Search Tools for Finding Graves
Gravesites are often so much more than a final resting place for a deceased loved one. In many cases, famous cemeteries and celebrity graves become a draw for tourists, historians, and locals interested in paying their respects. Almost all cemeteries are open to the public, and although there might be restrictions regarding headstone rubbings or leaving flowers or other items at the grave, you can usually visit any grave you wish.
If you’re looking for the grave of a certain person – whether a celebrity, important historical figure, or an ancestor of your own – there are great online resources you can turn to for help.
• FindaGrave.com offers one of the most comprehensive resources, with a focus on celebrities and famous historical figures. Thousands of people around the world contribute information to the site, which adds quite a bit of depth overall. (The Tombstone Transcription Project does similar work.)
• For those hoping to search for family members or the graves of less public figures, Interment.net is a good resource. It is used primarily as a research point for historians, genealogists, and those researching their own family histories. Ancestry.com, one of the top online research points for family genealogy, offers a a similar state-by-state resource through their Genealogy Look Up Forum.
• The Cemetery Junction Directory offers almost the same level of genealogical research opportunities as Interment.net, but with a focus on Canada and Australia, as well as the United States.
• For information on the gravesites of U.S. veterans (as well as burial options and other veteran resources), the National Cemeteries site offered through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs offers a great place to start looking.
• Local city and state death records might also have information on graves in your area, and you can usually ask at a library or city records office to learn more.
Although most of these cemetery look-up sites are free to use, there are additional online options that come with a charge. When searching for graves or burial sites on the web, be sure and use the same discretion you would with any online transaction. Check the site with the Better Business Bureau, and be wary of anything that requires your personal information or a payment.
Finding the burial sites of famous people or family members can be an interesting and informative journey. Looking online is a great way to find a starting point, but few experiences are better than simply visiting a cemetery and exploring for yourself.
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