Find a Grave Minnesota by Name Cemeteries & Burial Records Search

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Find a Grave Minnesota by Name | Cemetery & Burial Records Search – Complete Practical Guide (2026)
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Minnesota has 87 counties and thousands of cemeteries — from large historic grounds in the Twin Cities to small family plots in rural farm counties and the Iron Range. Whether you are searching for a Scandinavian pioneer ancestor, a Civil War veteran, a lumberjack from the north woods, 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 “Minnesota”
  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: Minnesota records from the 1800s and early 1900s often have spelling variations due to heavy Scandinavian, German, Finnish and Eastern European immigration. Always test three versions of the last name and use the * wildcard. Example: “Smit*” finds Smith, Smyth, Schmidt and Smithe.
  1. 1 Go to https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery-browse/USA/Minnesota
  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 Minnesota Record with Official Death Certificates

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

  1. 1 Copy the full name, exact death date and county from Find a Grave
  2. 2 Open https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.html
  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 Minnesota Obituary Search – Practical 9-Step Method

  1. 1 Go to Google
  2. 2 Type the full name + “obituary” + “Minnesota” + death year
  3. 3 Search on Legacy.com Minnesota obituaries
  4. 4 Check the Minnesota Historical Society and local library newspaper collections
  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 Minnesota

  1. Start with Find a Grave name search (last name first)
  2. Filter results strictly to Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota – Verified Addresses, Phones, Maps & Real Insights

Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis

Address: 3600 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Phone: (612) 822-1551

Official website

Insight: One of the most beautiful and historic cemeteries in Minnesota. Final resting place for many prominent Minnesotans. Excellent records and scenic grounds.

Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis

Address: 7601 34th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55450

Phone: (612) 726-1127

Insight: One of the largest national cemeteries in the country. Thousands of military veterans buried here with very complete records.

Calvary Cemetery, St. Paul

Address: 753 Front Ave, St. Paul, MN 55103

Phone: (651) 224-4791

Insight: Large Catholic cemetery with strong records for Twin Cities families.

Hillside Cemetery, Minneapolis

Address: 2600 31st Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Phone: (612) 789-3535

Insight: Historic cemetery with many notable Minneapolis families and excellent records.

Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis (additional section)

Address: 3600 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Phone: (612) 822-1551

Insight: One of Minnesota’s most prestigious cemeteries with beautiful architecture and strong historical records.

Evergreen Cemetery, Moorhead

Address: 801 18th St S, Moorhead, MN 56560

Phone: (218) 299-5300

Insight: Historic cemetery serving the Fargo-Moorhead area with strong records for northwest Minnesota.

Official Minnesota Resources You Must Use

Minnesota Department of Health – Vital Records

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

Phone: (651) 201-2740

Official site

Order death certificates →

Minnesota Historical Society – Genealogy Collections

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

Access genealogy resources →

Minnesota Genealogical Society

Large collection of cemetery and obituary records across the state.

Visit MGS website →

Advanced Search Methods & Expert Tips for Minnesota

  • Search one family member first, then click “Nearby Graves” on Find a Grave to discover unlisted relatives automatically.
  • Google “[county name] Minnesota cemetery search” – many counties have their own free online databases.
  • For graves before 1907, use the Minnesota Historical Society’s historic records 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 Minnesota.
  • Contact the local county recorder or township office for small rural family cemeteries.
  • Use Soundex tools for common Minnesota names with German, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish or Polish origins.

Local Insights for Minnesota Grave Hunters

Minnesota has 87 counties. The Twin Cities metro area has large, well-documented cemeteries with excellent online records.

Rural counties in northern Minnesota and the Iron Range 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 April – 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 Minnesota

  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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota if I only have the name?

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

Is Find a Grave completely free to use in Minnesota?

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 Minnesota death certificate.

How long does a Minnesota death certificate take?

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

Can I visit any cemetery in Minnesota?

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

What if the person died before 1907?

Use the Minnesota Historical Society historic records 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota cemeteries alone?

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

Can I order death records online in Minnesota?

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

What about military veterans in Minnesota?

Many are buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Check the VA site.

How do I prepare for a long drive to a rural Minnesota 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 Minnesota?

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

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