Find a Grave Pennsylvania by Name Cemetery & Burial Records Search

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Find a Grave Pennsylvania by Name | Cemetery & Burial Records Search – Complete Practical Guide (2026)
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Pennsylvania has 67 counties and thousands of cemeteries — from historic urban burial grounds in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to small family plots in the rural Alleghenies and Amish country. Whether you are searching for a Revolutionary War ancestor, a Civil War soldier, a coal miner from the anthracite region, 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 “Pennsylvania”
  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: Pennsylvania records from the 1700s–early 1900s often have spelling variations due to heavy German, Irish, Italian, Polish 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/Pennsylvania
  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 Pennsylvania Record with Official Death Certificates

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

  1. 1 Copy the full name, exact death date and county from Find a Grave
  2. 2 Open https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/certificates/Pages/Death-Certificates.aspx
  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 Pennsylvania Obituary Search – Practical 9-Step Method

  1. 1 Go to Google
  2. 2 Type the full name + “obituary” + “Pennsylvania” + death year
  3. 3 Search on Legacy.com Pennsylvania obituaries
  4. 4 Check the Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive 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 Pennsylvania

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

Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia

Address: 3822 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132

Phone: (215) 228-8200

Official website

Insight: One of America’s most historic rural cemeteries, founded in 1836. Final resting place for many prominent Philadelphians and Civil War generals. Excellent records and beautiful grounds.

Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh

Address: 4734 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Phone: (412) 621-8000

Insight: Historic cemetery founded in 1844. Final resting place for many Pittsburgh industrialists and Civil War veterans. Excellent records.

Mount Moriah Cemetery, Philadelphia

Address: 6201 Kingsessing Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19142

Phone: (215) 729-5150

Insight: Large historic cemetery with many Civil War veterans and naval personnel. Excellent records for Philadelphia families.

Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham

Address: 3301 W Cheltenham Ave, Cheltenham, PA 19012

Phone: (215) 635-1560

Insight: Large Catholic cemetery with strong records for Philadelphia-area families.

West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd

Address: 215 Belmont Ave, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Phone: (610) 667-1900

Insight: Beautiful historic cemetery with many notable Philadelphia families and excellent records.

Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh

Address: 1599 S Dallas Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Phone: (412) 421-2400

Insight: Historic cemetery with many prominent Pittsburgh industrialists and families.

Official Pennsylvania Resources You Must Use

Pennsylvania Department of Health – Vital Records

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

Phone: (724) 656-3100

Official site

Order death certificates →

Pennsylvania State Archives

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

Visit Pennsylvania State Archives →

Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission

Extensive genealogy collections and cemetery records.

Visit PHMC →

Advanced Search Methods & Expert Tips for Pennsylvania

  • Search one family member first, then click “Nearby Graves” on Find a Grave to discover unlisted relatives automatically.
  • Google “[county name] Pennsylvania cemetery search” – many counties have their own free online databases.
  • For graves before 1906, use the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
  • Contact the local county recorder or township office for small rural family cemeteries.
  • Use Soundex tools for common Pennsylvania names with German, Irish, Italian or Eastern European origins.

Local Insights for Pennsylvania Grave Hunters

Pennsylvania has 67 counties. The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas have large, well-documented cemeteries with excellent online records.

Rural counties in the Alleghenies and northern Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

  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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania if I only have the name?

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

Is Find a Grave completely free to use in Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania death certificate.

How long does a Pennsylvania death certificate take?

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

Can I visit any cemetery in Pennsylvania?

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

What if the person died before 1906?

Use the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania cemeteries alone?

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

Can I order death records online in Pennsylvania?

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

What about military veterans in Pennsylvania?

Many are buried in national cemeteries like Philadelphia or Gettysburg. Check the VA site.

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

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

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