Cherished Book vs Legacy.com
Legacy.com is the largest obituary host, syndicated across thousands of newspapers. Cherished Book is a private, collaborative memorial rather than a published obituary. They do different jobs, and here is how they compare.
Last reviewed October 2026. Prices and features change, so check both sites before deciding.
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cherished Book if…
you want a private, lasting memorial that family and friends build together, with help writing the words and a keepsake you can keep.
Choose Legacy.com if…
you want a traditional newspaper obituary with the widest possible reach and search visibility, and you are not looking for a private collaborative memorial.
Cherished Book and Legacy.com, side by side
| Feature | Cherished Book | Legacy.com |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to start. Premium is a one-time $30, including tax, never a subscription. | $159 online obituary; newspaper placement priced by each paper. Carries ads. |
| AI writing help | Yes. AI obituary draft + guided writing prompts. | No. No AI writing help. |
| Collaboration | Yes. Unlimited contributors; guests can add tributes with no account. | Partial. A guest book, not a collaborative memorial. |
| Privacy & control | Yes. Public, private or invite-only; a separate choice of who can read the tributes; private messages to the family; approval queue; no ads. | No. Public obituary with ads. |
| Faith & tradition | Yes. 68 faith & secular designs, Faith Gate, secondary calendars. | No. No faith-matched designs. |
| Events & RSVP | Yes. Yes, with tradition-aware rites (Premium). | No. No events or RSVPs. |
| Resting place | Yes. Map link and directions, with no coordinates or trackers. | No. No resting-place link. |
| Linked family memorials | Yes. Connect a family's memorials so loved ones remembered together are easy to find. | No. No memorial linking. |
| Fundraising | Partial. Links out to a charity or fundraiser; we take no cut. | No. Sympathy commerce, not fundraising. |
| Photos, video, audio | Partial. Photos and files, and a Memorial Slideshow video with Premium. No video or audio uploads. | Partial. Photos with the obituary. |
| Keepsake & export | Yes. Designed PDF memorial book + free full ZIP export. | No. No keepsake book or export. |
| Mobile app | Partial. Works in any browser. No native app. | No. Web only. |
| No ads or upsells | Yes. Never. No ads, no visitor upsells. | No. Shows ads alongside obituaries. |
✓ included · ~ partial or limited · — not offered · ? not confirmed at our last review. Comparisons reflect public information and change over time.
Where Legacy.com may suit you better
We would rather you found the right place than the wrong one. Here is where Legacy.com does something we do not.
- Unmatched reach: obituaries are syndicated across thousands of newspapers and rank strongly in search. Cherished Book is a private memorial, not a published newspaper obituary.
- It is the default place many people look for an obituary in the US, which matters if you want maximum visibility.
Where Cherished Book is different
- A private, collaborative memorial that family build together, not a one-way published obituary with a guest book.
- Help writing the words with AI and guided prompts; Legacy.com has none.
- Faith-matched designs, secondary calendars and a keepsake PDF plus free export.
- No ads. Legacy.com shows ads alongside obituaries.
A note on price
Legacy.com charges $159 to publish an obituary online, with newspaper placement priced separately by each paper, at our last review. The site carries advertising.
Cherished Book is free to start, and Premium is a one-time $30, no subscription and no ads. The two do different jobs: a newspaper obituary for reach, or a private memorial to keep. See our pricing page.
Free to start, no card needed. The Legacy.com link opens in a new tab.
Common questions
Is Cherished Book a newspaper obituary?
No. Cherished Book is a private, collaborative memorial. Legacy.com publishes obituaries syndicated to newspapers, which is better for maximum public reach.
Can I have both?
Many families do: a newspaper obituary for reach, and a Cherished Book memorial as the private, lasting place to gather memories and photos.
Does Cherished Book show ads?
No. Cherished Book never shows ads. Legacy.com carries advertising.
Last reviewed October 2026.
More comparisons and features
A memorial everyone who loved them can add to.
A collaborative memorial lets family and friends share stories, photos, and announcements, all in one place. It’s free to create.
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