There are a few different ways that you can go about finding a grave in a cemetery. Depending on the age of the grave and where it is located will affect how hard it is to find; however, in this piece, we are going to take a look at some of the steps to find a grave.
Steps to Finding a grave
Here are some of our recommended methods for finding a grave:
1) Collect information about the deceased, like birth and death dates
Find their birth and death dates as well as their full name. Knowing when they were born and died will give you a timeframe in which to look for their grave. If you have this information, try looking up the cemetery’s website or giving them a call. Oftentimes, they will have a database of everyone who is buried in their graveyard and can tell you exactly where the grave is located.
Look for death certificates, death records, death location, burial information, and other records. Anything that can give you a clue about the area and location. With enough persistence, you will find the grave.
2) Check for recent burials first
If you are looking for a more recent grave, start by checking the most recent burial records. The cemetery office will have this information and can help guide you to the right area. If the person was buried within the last few years, their grave should be easier to find. It can be a daunting task so if you can rule out the areas where the grave is not, then you have a better chance of locating the exact location.
3) Look at a map of the cemetery
Many cemeteries will have a map that you can use to find specific graves. If you cannot find a map, ask the office for help. They may be able to give you a printout or even show you where it is on their computer system. There can be many graves to look at, so work out which areas relate to what time periods. Knowing when your ancestor died, and other vital information can help you to locate what area they are more likely to be in. A death certificate or other vital records are really going to help.
4) Search for old graves
If you are looking for an older grave, it may be harder to find. Start by checking the oldest section of the cemetery first. If you still cannot find it, try looking through records at the local library or historical society. Just keep checking the grave site to find that final resting place.
5) Speak to family members
If you are still having trouble finding the grave, try speaking to other family members. They may have more information about the burial or be able to tell you where to look. Sometimes, family members will even visit the grave themselves and can give you specific directions.
A family member could have the death certificate, family tree knowledge, cemetery information, or other information about the deceased.
6) Check online resources
There are a few online resources that can help you find a grave. Try websites that let you research your family history, and you can find key information about a person’s grave from them alone.
7) Get in touch with the funeral home/cemetery
If you are still having difficulty locating the grave, get in touch with the funeral home or cemetery directly. They can often help you to find exactly what you are looking for.
Whatever method you choose to use, it is important to be patient and persistent when trying to locate a grave. Remember that each cemetery is different and will have its own way of organising information. If you cannot find the grave you are looking for, try speaking to someone who works there or searching online. With a little bit of effort, you should be able to find what you are looking for.
Issues with trying to find a grave
There are a few different issues that you may run into when trying to find a grave. One of the most common problems is that the grave is no longer marked. This can happen for a number of reasons like the grave never had a memorial in the first place, but it is usually due to time or weathering. If the stone is old, it may have been worn down by the elements or covered in moss or lichen. If you think this might be the case, try looking for a metal plate with the name and dates. These are often placed next to the headstone and are easier to see.
Another issue is that the cemetery itself is no longer in use. This happens when cemeteries are full, abandoned or relocated. If this is the case, it may be difficult to find any records of who is buried where. You can try searching online for old cemetery records or speaking to the local historical society.
Finally, you may run into problems if the person you are looking for was never actually buried in a cemetery. This can happen if they were cremated or their body was never found. In these cases, it is often best to speak to family members or close friends to see if they have any information about what happened to the person.
No matter what issue you are facing, there are ways to work around it. With a little bit of effort, you should be able to find the grave you are looking for.
How to better manage grave records
If you are having trouble managing your grave records, you can do a few things to make the process easier. One of the most important things is to keep your records in order. This means that all information should be organised and easily accessible, preferably on a computer database.
Cemetery software is a great way to keep track of your records. This program can help you search for records of graves, burials, and other important information. It is essential to choose a program that is easy to use and understand, as this will make the process much simpler.
