Proof of Emergency: How To Find Obituaries & Death Records

Losing a loved one is never easy, and in the days that follow, the practical matters you need to handle can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re requesting bereavement leave from work or school, applying for an emergency passport or seeking a travel discount to attend a service, you may be asked to provide official proof of death.

Navigating these steps while grieving can feel daunting—but you’re not alone. This guide is here to help you understand what documents you may need and how to get them, making the process a little easier during an already difficult time.

How to find an obituary

If your loved one lived nearby and died recently, the obituary or death notice may be published in the local newspaper. However, searching online is often the quickest and easiest way to find an obituary. Here’s how to begin your search:

Use a search engine. Enter your loved one’s full name into a search engine (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.). In some cases, this simple step will lead you directly to the obituary.
Check funeral home websites. Most funeral homes post obituaries on their websites. The Dignity Memorial website has a tool that lets you search all its providers by name, state and publication date.
Browse newspaper websites. Visit the websites of newspapers that serve the community where your loved one lived—many still publish obituaries both in print and online.

If your initial search doesn’t turn up the results you’re looking for, try including your loved one’s birth year or the city where he or she was born or died. These details can help narrow your search and bring you closer to finding the information you need.

How to find a death record

In most cases, the funeral director handling your loved one’s arrangements will take care of ordering official copies of the death certificate for you. Families typically request several certified copies, which can be used for legal matters, insurance claims and requests for bereavement leave.

If you need a death certificate and you were the individual who finalized funeral services, first reach out to the funeral director. If you need to request a copy yourself, contact the health department or vital records office in the state where your loved one passed away. You can typically apply:

Online through the state’s official website
By mail using the appropriate forms
In person at the local office

Have at the ready essential details such as:

Your loved one’s full legal name
Date of death
Location of death (city, county, state)

Some states limit who can request a death certificate for privacy reasons, typically allowing only immediate family members (such as a spouse, parent, sibling or child). When submitting your request, you may need to provide proof of your relationship and a photo ID. You will also likely need to pay a fee for each certified copy. The exact cost and turnaround time vary by state.

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The proof-of-emergency documents you'll need

In certain circumstances, you may need an official death record, an obituary or a funeral notice to prove a loved one has died. The government may require documentation for travel over the border; an airline may need proof for a bereavement flight discount on a last-minute booking.

Passport

If your loved one has died or is dying in another country, you can apply for a life-or-death emergency passport to leave the United States within the next two weeks. You'll need a death certificate, letter from the hospital or statement from the mortuary to obtain an emergency passport, along with proof of travel, like an airline ticket.

Bereavement flight

Some airlines offer discounted bereavement flights for immediate family members, including domestic partners. Policies vary by airline, but most require an obituary, proof of your relationship, and the name and contact details of the funeral home, hospital or hospice that has cared for your loved one.

Work or school

You may need to provide an obituary or proof of funeral attendance for work or school leave. Ask your employer or educational institution whether they require a written request detailing the circumstances or a death certificate. Other potential forms of proof may include a funeral or wake notice, prayer card, or letter from the hospital, hospice or funeral home.

Handling these details while grieving can feel like a heavy lift, but you don’t have to do it by yourself. Don’t hesitate to lean on family, friends or your funeral director for help—and remember to give yourself grace as you navigate this difficult time.