FAQs
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.
Why are some obituaries not published? ›
Obituaries are not required by law , so the deceased's family might have chosen to forego publishing one. Publishing an obituary can be expensive , and the funds may be unavailable. The deceased has few family members or friends , so there might have, unfortunately, been no need for an obituary.
Why can't I find my friends obituary? ›
There could be several reasons why you're having difficulty finding an obituary. The person you're looking for may not have had an obituary, the newspaper that published it could have gone out of business, or it could have never been saved or digitized.
Do obituaries list cause of death? ›
It is preferable, when applicable, to include the age at death and a personal comment such as “surrounded by family” or “comforted by his wife.” NB: Sometimes it is desirable to omit the cause of death – such as when death came as a result of extreme violence, or the carrying out of a court sentence.
How do I find local obituaries? ›
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.
How do you find out if a person 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.
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.
Is it disrespectful not to have an obituary? ›
Posting an obituary is not a legal requirement and is a sentimental action. Families don't have to publish one if they don't want it or do not have the funds to do so. While you do not have to share a death note or obituary, you must file a death certificate with your state's office.
What should you not include in an obituary? ›
In most cases, obituaries do not include the names or nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws unless they were close to the deceased. Grandchildren are sometimes listed but often numbered instead (…he leaves behind 5 grandchildren).
How do I find an obituary for a specific person in New York? ›
New York Public Library subscribes to many databases that can help researchers locate obituaries and death notices. The most useful are our newspaper databases. Oftentimes obituaries can be located by entering a person's name and week of death into the newspapers databases.
Tips for coping with the death of an old friend
Know that any bereavement can trigger feelings and emotions. Reach out to friends or family that might have known the person that died. Often we want to connect with those that knew the person. But not everyone feels the same so take their lead.
Is it weird to share an obituary on Facebook? ›
Newspapers still publish obituaries, but today many families choose to make death announcements on social media. While some people may find this to be poor etiquette, a social media post actually isn't that different than an obituary.
What is the most common cause of sudden death? ›
While many different diseases can result in a fatal chain reaction in the body, SCD is a common cause. According to a 2022 comprehensive review, cardiovascular causes account for up to 73% of sudden deaths. This is compared with other conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, and intracerebral hemorrhage.
Do people steal identities from obituaries? ›
When someone you love dies, be mindful about what you include in their obituary. Sadly, identity thieves can mine personally identifiable information (PII) like a person's birth date, address, and mother's maiden name from obituaries and other digital records (for example, social media accounts).
Do some people not do obituaries? ›
Of course, in the places where death notices are free, some people may not know that and may not publish notices when loved ones die because they have heard that obituaries are expensive. My anecdotal evidence, though, does support my view that in many communities, death notices are free.
How do I find obituaries in the USA? ›
Obituaries and death notices are best located by looking up a person's name in a printed index, an index on a database, a full-text database, or a website that compiles obituaries.
Is there an app for local obituaries? ›
MyObits: Obituary Listings on the App Store.
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.
How do I find an obituary in Florida? ›
Begin by entering the name of the person, the word obituary, and “Florida” into your favorite search engine. If the deceased had a common name, you might need to add additional search terms, such as the name of a family member, the town where they lived, or the date of death.