Q. How can I find Memphis obituaries?

You can find Memphis obituaries at the UofM University Libraries McWherter Library and at the Memphis Public Library's Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.

Confirm Death Record

Verify that the person you are looking for died in Shelby County.

Go to the Shelby County Register of Deeds website.

For people who died between 1949-2014: On the Shelby County Register of Deeds website, under the Tennessee Vital Records header, select Death Records Index 1949-2014. Search for your information and record the individual's death date. 

You may find Death Records, or death certificates, for people between 1848-1967. On the Shelby County Register of Deeds website, under the Shelby County Records header, select Death Records 1848-1967. Search for your information and download the TIFF/PDF of the death certificate.

Obituaries

Once you have verified that the person died in Shelby County, you may be able to find their obituary in the Commercial Appeal.

The Memphis Public Library's Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library has digital and microfilm copies of the Commercial Appeal: MPL Memphis and Shelby County Room. Contact the Memphis Public Library for assistance.

If you are a Tennessee resident, you can access Tennessee Electronic Library's many genealogy databases.

UofM University Libraries has digital and microfilm copies of The Commercial Appeal: UofM Commercial Appeal.

Community users are welcome to use our online database at a McWherter Library guest computer, or view the microfilm in Special Collections by making an appointment with Special Collections.

The UofM Digital Commons has an Index to Obituaries in The Commercial Appeal 1843-1894.

Search Tips

If you can't find the published obituary on a person's death date, the obituary may not have been published on the individual's actual death date. Review the obituaries in the newspaper a few days before and following the death date: 1 to 2 days prior, 1 to 5 days after.

Your local public library may have access to genealogy databases that include Memphis-area newspapers. Contact your local library for assistance.

You can use your local public library's interlibrary loan system to request obituary information. Call your local public library for more information on interlibrary loan.

You may be able to find obituaries and other death record information through websites such as Legacy.