How to find an obituary for a specific person

Finding obituaries in Australia has never been easier, thanks to the multitude of online and offline resources available. Whether you're exploring your family history or searching for an obituary for a specific person, in this article, we will explore the best obituary search resources and provide guidance on utilising both online and offline tools to locate the obituary you are seeking.

Now, let us walk you through the process of finding an obituary for a specific person in Australia.

Find an obituary for a specific person

My Tributes provides a convenient online platform where you can access all obituaries for free. Here's how you can view them:

1. Visit mytributes.com.au and navigate to the "Obituaries & Eulogies" section: Look for the top banner on the website and choose the  "Obituaries & Eulogies" option.
2. Type the name of the specific person in the "Search obituaries & eulogies" bar and click "Go". 
3. This will generate a result. If your obituary search did not return any results, try checking the spelling. alternatively, you can explore all death and funeral notices and tributes and condolence listings. Here's' how you can do that:

How to find an obituary:

View death and funeral notices online:

My Tributes provides a convenient online platform where you can access all funeral and death notices as well as tributes and condolences for free. Here's how you can view them:

1. Visit mytributes.com.au and click on the "Notices" option in the top banner.
2. Select "View Death Notices" to access a list of all current death notices, organised by date.
3. Select "View Funeral Notices" to access a list of all current funeral notices, organised by date.
4. Use the "Search filter" located on the top banner and left hand side banner to narrow or widen your search by location, location radius, publication, date range - even funeral director. If you're interested in only viewing death or funeral notices, you can also select a specific category here too.
5. Click "Go" to see a list of all current notices in your area, sorted by date.

Find a specific death notice:

To locate a specific death notice on My Tributes, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit mytributes.com.au and enter the surname of the deceased person in the search bar.
2. If you have additional information, such as the location, you can include it in the menu to narrow down your search. You can widen or narrow your search further using the radius dropdown.
3. Click "Go" to view a list of all current notices with the specified surname, sorted by date.
4. Use the "Search filter" located on the top banner and left hand side banner to narrow or widen your search further.

Find historical notices online:

My Tributes' extensive archive dates back to 1991, offering a wealth of historical death, funeral and tribute notices. Here's how to explore historical notices:

1. After using the search methods mentioned above, you'll find a "Filter" button next to "Go" with three lines.
2. Click on the "Filter" button to add filters to your search.
3. You can refine your search by selecting a specific date range or publication.
4. Explore within your chosen filters to find more historical notices.

Public libraries:

Local libraries, particularly those located in the area where the deceased lived or died, are excellent resources for obituary archives. Libraries often subscribe to local newspapers and preserve them digitally or on microfilm. They may also provide free access to research sites and databases like Ancestry, HeritageQuest, or Newspapers.com. Librarians are knowledgeable and can assist you in narrowing your search and finding the obituary you seek.

Genealogy websites:

Genealogy websites can assist you in your search for an obituary for a specific person and ancestral information. Ancestry.com offers historical records, including obituaries, through paid subscription plans. MyHeritage.com provides genealogical records, including obituaries, during a free trial period. AfriGeneas.com specialises in African American genealogy and features resources for finding obituaries and death certificates.

Find notices in the newspaper:

If your local community newspaper no longer publishes obituaries or death and funeral notices, don't worry! You can still find them in most metropolitan state newspapers. My Tributes curates each day's notices in the My Tributes section of most News Corp Australia newspapers. Check these local and state newspapers to find the latest obituary, funeral and death notices:

• The Daily Telegraph
• Herald Sun
• The Courier-Mail
• The Advertiser
• Tweed Daily News
• Sunshine Coast Daily
• Warwick Daily News
• The Mercury
• The Gympie Times
• The Toowoomba Chronicle

Explore additional resources:

If you need access to a broader range of historical notices, consider utilising family-tree tracing services or accessing state government records through State or National libraries or the respective government websites. The Ryerson Index online can also serve as a valuable resource for finding archived historical notices.

Finding an obituary for a specific person in Australia is now more accessible than ever. My Tributes, with its extensive collection of death notices, offers a reliable platform for your search. Whether you prefer the convenience of an online search or prefer to rely on local or state newspapers, you can find the obituary you're seeking. Remember to explore the historical archives and utilise family-tree tracing services and government resources for more comprehensive searches.