How To Find an Obituary
If you're trying to find an obituary, you're not alone. Whether you're looking for funeral details, trying to confirm a loved one's passing, or researching your family history, obituaries can hold important information. But where to look and how easy it is to find depends on when and where the person died. This guide walks you through the best ways to track one down, even if you don't have much information.
Start with online obituary databases
One of the easiest places to start your search is with online obituary databases. These sites collect obituaries from newspapers, funeral homes, and family submissions—some dating back over 100 years.
Legacy.com is the most widely used, with millions of obituaries from newspapers across the country.
Tributes.com works similarly and lets you search by name, location, and date.
ObitsArchive.com offers older obituaries but requires a paid subscription to view full results.
GenealogyBank.com includes historical newspaper obits and is especially useful for family history research.
If you're having trouble finding a match, try searching for nicknames, middle names, or spelling variations (like Jon vs. John). Even small changes can help surface hidden results.
Check local funeral homes and cemeteries
Many funeral homes post obituaries directly on their websites, often including service details, photos, and guestbook messages. If you know where the person lived or passed away, try a quick Google search using their name along with the city and the phrase "funeral home." For example: "Maria Lopez funeral home Atlanta."
If you don't see anything online, it's worth calling local funeral homes directly - especially if the death was recent. Some obituaries are delayed or only shared by request.
Cemeteries can also be helpful. Larger cemeteries sometimes list burial records or host online memorial pages with basic information about the deceased, including birth and death dates.
Search newspaper websites or archives
Local newspapers are another source for obituaries, especially if the person passed away before online databases became common. Start by checking the newspaper in the city or town where the person lived or died. Many papers have a dedicated obituary section on their website. You can also use Google to search the site directly - for example, type: site:baltimoresun.com John Smith obituary.
If the obituary isn't available online, check with the local public library. Many libraries keep newspaper archives on microfilm or have access to digital databases. Staff can often help with obituary lookups if you have an approximate date of death.
For older obituaries, try:
Newspapers.com, one of the largest newspaper archives, but requires a paid subscription
Chronicling America, a free resource from the Library of Congress with digitized newspapers dating back to the 1700s
Use social media and online memorials
Social media can be surprisingly helpful when searching for an obituary. Friends and family often share announcements on platforms like Facebook or Twitter/X. Try searching for the person's name along with phrases like "passed away," "rest in peace," or "celebration of life."
You can also check dedicated memorial websites such as FindAGrave.com and ForeverMissed.com, where people create tribute pages that often include photos, stories, and funeral information. These memorials may not appear in standard search engines, so it's worth checking them directly.
Try government and public records
If you can't find an obituary, government records can help confirm whether someone has passed away. The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a good starting point, especially for deaths before the 2010s. You can also request a death certificate from the state's vital records office, though there may be a fee. Some states, like California and Texas, have searchable online death records available to the public.
What if you can't find one?
Not everyone has a published obituary. This is common if the person died recently, had a small or private service, or didn't have close family. If you're still looking, try reaching out to relatives, churches, or local organizations that may have been involved. And if you feel moved to do so, you can always write and post your own tribute online to honor their life and memory.
A note from the studio
Obituaries can bring comfort, connection, and a deeper understanding of someone's life. Even if you start with limited information, the right tools and a little persistence can go a long way. Begin with online searches, follow up with local sources, and don't be afraid to make a few calls. The story you're looking for is often within reach.