Find a Grave Georgia by Name Cemetery & Burial Records Search

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Find a Grave Georgia: The Most Complete Practical Micro-Step Guide with Verified Maps, Records & Expert Tips (2026)
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Georgia has 159 counties and thousands of cemeteries — from historic burial grounds in Savannah and Atlanta to small family plots scattered across rural counties. Whether you are looking for a Revolutionary War ancestor, a Civil War soldier, or a more recent family member, this guide gives you the exact, practical 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 “Georgia”
  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: Georgia records from the 1800s and early 1900s often have spelling variations due to immigration and frontier record-keeping. 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/Georgia
  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 Georgia Record with Official Death Certificates

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

  1. 1 Copy the full name, exact death date and county from Find a Grave
  2. 2 Open https://dph.georgia.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 Georgia Obituary Search – Practical 9-Step Method

  1. 1 Go to Google
  2. 2 Type the full name + “obituary” + “Georgia” + death year
  3. 3 Search on Legacy.com Georgia obituaries
  4. 4 Check the Georgia Historic Newspapers and local library 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 Georgia

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

Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta

Address: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Phone: (404) 688-2107

Official website

Insight: Historic cemetery founded in 1850. Final resting place for many famous Georgians including Margaret Mitchell and 27 Confederate generals. Excellent records and beautiful grounds.

Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah

Address: 330 Bonaventure Rd, Savannah, GA 31404

Phone: (912) 651-6840

Insight: World-famous historic cemetery known for its moss-draped oaks and Victorian monuments. One of the most photographed cemeteries in America with excellent records.

Westview Cemetery, Atlanta

Address: 1680 Westview Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Phone: (404) 755-6611

Insight: Large historic cemetery with strong records for African-American families and many notable Atlanta residents.

Magnolia Cemetery, Augusta

Address: 702 3rd St, Augusta, GA 30901

Phone: (706) 821-1750

Insight: Historic cemetery with many Confederate soldiers and early Augusta families. Excellent records for eastern Georgia.

Colonial Park Cemetery, Savannah

Address: 201 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31401

Phone: (912) 651-6840

Insight: One of the most historic cemeteries in Georgia. Used from 1750 to 1853. Many Revolutionary War and early Savannah residents buried here.

Greenwood Cemetery, Atlanta

Address: 1174 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

Phone: (404) 755-6611

Insight: Large historic cemetery with many notable African-American families and strong records.

Official Georgia Resources You Must Use

Georgia Department of Public Health – Vital Records

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

Phone: (404) 657-2726

Official site

Order death certificates →

Georgia Archives

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

Visit Georgia Archives →

Georgia Historical Society

Extensive genealogy collections and cemetery records.

Visit Georgia Historical Society →

Advanced Search Methods & Expert Tips for Georgia

  • Search one family member first, then click “Nearby Graves” on Find a Grave to discover unlisted relatives automatically.
  • Google “[county name] Georgia cemetery search” – many counties have their own free online databases.
  • For graves before 1919, use the Georgia 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 Georgia.
  • Contact the local county clerk or township office for small rural family cemeteries.
  • Use Soundex tools for common Georgia names with German, Irish, Scottish or African-American origins.

Local Insights for Georgia Grave Hunters

Georgia has 159 counties. The Atlanta and Savannah metro areas have large, well-documented cemeteries with excellent online records.

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

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

Summer heat and humidity, plus occasional hurricanes, can make visits difficult – check the forecast 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 Georgia

  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 Georgia 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 Georgia if I only have the name?

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

Is Find a Grave completely free to use in Georgia?

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 Georgia death certificate.

How long does a Georgia death certificate take?

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

Can I visit any cemetery in Georgia?

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

What if the person died before 1919?

Use the Georgia Archives death index and old newspapers.

How do I find small rural family cemeteries?

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

Can I request a grave photo?

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

Does Georgia 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 Georgia cemeteries alone?

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

Can I order death records online in Georgia?

Yes. The fastest way is through the Georgia DPH portal.

What about military veterans in Georgia?

Many are buried in national cemeteries like Marietta or Andersonville. Check the VA site.

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

Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are ideal.

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