FAQs
Many funeral homes publish obituaries on their websites. These can usually be located with a Google search on the person's name. Local genealogical and historical societies, public libraries, and some newspaper publishers maintain clipping files of obituaries.
Is there an app for local obituaries? ›
MyObits: Obituary Listings on the App Store.
What is the largest obituary website? ›
Legacy.com hosts obituaries for more than three-quarters of the 100 largest newspapers in the U.S., by circulation. The site attracts more than 30 million unique visitors per month and is among the top 40 trafficked websites in the world.
How do you post an obituary in a local newspaper? ›
To submit a death notice to a newspaper you can go to the paper's website and follow the instructions there, or you can go to Legacy.com and find a link to the newspaper's death notice submission page there. To submit an obituary online, use our resource Guide: Filing a Death Notice or Obituary.
How do I find an obituary for a specific person in Wisconsin? ›
Recent obituaries from the current year can be viewed, many without images, at the Wisconsin State Journal web site. Obituaries before the current year can be obtained by browsing the newspaper microfilm or can be requested (with a two-week date range) by phone, mail, or email.
How do you find a person who passed away? ›
- Start an Online Search. Arguably the best way to find out whether or not someone you know has passed is to begin an online search. ...
- Check Social Media. ...
- Use Word of Mouth. ...
- Read The Paper or Watch The Local News. ...
- Go To An Archive Facility. ...
- Review Government Records.
How do I find obituaries in the US by name for free? ›
Using Online and Print Newspapers to Find Free Obituaries
- Use Legacy.com to Search for a Free Obituary. ...
- Newspaper Archive Sites. ...
- Look for Obituaries in Newspapers at a Public Library. ...
- Ancestry.com and Its (Brief) Free Trial. ...
- MyHeritage Free Trial. ...
- FamilySearch. ...
- The Mormon Church Family History Library. ...
- Mennonite Archives.
When someone dies, do you have to put a notice in the paper? ›
Obituaries and death notices are not required—but notices to creditors may be. You are under no legal obligation to take out a death notice or obituary.
Do people still publish obituaries? ›
No, obituaries are not legally required, but many choose to include them in their End-of-Life Plan as a part of their estate plan.
How can I find out if someone has died? ›
A basic online search may reveal an obituary or information about a memorial service. Type the person's name and words like “death,” “obituary,” or “memorial” and any personal information you may have, such as their date of birth or names of close relatives who could be mentioned as one of their surviving kin.
What do you say when someone dies?
- "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm here for you."
- "My condolences on your loved one's passing. May their memory bring you comfort.“
- “I extend my deepest sympathy to you. ...
- "Thinking of you, sending love and support.“
- "We're saddened by the news. ...
- "Heartfelt condolences. ...
- "You're not alone.
What does a good obituary look like? ›
Obituary Example: Announcing the Funeral
[Full name], [age], of [where they lived], sadly left us on [date of death] due to [cause of death]. They leave behind [list of surviving family members]. A service will be held in their honor at [time] on [date] at [location].
Why does it cost so much to put an obituary in the newspaper? ›
Why does it cost so much to post an obituary? Publishing an obituary in the newspaper is expensive because of the limited space papers have. Newspapers value every inch of each page, so they must charge to use that limited space for an obituary.
Who typically writes an obituary? ›
While there are no rules when it comes to who writes the obituary, they're typically written by family members or close friends. When a loved one passes, the family usually decides who will write it based on their relationship to the deceased or writing ability.
How long after death is the funeral? ›
A funeral is typically held around one or two weeks after the death, though it may be longer if the funeral director only has certain days available or if there is an inquest into the death. You may wish for your loved one to be buried as soon as possible, depending on their religious beliefs.
How can I check if someone has died? ›
A basic online search may reveal an obituary or information about a memorial service. Type the person's name and words like “death,” “obituary,” or “memorial” and any personal information you may have, such as their date of birth or names of close relatives who could be mentioned as one of their surviving kin.
How do I find someone who died in California? ›
Two state-level California Death Indexes can be found at Ancestry.com (a database anyone can access from any library branch and Central Library) or FamilySearch.org (a free internet database). California, Death Index, 1905-1939 provides the digitized index page, plus its transcription.
How do I find an obituary for a specific person in MA? ›
Obituaries in Massachusetts and other parts of New England can generally be found in the local town or county papers. Many obituaries for Boston and the surrounding area can be found in: Boston Athenaeum. Index of Obituaries in Boston Newspapers, 1704-1800.
How do I find an obituary in Pennsylvania? ›
Find an Obituary. The Cremation Society of Pennsylvania ® online obituary search tool gives you access to obituaries from thousands of locations across North America. You can search by first or last name, state and publication date.