How to Use Obituaries to Uncover Cause of Death

Some people take a walk through the past to uncover personal history just for the fun of it. While it's true this can be a very exciting and rewarding endeavor, the motivations are sometimes stronger. When pieces of family medical history are also desired, or even desperately needed, obituaries are the place to look. They won't always give the information needed, but they can provide valuable leads.

Obituaries often prove themselves as vital tools for any look into a family's past. From giving information about other family members, beyond the deceased, to tipping off clues about birthplace, date and more, even the smallest of entries in a newspaper can lead to hordes of knowledge. In the case of family medical history, an obituary can be an invaluable tool.

Obituaries tend to give off clues about cause of death in one of a few major ways. Depending upon the publication’s style, they might:

List the cause of death outright. Some obituaries plainly, clearly and in black and white, list the cause of death. This isn't always the case, but it's more common than many might think. This is especially the case following long illnesses. It's not at all uncommon to see "succumbed to," "lost his battle with," "gave into" and other similar lines followed by a disease or illness name.
Subtle references. While it's very possible to have the cause of death listen in an obituary in regard to a lengthy illness, sudden deaths also give their own clues. Many times the wording chosen for heart attacks and strokes will read "died suddenly" "was taken away in sleep" and so on. Accidental deaths and even homicides will sometimes be referenced as "tragic circumstances." Look for the subtle clues, if possible. There might also be a subtle reference that says something like: “Instead of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to a society: like the American Cancer Society or Hospice of “What-ever town or state or area.”
Lead to death records. Most death certificates plainly list cause of death. If an obituary has been found with the date and location of death attached, pulling a copy of the records isn't generally difficult. Check with the local authorities to find out the rules of the road on this as they can vary from state to state. Some records might not be available (or releasable) for a variety of reasons, but many are, usually for a fee between $5 to $25.

Obituaries in and of themselves are ideal tools for tracking the cause of death. Even if there is an outright statement or one that is subtle enough to figure out, getting death records can still be useful. The official cause of death will sometimes differ greatly to what is posted in an obituary. Having both pieces of paper can help put the puzzle pieces together more accurately.

For example, the obituary might say “died following a long illness,” while the actual death record would list “cancer of the lungs” or “AIDS” specifically, and be signed by the physician who pronounced the date and (often approximate) time of death.

Seeking out family medical history through genealogical research can be tricky, but it can uncover valuable information for those who seek it.

The best place to start in most cases is directly with obituaries and death records for ancestors leading back as far as possible. If these are found, it's possible to spot trends, detect possible risk factors for disease and more. And, as the famous English philosopher Francis Bacon said years ago, and has since been much-quoted,” Knowledge is power.” In the case of diseases that are predominant in families – such as cancer or heart disease – often, lifestyle changes can be implemented, and/or tests given, on a regular basis that could detect the start of the disease early enough to prevent it from damaging (and killing!) future generations.

Searching for obituaries online? Beware of scammers. Read my report first.