FAQs
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.
How do I find a local obituary? ›
Most of the time, if an obituary is available online, you will be able to find it with a Google search. However, if you still fail to see the results you want, consider looking through the websites of local funeral homes or newspapers. Unfortunately, you may have to pay to access content in a local online paper.
What is an obituary in local newspaper? ›
An obituary is a brief written summary of a deceased person's life. It includes a list of surviving family members and is typically found in local newspapers or online news sites. The deceased's family often crafts the obituary, but a publication's staff can also complete the task.
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.
What is the difference between a death notice and an obituary? ›
Death notices are short and to the point—Name, date of death and where/when the services will be held. However, the obituaries highlight the deceased's community involvement, accomplishments, interests and survivor's names of the beloved.
Can you search if someone has died? ›
Can you check death records online? You can. The process is generally straightforward. However, if you lack details about the deceased person, such as their name and approximate date of death, obtaining additional information like the cause of death or burial place may prove challenging.
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.
Is there an app for local obituaries? ›
MyObits: Obituary Listings on the App Store.
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.
Why would someone not want an obituary? ›
Some may feel that it is too personal or private to share with the public, while others may not have the financial means to pay for its publication. Additionally, some families may prefer to grieve privately and not draw attention to the death.
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).
Are obituaries required in NY? ›
In NY, there is no legal mandate to publish an obituary in a newspaper when someone dies. The official state paperwork is a death certificate, which is filed with the state's office of vital statistics by a medical certifier or a licensed funeral home director, not by the family of the deceased individual.
Who gets an obituary in The New York Times? ›
On average, we publish obituaries on about three of them.” Here, William McDonald explains the process of a Times obituary: We start with a paper-thin fraction of the total — the deaths we happen to hear about, usually by email or from a wire service or other news outlet — and then get choosy.