification.
Does Virginia have funeral assistance for crime victims?
Virginia Victims Fund may, in qualifying crime-victim cases and under most circumstances, pay up to $10,000 toward funeral, burial or memorial expenses after other available sources are applied.
Does Virginia have general local burial assistance?
Virginia enacted 2026 authority allowing regulations for certain local social-services funeral-expense assistance when funding is available. Availability is not automatic, so contact the local Department of Social Services before relying on it.
Where is the closest Virginia state Veterans cemetery to the New River Valley?
The Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery is at 5550 Bagging Plant Road in Dublin, Virginia. It serves eligible Veterans and qualifying family members.
Can a Veteran pre-apply for the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery?
Yes. Virginia allows eligible Veterans to apply before death to establish cemetery eligibility. Military-service documentation such as a DD-214 or equivalent is required.
Is an obituary legal proof of death?
No. An obituary is a public notice or memorial. Banks, insurers, estates and government agencies may require a certified Virginia death certificate.
What should I verify before attending a New River Valley funeral?
Confirm the correct person, date, time, exact address, public or private status, cemetery, flowers, donations and livestream with the handling funeral home.
Before You Share, Travel, Order or Pay
- Search more than one New River Valley community when the first result is missing.
- Use NRVNews for current regional notices and SWVA Roots for older archive research.
- Confirm name, age, relatives, community and funeral home before sharing a notice.
- Use the funeral-home memorial for final service information.
- Use Virginia Vital Records when certified legal proof is required.
- Use the current $15 Virginia fee rather than stale $12 information.
- Use Radford and Blacksburg library collections for difficult historical searches.
- Verify unfamiliar funeral professionals through Virginia’s state licensing system.
- Check crime-victim, social-services and Veteran assistance only when the applicable eligibility rules fit.
- Keep private medical, financial and family information out of public guestbooks.
RecentObituaries.info is an independent source-navigation guide. It is not NRVNews, SWVA Roots, Virginia Department of Health, New River Health District, Radford Public Library, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, a funeral home, cemetery, Virginia DVS or a government benefits agency. Verify final service, certificate, license, payment and benefit information with the organization responsible for it.