- 1. Search by Name – 12 steps
- 2. Search by Cemetery – 9 steps
- 3. Verify with Official Records
- 4. Obituary Search
- 5. Full 14-Step Workflow
- 6. Major Cemeteries with Maps
- 7. Official Texas Resources
- 8. Advanced Tips & Tricks
- 9. Local Texas Insights
- 10. Common Problems & Solutions
- 11. 15 Frequently Asked Questions
Find a Grave Texas by Name – 12 Clear Micro-Steps
- 1 Open https://www.findagrave.com/memorial
- 2 Type the last name first, add a comma, then the first name
- 3 Click the State dropdown and select “Texas”
- 4 Enter the known death year
- 5 Enter the known birth year if available
- 6 Add the county name if you know it
- 7 Click the blue Search button
- 8 Open the first 15–20 results in separate tabs
- 9 Read every memorial page completely
- 10 Copy the exact cemetery name, county, death date and any family links
- 11 Click “Nearby Graves” to find unlisted relatives automatically
- 12 Note any photos, flowers or bio information for later verification
Find a Grave Texas by Cemetery – 9 Micro-Steps
- 1 Go to https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery-browse/USA/Texas
- 2 Click the exact county you need
- 3 Use Ctrl+F to find the cemetery name instantly
- 4 Click the cemetery page
- 5 Use the internal search box at the top
- 6 Type the last name
- 7 Filter by death decade or exact year range
- 8 Click every matching memorial
- 9 Write down plot number, section, lot and row details
Verify Every Find a Grave Texas Record with Official Death Certificates
Find a Grave is only a clue. Always verify with the official Texas death certificate from the Department of State Health Services.
- 1 Copy the full name, exact death date and county from Find a Grave
- 2 Open https://www.dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics
- 3 Click the link to order death certificates through Texas.gov
- 4 Select the correct county and year range
- 5 Fill the online form with the copied details
- 6 Pay the small fee and submit the request
- 7 When the certificate arrives, compare every single detail
- 8 Mark the record as officially verified if it matches
Find a Grave Texas Obituary Search – Practical 9-Step Method
- 1 Go to Google
- 2 Type the full name + “obituary” + “Texas” + death year
- 3 Search on Legacy.com Texas obituaries
- 4 Check the Texas State Library digital newspaper collection
- 5 Open every matching obituary
- 6 Copy the funeral home name, church and family members
- 7 Call the funeral home listed in the obituary
- 8 Ask for exact cemetery and plot details
- 9 Cross-check all family names with Find a Grave
The Complete 14-Step Workflow to Find Any Grave in Texas
- Start with Find a Grave name search (last name first)
- Filter results strictly to Texas only
- Open and fully read the top 15–20 possible matches
- Record cemetery name, county and death date for each
- Request the official Texas death certificate
- Compare every detail with Find a Grave
- Locate the cemetery’s official phone and address
- Call the cemetery office
- Give the full name and exact death date
- Ask for plot number, section, lot, row and directions
- Request any available grave photos or historical notes
- Ask about nearby family graves
- Document everything with screenshots and notes
- Save the information in your family tree or notes app
Major Cemeteries in Texas – Verified Addresses, Phones, Maps & Real Insights
Texas State Cemetery, Austin
Address: 909 Navasota St, Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 463-0605
Insight: Burial place of many notable Texans and veterans. Use their online map before visiting.
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio
Address: 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 820-3891
Insight: One of the largest national cemeteries in Texas. Very complete military records. Call ahead for plot details.
Glenwood Cemetery, Houston
Address: 2525 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Phone: (713) 864-7886
Insight: Historic cemetery with many prominent Houston families. Beautiful grounds and good records.
Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Arlington
Address: 1700 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, TX 76011
Phone: (817) 275-2711
Insight: One of the largest perpetual-care cemeteries in Texas. Excellent online search tool.
Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth
Address: 620 W 4th St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 392-7111
Insight: Established in 1850. Excellent historic records for early Texas pioneers.
Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio
Address: 1700 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78221
Phone: (210) 924-4411
Insight: Large historic cemetery with strong records for 1900s Texas families.
Official Texas Resources You Must Use
Texas Department of State Health Services – Vital Statistics
Official source for death certificates – the most important verification tool.
Phone: 888-963-7111
Texas State Library and Archives – Genealogy Division
Free access to digitized newspapers, obituary indexes, WPA cemetery inventories and historic maps.
Texas Historical Commission – Cemetery Preservation
Information on historic cemeteries across Texas.
Advanced Search Methods & Expert Tips for Texas
- Search one family member first, then click “Nearby Graves” on Find a Grave to discover unlisted relatives automatically.
- Google “[county name] Texas cemetery search” – many counties have their own free online databases.
- For graves before 1903, use the Texas State Library’s WPA inventories and old newspapers.
- Call the funeral home listed in any obituary – they keep burial books for decades.
- Use Google Street View to check the cemetery entrance before long rural drives.
- Contact the county clerk or township office for small rural family cemeteries.
- Use Soundex and wildcard searches for common Texas names with Spanish, German or Czech origins.
Local Insights for Texas Grave Hunters
Texas is huge. Urban areas (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin) have large, well-documented cemeteries with good online records.
Rural counties in West Texas, the Panhandle and South Texas have hundreds of small family cemeteries with almost no online data.
Always call the county clerk first in rural areas.
Summer heat and winter storms can make visits difficult – check the weather and call ahead.
Many rural cemeteries have no cell service – download maps offline before you leave home.
Common Problems and Exact Solutions
Solution: Click “Add a New Memorial” or call the cemetery office directly.
Solution: Use the * wildcard and check the official Texas death certificate.
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 Texas if I only have the name?
Use the 12 micro-steps in the name search section above and always verify with the official Texas death certificate.
Is Find a Grave completely free?
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 Texas death certificate.
How long does a Texas death certificate take?
Online orders usually arrive in 2–4 weeks. County offices can be faster.
Can I visit any cemetery in Texas?
Most public cemeteries are open during daylight hours. Private ones need landowner permission.
What if the person died before 1903?
Use Texas State Library historic records and old newspapers.
How do I find small rural family cemeteries?
Contact the county clerk or township office – they keep the official list.
Can I request a grave photo?
Yes. Click “Request a Photo” on any memorial page.
Does Texas 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 Texas cemeteries alone?
Yes for most public cemeteries during daylight. Tell someone where you are going.
Can I order death records online in Texas?
Yes. The fastest way is through Texas.gov or the DSHS portal.
What about military veterans in Texas?
Many are buried in national cemeteries like Fort Sam Houston. Check the VA site.
How do I prepare for a long drive to a rural 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 Texas?
Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) are ideal.
Also explore: Find a Grave California • Find a Grave New York • Texas Genealogy Records