FUNERAL HOME RECORDS

Funeral Home Records are a valuable tool in your research. Some states require that funeral homes keep a 3 x 5 card on each of the people they have at their home. Some local funeral homes may keep records over and beyond that which is required by law. Yes, a possible "Gold Mine" of information. Remember, you are a prospective customer so if you show up in person and they are not busy, you might get the royal treatment but if they are busy make an appointment to come back later. Small town funeral homes are more likely to keep additional information because it is their community and their friends.

  Another clue is the local funeral homes know where all the local cemeteries are and how to get to them.

  

If you mail a letter to the funeral home always include a self-addressed stamped envelope and maybe $5.00 for their time and effort in your request.  Always remember they do not have to give you the information you request but most of the time they will work with you.

Your link to finding a funeral home close to your home or your area research:   www.funeral-dir.com

    Funeral home records can usually be found in the public or genealogical library in the county where the funeral home is located. This is often overlooked but is a very valuable source in your research. The 3 x 5 card often kept by the funeral home is just full of clues, such as the date of your ancestor’s death or their parent’s names taht often appear along with a maiden name. A window to the past has just been opened. It should include a possible spouse, children and a place of burial too. The funeral home might even provide a map to the cemetery too. Some funeral homes keep a copy of the obituary paper clipped to the funeral card along with a death certificate. Please do not expect that all funeral homes go the extra mile but you never really know if you do not ask.

   Here is a "just because I asked" story. I was searching in Knoxville, TN  for ancestors and stopped at a local funeral home.   Well, one of the funeral home employees had a very interesting hobby. He took pictures of unique tombstones as he was at work after funeral services. Below is one he took of my Great-great-great-great Grandparents! Yes, that is my fourth Great Grandparents’ tombstone found on private property in a very old cemetery called Kidd Cemetery in Knox County, Tennessee. What are the odds, about a million to one if not more and that is on a very good day!

Remember – Rome was not built in a day but it was started in a day.

With funeral home records, death certificates and tombstones you should have a very good toe hold on your research.