FAQs
Obituaries in Massachusetts and other parts of New England can generally be found in the local town or county papers. Many obituaries for Boston and the surrounding area can be found in: Boston Athenaeum. Index of Obituaries in Boston Newspapers, 1704-1800.
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.
How can I find out if someone died in Massachusetts? ›
Ordering a certified death record is a process that can be initiated at the State Registry of Vital Records. It can also be ordered through any town or city clerk's office where the person last lived.
Who is typically listed in an obituary? ›
Usually people include names of a spouse, parents, children (with any spouse's names listed in parenthesis), grandchildren and great grandchildren. You may choose to list grandchildren and great grandchildren individually by name, or simply include the number of each.
How can I check if someone has died? ›
Regardless of your reason, pursuing one (or any combination of) these six options should help answer your questions:
- Online.
- Social Media.
- Word of Mouth.
- The Newspaper or Local News.
- Archive Facilities.
- Government Records.
How do you find a person who passed away? ›
Local newspapers, obituary pages, and social media can help you determine whether someone recently died. States and the U.S. government have online death records (sometimes called death indexes) for deaths within the past 50 years or so.
Is there an app for local obituaries? ›
MyObits: Obituary Listings on the App Store.
Do people still publish obituaries? ›
No, obituaries are not legally required, but many choose to include them in their End-of-Life Plan as a part of their estate plan.
What to say when an old person dies? ›
What do you say when someone dies?
- "I'm sorry for your loss. I'm here for you."
- "My condolences on your loved one's passing. May their memory bring you comfort.“
- “I extend my deepest sympathy to you. ...
- "Thinking of you, sending love and support.“
- "We're saddened by the news. ...
- "Heartfelt condolences. ...
- "You're not alone.
Obituary Example: Announcing the Funeral
[Full name], [age], of [where they lived], sadly left us on [date of death] due to [cause of death]. They leave behind [list of surviving family members]. A service will be held in their honor at [time] on [date] at [location].
How do I find relatives of a deceased person? ›
How To Search For and Find Possible Living Relatives – Research...
- Facebook and LinkedIn. ...
- Obituary. ...
- Online Phone Directories. ...
- City Telephone Directories. ...
- PIPL People Search Database. ...
- Google. ...
- Conclusion.
How are grandchildren listed in obituaries? ›
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).
Who normally reads the obituary at a funeral? ›
This reading may be performed by a family member, a close friend, or a designated individual. The purpose of the obituary reading is to share important details about the deceased person's life, allowing everyone present to reflect on their accomplishments, relationships, and contributions.
How do I find the maiden name in an obituary? ›
When writing an obituary for a woman who had a maiden name, simply write her first name and then in parentheses write her maiden name and then her married last name. For instance, Laura (Ingalls) Wilder, Marie (Sklodowska) Curie or Julia (McWilliams) Childs.