How can I find info about the cause of death after reading a person's obituary?

Question:

How can I find info about the cause of death after reading a person's obituary?

I just found a site (obituaries nationwide) and typed in the name of a friend I had lost contact with 30 yrs ago. Sadly, I found that he had died in 2004. I don't know his family or anyone else that knows him but I'd like to know what he died from.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: You could look up his local papers online and scan through the week or so that he died and if it was anything like a car crash or a murder it would come up. Otherwise it was most likely a strictly medical thing.