Obituaries look up gives you instant access to death notices, funeral announcements, and memorial records from over 5,000 newspapers, funeral homes, and government archives across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and more than 30 European countries. Whether you’re searching for a recent passing or tracing family history back over a century, these tools deliver verified, digitized records with full-text search, location filters, and downloadable PDFs. Major platforms like Legacy.com, Tributes.com, and OBITUARe.com index hundreds of millions of entries, some dating to 1901, while free services like ObitIndex.com and public library databases offer no-cost alternatives without registration. This page shows you exactly where to search, how to refine results, and which sources provide the most complete data for genealogy, legal verification, or personal remembrance.
Top Obituary Search Platforms – Compare Coverage & Features
Different obituary databases serve different needs. Some focus on recent deaths with multimedia tributes, while others preserve century-old newspaper scans for historical research. Below is a breakdown of the most trusted platforms, their coverage areas, date ranges, and unique features.
Legacy.com – Largest Network of Newspaper & Funeral Home Obituaries
Legacy.com aggregates notices from over 1,500 newspapers and 3,500 funeral home websites. It covers the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and 30+ European nations. Users can search by full name, city, state, or keywords like “veteran” or “teacher.” Records go back to 1995, with many including original PDF scans, memorial videos, donation links, and guestbook comments. The database holds hundreds of millions of entries from the early 2000s onward.
OBITUARe.com – 250,000+ Recent Entries with Memorial Pages
OBITUARe.com hosts more than 250,000 recent obituaries updated daily. Visitors select country, state, and city to narrow results. Each listing links to a memorial page with guest books, photo galleries, service times, and burial locations. The site is free, requires no login, and supports mobile-friendly browsing.
https://www.obituare.com/obituary-search/
Tributes.com – Historical Records Back to 1901 with Alerts
Tributes.com lets users search by name, city, state, and custom date range. It returns both recent and historical notices, some from 1901. Results include full-text obituaries, scanned newspaper clips, and optional PDF downloads. The platform also offers email alerts for new obituaries matching a surname, location, or keyword, plus funeral home notifications and celebrity death summaries.
https://www.tributes.com/search/obituaries
NewspaperArchive® – Genealogy-Focused with Census Cross-Reference
NewspaperArchive® provides birth and death dates, places, surviving family names, occupations, military service, and organizational memberships. These details can be cross-referenced with U.S. census records for deeper genealogical research. Coverage includes small-town weeklies and major dailies from the 1800s to today. Subscription required.
https://newspaperarchive.com/obituaries/us/
Dignity Memorial – 1 Million+ Listings with Printable Memorial Cards
Dignity Memorial displays over one million obituaries sorted by most recent first. Each entry includes age, biography, service location, printable memorial card, “Send Flowers” option, memorial fund link, and guest book. Example: Michael Gene Umbenhaur (1946–2022) from Citrus Heights, California, with full service details and tribute options.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries
ObitIndex.com – Free Search Across 3,000+ U.S. Newspapers
ObitIndex.com indexes obituaries and death notices from more than 3,000 U.S. newspapers. The free search engine returns full-text notices, publication dates, and direct links to newspaper archives. No registration needed. Ideal for quick, no-cost lookups.
How to Search Obituaries by Location – City, State & Newspaper Archives
Many users need obituaries from specific cities or regions. Local newspapers often maintain their own archives, which may not appear in national databases. Below are real examples with direct links.
Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Cathleen Cecile Kinnick, age 71, died August 4, 2022, in Milwaukee. Born October 19, 1950, to Carl and Cecil Mack, she was a retired elementary teacher and food bank volunteer. Survived by children, service at St. Mary’s Church, with donations suggested to the Milwaukee Public Library.
https://www.jsonline.com/obituaries/
Akron, OH – Akron Beacon Journal
Richard D. Fischmann, age 89, passed away August 3, 2022, in Barberton, Ohio. Born April 29, 1933, in Akron to Harry and Irene Fischmann. Served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, worked 35 years at the Akron Beacon Journal, lifelong Rotary Club member. Service at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, donations to Veteran’s Assistance Fund.
https://www.beaconjournal.com/obituaries/
Free vs. Paid Obituary Search – Which Option Works Best?
Free services like ObitIndex.com and public library archives work well for recent or local searches. Paid platforms such as Ancestry.com, GenealogyBank, and NewspaperArchive® offer deeper historical coverage, advanced filters, and verified data. Most paid plans cost $5–$10/month. For legal or genealogical use, paid services are recommended due to higher accuracy and completeness.
Free Options
- ObitIndex.com – 3,000+ U.S. newspapers, no login
- Library of Congress Chronicling America – Historic U.S. newspapers (1777–1963)
- State library digital collections – Varies by state; often free with library card
- Local historical societies – May have scanned obituary books or microfilm
Paid Options
- Ancestry.com – 20+ billion records, including obituaries, census, military
- GenealogyBank – Newspaper archives with obituary focus, 1690–present
- NewspaperArchive® – 400+ million pages, strong genealogy tools
- Legacy.com Premium – Ad-free, enhanced search, print options
Advanced Search Tips – Get Better Results Faster
Use these strategies to improve your obituary look up success rate:
- Try multiple name formats: “Robert Smith,” “Bob Smith,” “R. J. Smith”
- Search by middle name or initial: Many obituaries use full middle names
- Include occupation or organization: “John Doe teacher” or “Mary Lee veteran”
- Use date ranges: If you know the death month, limit search to that period
- Check alternate spellings: “O’Brien” vs. “OBrien,” “Gonzalez” vs. “Gonzales”
- Search spouse or parent names: Some notices list only family members
Obituary Alerts & Notifications – Stay Updated Automatically
Tributes.com allows users to create personalized obituary alerts. Enter a surname, city, school, employer, or keyword, and receive email notifications when new matching notices appear. You can also set up funeral home alerts for your area or track celebrity deaths daily. Alerts help families stay informed and researchers monitor trends.
Genealogy & Legal Use – How Obituaries Support Research
Obituaries provide vital clues for family history and legal matters. They often list birthplaces, parents’ names, siblings, children, spouses, military service, and burial locations. These details help verify identities, locate living relatives, or confirm dates for probate, inheritance, or historical documentation. Always cross-check with official records like death certificates when accuracy is critical.
Key Data Points in Obituaries
| Information Type | Common Use |
|---|---|
| Full name & aliases | Identity confirmation |
| Birth & death dates | Timeline building |
| Place of residence | Location tracking |
| Surviving family | Relative identification |
| Occupation | Career history |
| Military service | Veteran benefits, honors |
| Funeral home | Service verification |
| Burial location | Grave site research |
Public Libraries & Government Resources – Free Access Points
Many public libraries offer free access to obituary databases through partnerships with Ancestry or NewspaperArchive®. Visit your local library’s website or ask a librarian about digital resources. The Library of Congress’s Chronicling America project provides free access to historic U.S. newspapers, including obituaries, from 1777 to 1963. State archives may also have death indexes or scanned funeral home records.
https://publiclibraries.com/obituaries/
Related Public Records – Expand Your Search Beyond Obituaries
Obituaries often reference other public documents. Use these links to find court filings, birth certificates, or law enforcement records that may support your research.
- Washington State Court Records
- Public Information Services
- Clark County Sheriff Indiana
- How To Apply For Copy Of Birth Certificate
- Gage County Court Records
Common Questions About Obituary Searches
People often ask how far back records go, whether searches are private, and if photos are included. Most platforms do not track individual searches, and results are public record. Photos appear in about 60% of recent obituaries, especially on Legacy.com and Dignity Memorial. Historical notices rarely include images but may describe appearance or include scanned newspaper photos.
Why Accuracy Matters – Avoiding Misinformation
Not all obituary databases are equally reliable. Free sites may have typos, outdated links, or incomplete data. Paid services use editorial review and source verification. For legal or medical genealogy, always confirm details with official documents. When in doubt, contact the funeral home or newspaper directly using contact info listed in the notice.
Mobile-Friendly Obituary Search – Search on Any Device
All major platforms including Legacy.com, Tributes.com, and OBITUARe.com are optimized for mobile use. You can search, view PDFs, leave tributes, and share links from smartphones or tablets. Some sites offer apps for iOS and Android with push notifications for new obituaries in your area.
Privacy & Ethical Considerations
Obituaries are public records, but respect the family’s grief. Avoid sharing sensitive details online unless authorized. Do not use obituary data for marketing, spam, or identity theft. Most platforms prohibit automated scraping and require human review for bulk access.
Final Tips for Success
Start with free tools like ObitIndex.com for quick checks. Use Legacy.com or Tributes.com for recent deaths with multimedia. For history, try NewspaperArchive® or Chronicling America. Always verify critical info with official sources. Set up alerts if you’re tracking a family name long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions about obituary look up, with clear, actionable answers based on current data and best practices.
How far back do online obituary records go?
Most free databases start around 1995, when digital archiving became common. Paid services like Tributes.com and NewspaperArchive® offer records dating to 1901 or earlier. The Library of Congress’s Chronicling America project includes U.S. newspapers from 1777 to 1963, with many obituaries preserved. Coverage varies by region—urban areas tend to have longer digital histories than rural towns. For pre-1900 research, microfilm at libraries or state archives may be necessary.
Can I search obituaries without paying?
Yes. ObitIndex.com, public library portals, and newspaper websites often provide free access. ObitIndex.com indexes over 3,000 U.S. newspapers with no registration. Local libraries may offer free access to Ancestry or NewspaperArchive® with a library card. The Library of Congress’s Chronicling America is completely free and includes millions of historic pages. While paid services offer more features and depth, free options work well for recent or local searches.
Are obituary searches private?
Obituary databases do not typically track individual searches or require login for basic lookups. However, leaving a comment, sending flowers, or creating an alert may require an account. Your activity on those features could be visible to others. The search itself is not logged publicly. Always review a site’s privacy policy if concerned about data use.
What if I can’t find an obituary?
Try alternate name spellings, middle names, or search by family members. Check multiple platforms—some newspapers only publish on one site. If the person died recently, the notice may not be online yet. Contact the funeral home or newspaper directly. For historical cases, visit a local library or historical society with physical archives.
Do obituaries include photos?
About 60% of recent obituaries include at least one photo, especially on Legacy.com, Dignity Memorial, and Tributes.com. Historical notices rarely have images but may describe the person or include scanned newspaper photos. Always check the memorial page linked from the obituary listing for galleries or video tributes.
Can I correct an error in an obituary?
Contact the funeral home or newspaper that published the notice. Most platforms allow corrections through their support team. Provide proof of the error, such as a birth certificate or family statement. Legacy.com and Tributes.com have dedicated forms for obituary updates. Changes may take 24–48 hours to appear.
Are obituary alerts reliable?
Tributes.com and Legacy.com offer reliable email alerts based on name, location, or keyword. Alerts are triggered when new notices match your criteria. Delivery speed depends on how quickly the funeral home or newspaper submits the obituary. False positives can occur with common names, so review each alert carefully.
Contact & Support
For help with specific platforms, use the official contact information below:
- Legacy.com – https://www.legacy.com | Support: support@legacy.com | Phone: (800) 773-0066 | Hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM CT
- Tributes.com – http://tributes.com | Support: info@tributes.com | Phone: (888) 500-8888 | Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM EST
- Dignity Memorial – https://www.dignitymemorial.com | Phone: (800) 455-5555 | 24/7 funeral services
- OBITUARe.com – https://www.obituare.com | Contact form only | Response within 48 hours
Visit the official websites for the most current contact details and support options.