Obituaries
celebrate life stories.
With obituaries, you can gain a deeper level of understanding about your ancestors—who they were, what they cared about, and how they lived.
Search our obituary
collection now.
What are obituaries?
An obituary is a brief biography often written by a close relative, friend, or sometimes colleague that celebrates the life of a passed loved one. Traditionally, obituaries are published in newspapers.
An obituary can help you discover rich details about your ancestor's life.
Use our obituary search to find obits for ancestors or family, and you could uncover intriguing and intimate facts like:
- Their family, friends, and loved ones
- Education, career, and hobbies
- Awards and distinctions
- Personal anecdotes
About our online obituary collection:
We have collected obituaries published in newspapers from the United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Canada. Though they can vary in details and length, each obit tells a unique life story.
A deeper look into obituaries.
Obituaries offer a biographical sketch of your ancestors, outlining the events that shaped their lives. Understanding these events can give you insight into the journey that made your family who they are today.
During your obituary search, you'll undoubtedly find other research avenues opening up. An obituary can yield clues about relationships of the deceased, organizations they were affiliated with, and the location of hospital and cemetery records.
Become a member to access our obituary collection, as well as billions of other family history records, to help you uncover your rich family story.