As we give you tips for finding obituaries in Washington state, consider the purpose of your search. It’s important to remember that official death records differ from obituaries and death notices.
An obituary tells the main facts of a person’s life and death. It typically lists the deceased’s family members, birth and death dates, education, occupation, and the location where they lived – and died. This information is helpful if you want to learn more about the person’s life for family history research.
However, you may simply want to know if someone has passed.
If the person died between 1891 and 1943, search the Washington State Digital Archives or the Washington State Library website.
In addition, the Washington State Department of Health has death records from July 1, 1907, to the present. There are three types of Washington death documents: long-form and short-form death certificates or a non-certified copy of a death record.
However, only “individuals with specific qualifying relationships” can receive a copy of a death certificate. Identity and proof of qualifying relationship documentation are required. To access these records, you must also provide the following three pieces of information.
- First and last name of the deceased person.
- Death date (or approximate death date)
- City or county of death.
You may also find out about a person’s death by searching church, census, or cemetery records.
How to Do a Washington Obituary Search
While you might gain helpful information by looking at death certificates, you can still find more personal information about a person by reading their obituary. Even though obituaries or death notices aren’t official government documents, an obituary will give you an account of that person’s life.
Obituaries were typically published in newspapers and on funeral programs. Of course, modern obituaries can be found on social media, print and online newspapers, obituary websites, and funeral home websites. Many people keep old obituaries of their close and extended family and friends.
Here are some places to find Washington obituaries.
Search for free obituary records.
Begin your research by conducting a free obituary search online. You may be able to find obituaries on a funeral home website or online newspaper. And depending on the situation – you may be able to access this information for free.
The Library of Congress’s Chronicling America project is an exciting national newspaper database program. In 2022, the program announced that participants had digitally archived 20 million newspaper pages. You may be able to find the obituary through this source.
Search paid obituary sites.
Much work has been done in recent years to make digital records of old newspapers (as well as those previously stored on a microfilm machine.) However, you may have to pay to access these digitized newspapers. Two popular sources are Newspapers (from Ancestry) and GenealogyBank.
If you know the place of death, you can search online for local obituary research services. In addition, highly trained researchers can search local libraries or church records to find the information you seek.
Search family records.
If you are searching for an ancestor’s obituary, ask family members. Typically, family archivists keep scrapbooks full of information – including funeral programs and obituary records.
Smart Cremation Offers Affordable Direct Cremation Services in Washington
For low-cost direct cremation services in Washington, contact Smart Cremation. Smart Cremation offers immediate need or pre-planned cremation services. Contact a member of our team to discuss your needs. And, as a service to the families, we also publish Washington obituaries on our website.
Key Takeaways About Finding Death Notices or Obituaries in Washington
- Obituaries and death notices are typically published in print and online newspapers and printed in a funeral program. You can also find obituaries on funeral home or cremation provider websites.
- Some newspapers are digitized. Some of those are available for free online. Others require a subscription to access.
- Search family members’ archives or hire a genealogy researcher to find obituaries in Washington that are unavailable online.
