Fast and Easy Obituary Searches (and Finds) Online

Whether you're looking for an obituary of a relative or old friend or whether you're a genealogist searching into the past, you can find much of what you need right online these days. There are several methods for searching for online obituaries, both using a regular search engine and working through websites that post obituaries and other information. It's usually best to begin with the former and expand your search if you don't get results.

The Search Engine Method

The fastest and easiest way to find an obituary online is the search engine method. Open up your favorite search engine, and type in the person's name followed by “obituary.” Then see what appears in the results list. If the name is common, you may have to add a year or a full date to your search. These days, most funeral homes post obituaries online that you can access for free, and your search results may take you to one of them. Postings typically go back several years. Online obituaries from newspapers may also come up, sometimes with paywalls.

Websites With Obituaries

Sometimes the search engine method will fail, especially if you're looking for an older obituary. In this case, you'll have to turn to the many websites that feature obituaries. Look for genealogy websites from the location the person lived. Many of these offer a collection of obituaries scanned and indexed by volunteers. Also, check out the Family Search, Ancestry, and Find a Grave websites. These, too, often have obituaries, sometimes posted by genealogists sharing their family trees or by people who have indexed cemeteries. Look at other genealogy sharing and information sites, too, for they offer further ideas for searching.