Find a Grave Iowa by Name Cemetery & Burial Records Search

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Find a Grave Iowa by Name | Cemetery & Burial Records Search – Complete Practical Guide (2026)
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Iowa has 99 counties and thousands of cemeteries — from large historic grounds in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids to small family plots in rural farm counties. Whether you are searching for a pioneer settler, a Civil War veteran, or a more recent family member, this guide gives you the exact micro-steps that work every time.

  1. 1 Open https://www.findagrave.com/memorial
  2. 2 Type the last name first, then add a comma and the first name
  3. 3 Click the State dropdown and select “Iowa”
  4. 4 Enter the known death year
  5. 5 Enter the known birth year if available
  6. 6 Add the county name if you know it
  7. 7 Click the blue Search button
  8. 8 Open the first 15–20 results in separate browser tabs
  9. 9 Read every memorial page from top to bottom
  10. 10 Copy the exact cemetery name, county, death date and any family links
  11. 11 Click “Nearby Graves” to discover unlisted relatives automatically
  12. 12 Note any photos, flowers or bio details for later verification
Practical tip: Iowa records from the 1800s and early 1900s often have spelling variations due to heavy German, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Czech immigration. Always test three versions of the last name and use the * wildcard. Example: “Smit*” finds Smith, Smyth and Schmidt.
  1. 1 Go to https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery-browse/USA/Iowa
  2. 2 Click the exact county you need
  3. 3 Use Ctrl+F to find the cemetery name instantly
  4. 4 Click the cemetery page
  5. 5 Use the internal search box at the top
  6. 6 Type the last name
  7. 7 Filter by death decade or exact year range
  8. 8 Click every matching memorial
  9. 9 Write down plot number, section, lot and row details

Verify Every Find a Grave Iowa Record with Official Death Certificates

Find a Grave is only a starting point. Always verify with the official Iowa death certificate from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

  1. 1 Copy the full name, exact death date and county from Find a Grave
  2. 2 Open https://idph.iowa.gov/vital-records
  3. 3 Click the link to order death certificates
  4. 4 Select the correct county and year range
  5. 5 Fill the online form with the copied details
  6. 6 Pay the small fee and submit the request
  7. 7 When the certificate arrives, compare every single detail
  8. 8 Mark the record as officially verified if it matches

Find a Grave Iowa Obituary Search – Practical 9-Step Method

  1. 1 Go to Google
  2. 2 Type the full name + “obituary” + “Iowa” + death year
  3. 3 Search on Legacy.com Iowa obituaries
  4. 4 Check the Iowa State Library digital newspaper collection
  5. 5 Open every matching obituary
  6. 6 Copy the funeral home name, church and family members
  7. 7 Call the funeral home listed in the obituary
  8. 8 Ask for exact cemetery and plot details
  9. 9 Cross-check all family names with Find a Grave

The Complete 14-Step Workflow to Find Any Grave in Iowa

  1. Start with Find a Grave name search (last name first)
  2. Filter results strictly to Iowa only
  3. Open and fully read the top 15–20 possible matches
  4. Record cemetery name, county and death date for each
  5. Request the official Iowa death certificate
  6. Compare every detail with Find a Grave
  7. Locate the cemetery’s official phone and address
  8. Call the cemetery office
  9. Give the full name and exact death date
  10. Ask for plot number, section, lot, row and directions
  11. Request any available grave photos or historical notes
  12. Ask about nearby family graves
  13. Document everything with screenshots and notes
  14. Save the information in your family tree or notes app

Major Cemeteries in Iowa – Verified Addresses, Phones, Maps & Real Insights

Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines

Address: 201 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: (515) 288-6251

Insight: One of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Iowa. Final resting place for many prominent Iowans and Civil War veterans. Excellent records.

Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City

Address: 720 Oakland Rd, Iowa City, IA 52240

Phone: (319) 356-5130

Insight: Historic cemetery on the University of Iowa campus with many notable Iowa City and university figures.

Fairview Cemetery, Cedar Rapids

Address: 1850 12th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Phone: (319) 286-5890

Insight: Large historic cemetery with strong records for eastern Iowa families.

Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines

Address: 4900 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311

Phone: (515) 288-6251

Insight: Historic cemetery with many prominent Des Moines families and excellent records.

Linwood Cemetery, Davenport

Address: 1826 S Main St, Davenport, IA 52802

Phone: (563) 326-7767

Insight: Historic cemetery serving the Quad Cities area with strong records for eastern Iowa.

Calvary Cemetery, Sioux City

Address: 2201 Pierce St, Sioux City, IA 51104

Phone: (712) 255-7933

Insight: Large Catholic cemetery with excellent records for northwest Iowa families.

Official Iowa Resources You Must Use

Iowa Department of Public Health – Vital Records

Official source for death certificates – the most important verification tool.

Phone: (515) 281-4945

Official site

Order death certificates →

State Historical Society of Iowa

Free access to digitized newspapers, obituary indexes, WPA cemetery inventories and historic maps.

Visit State Historical Society →

Iowa Genealogical Society

Large collection of cemetery and obituary records across the state.

Visit Iowa Genealogical Society →

Advanced Search Methods & Expert Tips for Iowa

  • Search one family member first, then click “Nearby Graves” on Find a Grave to discover unlisted relatives automatically.
  • Google “[county name] Iowa cemetery search” – many counties have their own free online databases.
  • For graves before 1921, use the Iowa State Archives death index and WPA inventories.
  • Call the funeral home listed in any obituary – they keep burial books for many decades.
  • Use Google Street View to check the cemetery entrance before long drives in rural Iowa.
  • Contact the local county recorder or township office for small rural family cemeteries.
  • Use Soundex tools for common Iowa names with German, Norwegian, Swedish or Czech origins.

Local Insights for Iowa Grave Hunters

Iowa has 99 counties. The Des Moines and Cedar Rapids metro areas have large, well-documented cemeteries with excellent online records.

Rural counties in northern and western Iowa have many small family cemeteries with almost no online data.

Always call the county recorder or township trustee first in rural areas.

Winter snow can make visits difficult from November to March – check the weather and call ahead.

Many rural cemeteries have no cell service – download maps offline before you leave home.

How to Prepare for a Cemetery Visit in Iowa

  1. Print or save the exact plot number, section and row
  2. Call the cemetery office one day before your visit
  3. Check visiting hours and any special rules
  4. Bring water, a soft brush, notebook and plot details
  5. Wear comfortable shoes and bring insect repellent in summer
  6. Respect all rules and leave the grave site cleaner than you found it

Common Problems and Exact Solutions

Problem: No record on Find a Grave
Solution: Click “Add a New Memorial” or call the cemetery office directly.
Problem: Wrong spelling
Solution: Use the * wildcard and check the official Iowa death certificate.
Problem: No plot number
Solution: Call the cemetery with the death date – they can find it quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions (15 Detailed Answers)

How do I find a grave in Iowa if I only have the name?

Use the 12 micro-steps in the name search section above and always verify with the official Iowa death certificate.

Is Find a Grave completely free to use in Iowa?

Yes. Searching, viewing memorials and requesting photos is 100% free.

Are Find a Grave records accurate?

No. They are volunteer-contributed. Always verify with the official Iowa death certificate.

How long does an Iowa death certificate take?

Online orders usually arrive in 2–4 weeks. County offices can be faster.

Can I visit any cemetery in Iowa?

Most public cemeteries are open during daylight hours. Private ones need landowner permission.

What if the person died before 1921?

Use the Iowa State Archives death index and old newspapers.

How do I find small rural family cemeteries?

Contact the county recorder or township trustee – they keep the official list.

Can I request a grave photo?

Yes. Click “Request a Photo” on any memorial page.

Does Iowa have one central grave database?

No. You must combine Find a Grave with official state and county records.

What should I bring when visiting a cemetery?

Bring the plot number, water, soft brush, notebook and follow every posted rule.

Is it safe to visit rural Iowa cemeteries alone?

Yes for most public cemeteries during daylight. Tell someone where you are going.

Can I order death records online in Iowa?

Yes. The fastest way is through the Iowa Department of Public Health portal.

What about military veterans in Iowa?

Many are buried in national cemeteries like Keokuk or Rock Island. Check the VA site.

How do I prepare for a long drive to a rural Iowa cemetery?

Download maps offline, check weather, bring water and insect repellent.

Can I add a missing memorial on Find a Grave?

Yes. Click “Add a New Memorial” and provide as much information as possible.

What is the best time to visit cemeteries in Iowa?

Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are ideal.

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