FAQs
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 a local obituary? ›
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.
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. Legacy Inc. Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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.
Are Pennsylvania death records online? ›
Birth and Death Records
Pennsylvania residents can access these records free of charge through Ancestry.com Pennsylvania.
Are death records public in Pennsylvania? ›
DVR maintains birth and death records registered in Pennsylvania from 1906 to the present. Legislation allows public access to birth and death records after a fixed amount of time has passed. Self-search of records housed at the Division of Vital Records (DVR) is not permitted. DVR staff must conduct all searches.
How can I check if someone has died? ›
7 ways to find out if someone has died recently
- Confirm with a mutual acquaintance. ...
- Check social media. ...
- Search for an online obituary. ...
- Online death indexes. ...
- Check with their house of worship. ...
- Local courthouse. ...
- Digital archives.
Is there an app for local obituaries? ›
MyObits: Obituary Listings on the App Store.
Are obituaries always published online? ›
Obituaries and death notices can be published by alumni organizations, religious or community institutions, and professional organizations, or online.
What is the best online obituary website? ›
Best online memorial websites
- ForeverMissed.com. Forever Missed is a cost-friendly option for those who want to collect and share memories of the loved one they have lost. ...
- MyKeeper.com. ...
- EverLoved.com. ...
- WeRemember.com. ...
- inmemori.com. ...
- never-gone.com. ...
- GatheringUs.com. ...
- Memories.net.
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.
Do you give money at a funeral? ›
At funerals, any form of monetary support to the grieving family is appreciated. You can offer $100 or more, if you wish to offer help. But it all depends on your financial conditions.
What does it mean when someone doesn't have an obituary? ›
The Deceased Did Not Want One. Before your loved one passes on, they may leave a special request not to have an obituary published, and this could be for many reasons. For example, if they had a complicated past or suffered from mental issues or addictions, they may wish to keep that private.
Do obituaries list cause of death? ›
Some people choose to include cause of death, but this is optional depending on how much information you would like to share. Generally any dates, times, and locations for public gatherings or services are also listed in the opening paragraph.
Is it weird to share an obituary on Facebook? ›
Once everyone close to your loved one knows, there's nothing wrong with spreading the news further through social media avenues. Sometimes, everyone who needs to know has been informed and you don't really need to spread the news farther.
How do I find out if someone died in Pennsylvania? ›
County Courthouses in Pennsylvania
Courthouses are important places to look for birth, marriage and death records. These are usually found in the Register of Wills office in each county. Records in the Recorder of Deeds offices can also be useful.
Can I view death certificates online for free PA? ›
Note: If you are a Pennsylvania resident, take advantage of the partnership between the Pennsylvania State Archives and Ancestry.com to digitize family history records in the State Archives and make them available online. This partnership entitles Pennsylvanians free access to these collections.