Free Guide to Finding Graves in Cemeteries

Understanding Cemetery Records and How They're Organized

Cemeteries maintain records in different ways depending on their age, size, and location. Some cemeteries use digital databases that you can search online, while others keep paper records in filing systems that require a visit in person. Understanding how your local cemetery organizes information will save you time and frustration when searching for a specific grave.

Free Guide to JavaScript Settings and Web Browser Security →

Most cemeteries organize graves by section, block, or lot number. When you visit a cemetery office or contact them by phone, staff members will ask you for the deceased person's full name and approximate year of death. With this information, they can look up the grave location in their records. Some cemeteries also maintain alphabetical indexes that list every person buried there. These indexes typically include the person's name, date of death, section number, and lot number.

Modern cemeteries increasingly use computer systems to track burial records. These databases allow cemetery staff to search quickly and provide you with precise directions to a grave. Older cemeteries, particularly those established in the 1800s or early 1900s, may rely on hand-written ledgers or card catalogs. These records can be harder to search through, but they often contain interesting details about the deceased, such as their age at death or family relationships.

Some cemeteries now offer online searchable maps and databases on their websites. You can enter a person's name and sometimes see their exact location displayed on a cemetery map. This technology makes the process faster and allows you to plan your visit before arriving. However, not all cemeteries have adopted this technology, particularly smaller family cemeteries or those in rural areas.

Practical takeaway: Before visiting a cemetery, call or check their website to learn whether they have online records you can search. If they do, use these tools first. If not, ask the cemetery office what information they'll need from you to locate a grave, and have that information ready when you visit or call.

What Information You'll Need When Searching

Having the right information before you begin your search dramatically increases your chances of finding a grave quickly. The most important detail is the full name of the deceased person. Cemetery staff can usually locate a grave with just a name and year of death, but additional information makes the search even more reliable.

Get Your Free Guide to AARP Discounts for Seniors →

The deceased person's full name is essential. This means first name, middle name, and last name. If you only know a nickname or shortened version of a name, ask older family members if they know the full legal name. For example, "Robert" might actually be "Robert James," and "Maggie" might be "Margaret Ellen." Cemetery records typically list legal names as they appeared on death certificates, not nicknames.

The year of death or approximate date helps narrow down the search, especially in large cemeteries where many people may share the same name. If you don't know the exact year, providing a range—such as "sometime in the 1980s"—still helps. You can often find death dates by searching family records, obituaries in newspaper archives, or online genealogy websites.

Additional helpful information includes the person's age at death, birthplace, or names of family members buried nearby. Some cemeteries track spouse information, parent names, or children's names in their records. If the person was a military veteran, providing military service information can help cemetery staff locate the grave, especially in military cemeteries or cemetery sections reserved for veterans.

If you're searching for someone who may have been buried under a married name or maiden name, provide both versions. Women who changed their surnames after marriage may appear in cemetery records under either name, depending on when the cemetery recorded the information and which name the family provided at the time of burial.

Practical takeaway: Create a simple document with the full name of the person you're looking for, their approximate year of death, and any additional details you know about them. Keep this information with you when you visit the cemetery or have it ready when you call the cemetery office.

Visiting a Cemetery in Person

Visiting a cemetery to find a grave offers a personal experience and allows you to see the headstone and cemetery grounds directly. Many people find visiting graves to be meaningful, whether for remembrance, genealogy research, or family history purposes. Knowing what to expect during a cemetery visit helps you prepare appropriately.

Learn About Preparing Burdock Root at Home →

Start your visit at the cemetery office, usually located near the main entrance. The office staff can provide you with directions to the grave and sometimes a map showing the section and lot numbers. They may also explain the cemetery layout, such as whether sections are named alphabetically, numerically, or by themed names. Some cemeteries have different burial areas for different time periods, so staff can direct you to the right general area before you begin searching.

If the cemetery doesn't have an office or it's closed when you visit, look for a posted map near the entrance. Many cemeteries display large maps showing sections and lot numbers. You can take a photo of the map with your phone and use it for navigation. If no map is available, the information you gathered by phone or online will guide you to the correct section.

When walking through the cemetery, move slowly and check row numbers and lot numbers as you go. Grave markers typically sit flush with the ground or stand upright. In sections with many graves close together, you may need to walk slowly and read multiple headstones to find the correct one. Pay attention to both the deceased's name and dates to confirm you've found the right grave.

Bring appropriate clothing and footwear. Cemetery grounds are often uneven, with grass, gravel, or soil. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Weather conditions matter too—bring sunscreen, water, and a hat for sunny days, or an umbrella for rain. If you're visiting to leave flowers or other items at the grave, bring them with you.

Practical takeaway: Plan to visit during cemetery business hours so you can stop at the office for directions. Call ahead if you're uncertain about hours, especially for cemeteries that close at dusk or have limited weekday access.

Searching Cemeteries Online and by Phone

Many people search for graves without visiting the cemetery in person. Online searches and phone inquiries work well when you want to verify information, locate relatives' graves in distant locations, or gather information before planning a visit. Both methods can provide the grave location and sometimes even photographs of headstones.

Learn About Scholarships and Grants for Education →

Cemetery websites increasingly include searchable databases. You can visit a cemetery's website and look for a "find a grave" or "search records" option. These databases typically allow you to enter a person's name and search for matches in their records. Some sites display results with burial dates, section numbers, and lot numbers. A few cemeteries have linked their databases to online genealogy websites, allowing multiple search avenues from a single page.

If the cemetery doesn't have an online database, call the main office. Have your information ready, including the deceased person's full name and approximate year of death. Cemetery staff can usually look up this information within minutes and provide you with a lot number, section name, and directions. Ask if they can email or mail you a map with the location marked, which is especially helpful if you plan to visit later.

Online genealogy and grave-finding websites like FindAGrave.com contain millions of burial records and headstone photos contributed by volunteers. You can search these sites by name, location, and cemetery. Many entries include photographs of the actual headstone, dates, and sometimes family information. While these sites are not official cemetery records, they provide valuable supplemental information and can help you locate graves in cemeteries that don't maintain online databases.

Local historical societies, library special collections, and county records offices sometimes maintain cemetery records or indexes. These organizations may have digitized old cemetery records or created searchable indexes. Contacting these institutions can be particularly helpful when searching for graves in very old cemeteries or family burial grounds.

Practical takeaway: Start your search online by checking the cemetery's official website. If that doesn't yield results, try genealogy websites, then call the cemetery office directly with your information.

Reading Headstones and Understanding What You'll Find

Once you locate a grave, the headstone provides information beyond the person's name. Understanding what headstones typically display helps you confirm you've found the correct person and provides context about their life and family connections.

Free Guide to iPhone Photo Transfer Options →

Standard headstones display the deceased person's name, birth date, and death date. The format varies—some show "Born 1945—Died 2020," while others use