How to Find an Obituary
The fastest way to find an obituary is to search by the person’s first and last name. Search over 60,000 obituaries on FuneralHomes.com below, or use the steps further down for older or harder-to-find obituaries.
How to find a recent obituary
- Search FuneralHomes.com by name.
- Check the funeral home’s website. Most funeral homes post obituaries within a few days.
- Check the local newspaper’s website where the person lived.
- Search the person’s name plus “obituary” in a search engine.
How to find an older obituary
- Library of Congress Chronicling America: free digitized historic US newspapers.
- FamilySearch: free historical records, including obituary collections.
- Your public library: many give free access to newspaper archives.
- Newspaper archive sites: often paid.
- Find a Grave: grave records sometimes include an obituary.
What to do if you can’t find an obituary
- Not every family publishes one. A short death notice may be all there is.
- Call the funeral home that handled the service.
- Request a death record from the state vital records office.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I find an obituary for someone who died recently?
Search their name on FuneralHomes.com, then check the funeral home’s website, where most obituaries appear within a few days. The local newspaper’s website is the next place to look.
Is it free to search obituaries?
Searching FuneralHomes.com is free. Some newspaper archive sites charge for older obituaries, but libraries often give free access.
How do I find an old obituary?
Start with the Library of Congress Chronicling America collection and FamilySearch, both free. Your public library may also have newspaper archives.
What if there’s no obituary?
Some families don’t publish one, or only publish a short death notice. The funeral home or the state vital records office can confirm the death and service details.
What’s the difference between an obituary and a death notice?
A death notice is a short announcement of the death and service. An obituary adds the person’s life story.
