Finding an obituary for a specific person in Canada is simpler than ever. While obituaries have traditionally been published in local newspapers, today, many resources exist to help find an obituary for a specific person through online search engines, newspaper archives, genealogy websites, and more.
This article will walk you through the critical steps for locating Canadian obituaries, from simple online searches to deep archival research.
What are Obituaries in Canada?
An obituary is a notice of a person’s death, typically written by family members or the funeral home.
It’s helpful to know the difference between an obituary and a death notice. A death notice is a brief, paid announcement published in a newspaper to inform the public of a death. An obituary celebrates the life of the deceased, which often includes the following vital details:
- Full legal name
- Date and location of birth
- Date and location of death
- Cause of death (optional)
- Biographical info like education, career, interests, and accomplishments
- Names of immediate family members and survivors
- Funeral/memorial service information
Obituaries serve several important purposes within a community. Besides providing essential details for those wishing to send condolences or attend the funeral or memorial services, an obituary highlights the deceased’s life achievements and significant relationships, celebrating the impact they had on others.
Obituaries also offer valuable genealogical information for future generations who may be researching their family trees, helping to connect the past with the present.
Cost of Publishing an Obituary in Canada
Placing a newspaper obituary notice involves a fee, with prices varying depending on:
- Number of words/lines
- Circulation size of the newspaper
- Inclusion of a photograph of the deceased
For a small-town paper, expect to pay $50 to $150 CAD for a standard obituary without a photo. For metropolitan dailies, prices are significantly higher, ranging from $200 to $800+.
In Canada, obituaries traditionally appear in local newspapers serving the town or city where a person died and had a longtime residency. Major metro newspapers like the Toronto Star or the Vancouver Sun will only publish obituaries for prominent individuals.
Many families choosing newspaper publications will subsequently post the obituary on funeral home websites, offering free, permanent online hosting.
How Can You Find A Specific Obituary in Canada? A Step-by-Step Strategy
A methodical approach will yield the best results. Follow these steps to conduct a thorough search.
Gather Key Information
The more you know, the easier your search will be. Collect as much of the following as possible:
- Full legal name and any known nicknames.
- Maiden name for married women.
- Date of birth and date of death (even an estimate is helpful).
- Last known city and province of residence.
- Names of a spouse, parents, or children.
Find Recent Online Obituaries
If you’re looking for an obituary within the last month or two, your best bet is searching online sources.
A simple Google search can surface online obituaries. Use quotation marks to search for exact phrases and include location or dates to narrow results. For example, “Johnny Chris” obituary Vancouver 2018.
Google indexes listings from newspapers, funeral homes and sites like Legacy.com. MyHeritage, etc. We will detail this in the following section.
Funeral Home Websites
Most funeral homes post obituaries on their websites as a courtesy, and these often remain online indefinitely. If you know the funeral home handling arrangements, visit their website and look for an obituaries section.
Local Newspaper Websites
Almost every newspaper publishes obituaries on its website. Identify the most relevant papers based on the person’s residence and death. Look for a link to obituaries or death notices from the homepage. Some newspapers integrate legacy.com listings.
Social Media
Family members will sometimes post obituary information on the person’s social media profiles. Check Facebook groups and alumni pages related to the deceased’s school, workplace, church, or civic organizations.
Research Major Obituaries Databases
Genealogical sites collect obituaries from hundreds of sources. These sites offer powerful search tools and access to vast historical records beyond just obituaries.
Ancestry.ca
The largest genealogy resource, Ancestry, contains millions of historical records, including obituaries dating back to the early 1800s. Access is through a paid subscription. Search filters include name, year, location, keywords and more.
Legacy.com
With hundreds of newspaper partnerships, Legacy.com houses the largest online obituary database. Search by name, location, date, and any other details you may have. Results include newspaper-published listings.
MyHeritage
Similar to Ancestry, MyHeritage houses over ten billion historical records. Subscribe to search obituaries by name, date, location, etc. Monthly plans start at $29.95, and a 14-day trial is available.
FamilySearch.org
Operated by the Mormon church, FamilySearch has free access to billions of genealogy records, including Canadian obituaries. The database can be searched by name, birth/death years, keywords and more.
Remembering.ca
This database includes present-day and archived obituaries from 80+ Canadian news sources. Search by name, birth/death years, province and other filters. Access is free.
When Online Searches Fail: What Offline Resources Help Find Obituaries?
If an obituary was published before the internet era or in a small local paper, you may need to go offline.
Library and Archives Canada (LAC)
As the memory of the nation, the LAC is an essential free resource. This free government database includes Canadian obituaries dating back to the 18th century. Records can be browsed online or accessed in person. Remote research assistance is available.
Local Government Archives
Municipal archives often contain copies of historical local newspapers. For example, the City of Toronto Archives holds newspaper records dating to the 1800s.
Local Libraries and University Libraries
Most library systems and university libraries offer access to historical newspaper archives, often via microfilm. Large city libraries may have digital archives. Consult a librarian for help locating the newspaper archive index.
Ancestry Library Edition
Available through most public libraries, this database contains billions of global records searchable from home with a library card. Obituary holdings include digitized newspapers dating back 300+ years.
Church Bulletins
If you know where the person worshipped, old church bulletins may contain obituary details. Call the church office to ask about accessing bulletin archives.
Funeral Homes
Call or visit funeral homes in the area where the individual died to ask if they have any record of handling arrangements. If the funeral home published an obituary, they may still retain a copy in their records.
Cemetery Records
Cemetery offices maintain records of burials and headstone inscriptions, which can provide death dates. This can help narrow an obituary search if the death year is unclear.
Probate Files
Wills filed with the county probate court may provide exact or estimated dates of death. Search probate records at the relevant courthouse.
Read more: Probate in Canada
Tips for Effective Search of Obituaries
Searching for an obituary notice of a friend, relative, or ancestor requires a targeted approach. Follow these five tips to improve search success:
Identify the correct name
This is the single most common reason for a failed search. Systematically search for every possible variation.
- Married women may be listed under their spouse’s last name rather than their maiden name.
- Include middle name or initial if known – this helps rule out false positives.
- Try alternative nicknames or name spellings. Vary wildcard searches.
Pinpoint the timeframe and location
If you are searching for a common name, adding keywords is essential to filter out irrelevant results. Brainstorm words associated with their life and add them to your search query, such as occupation, street or town, church, etc.
Search around your target person
If you can’t find an obituary for the person you’re looking for, search for their immediate family members’ obituary, which often names their surviving (or predeceased) partner, brothers and sisters, parents, and children. This is one of the most effective genealogical techniques.
Locating an obituary is an important step in remembering and honouring the life of a loved one. As you navigate this process, it’s also helpful to consider the role of proper estate planning to ensure your wishes are documented and your legacy preserved. For further insights on estate planning and related topics, explore these articles on Inheritance and End-of-Life Matters:
FAQs on How to Find an Obituary For a Specific Person in Canada
How can I find someone's obituary in Canada?
You can find Canadian obituaries through newspaper websites, funeral home websites, online databases like Ancestry and MyHeritage, library archives, church records, cemetery files, and government archives.
Where can I find historical obituaries in Canada?
Older Canadian obituaries can be found through Ancestry, MyHeritage, Find A Grave, FamilySearch, library microfilm archives, university archives, municipal archives, church bulletins, and government databases like Library and Archives Canada.
Why can't I find an obituary online?
If an obituary is not online, it likely means it was only published in print, not digitized, or published in an obscure local paper not covered by larger databases. In these cases, physical newspaper archives will need to be searched.
When were obituaries first published in Canadian newspapers?
Canadian newspapers began publishing obituaries and death notices as early as the 18th century. Major metro papers and community newspapers carried them throughout the 19th and 20th centuries as well.
Can I access Canadian obituary archives for free?
Many options like Library and Archives Canada, local library microfilm, church records and some online aggregators offer free access. Genealogy sites like Ancestry require paid subscriptions to search full databases.
Is there one definitive source for Canadian obituaries?
There is no single definitive database because obituaries appear in so many newspapers, archives, genealogy, and funeral home sources. Checking multiple sources gives the most thorough results.
How do I confirm an obituary belongs to my ancestor?
Look for matching details like spouse and children’s names, residence, occupation, and other identifying information to confirm an obituary is your ancestor.
Where can I get help finding a Canadian obituary?
Librarians are extremely helpful with obituary searches. Also try local genealogical societies, archivists, or professional genealogists who can assist navigating records.
The Bottom Line
Locating Canadian obituaries is easier than ever thanks to digitization efforts, online aggregators and collaborative genealogy databases.
With a strategic, multifaceted search process, you can likely uncover any Canadian obituary. Hot online sources make finding recent notices easy. For the 20th century and earlier obituaries, physical archives provide valuable genealogical records.
