Finding obituaries in the U.S. by name is relatively straightforward, thanks to the availability of online databases, newspaper archives, and other resources. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Use Online Obituary Databases
Several websites specialize in collecting and organizing obituaries, making it easy to search by name:
Legacy.com: One of the most popular and comprehensive online obituary databases. Simply enter the name of the deceased in the search bar.
Tributes.com: Similar to Legacy.com, this site allows you to search by name, date, and location.
GenealogyBank.com: Offers a large collection of historical newspapers, including obituaries. It’s a paid service, but it’s very comprehensive.
Ancestry.com: Primarily a genealogy site, it has an extensive collection of old newspapers and obituaries. It’s also a paid service.
FindAGrave.com: Focuses on cemetery records but often includes obituary information. You can search by name and location.
2. Search Newspaper Websites
Many newspapers have digital archives where obituaries are searchable by name:
Local Newspapers: Visit the website of the local newspaper where the deceased lived. Many newspapers have a search function where you can enter the person’s name to find obituaries.
National Newspapers: If the person was prominent, consider searching in national newspapers like The New York Times or The Washington Post.
3. Use Public Library Resources
Public libraries often provide access to newspaper archives and obituary databases:
Digital Newspaper Collections: Many libraries offer access to databases like ProQuest or NewsBank, where you can search for obituaries by name.
Physical Archives: Visit the local library where the deceased lived. Many libraries keep back issues of local newspapers, either in print or on microfilm.
4. Visit Genealogy Websites
Genealogy websites often have obituary databases or access to newspaper archives:
FamilySearch.org: A free site operated by the LDS Church, which has a vast collection of historical records, including obituaries.
Ancestry.com: As mentioned earlier, this site has extensive records, including obituaries, searchable by name.
5. Explore State and Regional Archives
State and regional archives may have digitized collections of local newspapers:
State Libraries: Many state libraries have online newspaper archives or can guide you to where obituaries might be found.
Regional Archives: These archives might have collections specific to a certain area or time period.
6. Check Funeral Home Websites
Many funeral homes maintain online obituary archives:
Funeral Home Websites: If you know the funeral home that handled the deceased’s services, visit their website. They often keep digital copies of obituaries that you can search by name.
7. Utilize Social Media and Forums
Social media and online forums can sometimes help locate an obituary:
Facebook Groups: Join groups related to genealogy or local history, where members might assist in finding an obituary by name.
Reddit: Subreddits like r/Genealogy are communities where people help each other find historical records, including obituaries.
8. Contact the Newspaper Directly
If you know which newspaper likely published the obituary:
Newspaper Archives Department: Contact the newspaper’s archives department. They can often search their records for you, though there may be a fee.
9. Use Google Search
Sometimes, a simple Google search can bring up an obituary:
Search by Name and Location: Try searching the person’s name along with the word “obituary” and their location. For example, “John Doe obituary New York.”
By following these steps, you can often find the obituary you’re looking for by name in the U.S.

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