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Question:i googled a lost-love's name and found his obituary, but it doesn't state reason of death... i went to order a death certificate (as i know that states the reason) but i don't know the city of death... anyone know anyway how to find out how a person suddenly passed away? i also don't have any mutual contacts... THANK YOU!


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: i googled a lost-love's name and found his obituary, but it doesn't state reason of death... i went to order a death certificate (as i know that states the reason) but i don't know the city of death... anyone know anyway how to find out how a person suddenly passed away? i also don't have any mutual contacts... THANK YOU!

The death certificate would be in the county of death - but depending on the state you may or may not be able to access it, (For 50 yrs in Arizona, some states seal them for 2 to 5, others are immediately available.) because of concerns about id theft. Do a search for vital records, and the state and county the paper was in. You might check the Social Security Death Index, but depending on age and dependents he may or may not be listed.
http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/

As for the cause of death - these can be tricky, and may not be the real cause. For many long-term diseases something more recent is often cited. It also can be found by the charity the family chooses donations to go to such as the American Heart Society or Cancer Society.

I think it would be best if you contacted a mutual friend who kept in touch, or just say goodbye.

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If it was an accident, murder, or suicide - it is likely that it was reported in that paper a day or two before the obit, check there. If it was cancer, meningitis, or another rapid disease it would be unlikely that it was mentioned. Also check the day before the obit - sometimes a COD is mentioned in the death notices column, and not a family or mortuary written obit.

There are two ways to find out where he died, but only the death certificate will list the cause of death. You can either contact the cemetary where he's buried and find out where the death certificate was filed...or contact the funeral director to get the information on where he died. Before anyone can be buried, the county where he's buried has to be given a copy of a death certificate and give clearance for the body to be buried. So the death certificate is kept on file with the permission to bury. Both the cemetary and the funeral home arranging the final rest have to keep copies of the death certificate and burial certificate. They may not release info to you if you're not family, but they will usually tell you which county issued the death certificate.

Before you go on this hunt, be very certain that you REALLY want to know the cause. Obits sometimes leave this out out of concern for the family--forex, few obits will mention AIDS. I had a relative executed by firing squad. Would reading he died by being executed or of AIDS make you feel better?