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See also [[United States, How to Find Genealogy Records]] and [[United States Funeral Homes]] | See also [[United States, How to Find Genealogy Records]] and [[United States Funeral Homes]] | ||
== How to Use This Record == | == How to Use This Record == | ||
Use funeral home records to identify useful information not found on the death certificate. | Use funeral home records to identify useful information not found on the death certificate. | ||
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A copy of the obituary or notes used to prepare the obituary may be in the record, along with a record of newspapers where the obituary was placed. Records may also contain information regarding former residences, education, church affiliation, military service, membership in clubs, lodges and other organizations. | A copy of the obituary or notes used to prepare the obituary may be in the record, along with a record of newspapers where the obituary was placed. Records may also contain information regarding former residences, education, church affiliation, military service, membership in clubs, lodges and other organizations. | ||
The records may include details of the grave location or type of marker. Notes regarding the funeral services, such as the officiating minister, pallbearers, and music may also be included. Information may also include life insurance information where additional genealogical information could be obtained. | The records may include details of the grave location or type of marker. Notes regarding the funeral services, such as the officiating minister, pallbearers, and music may also be included. Information may also include life insurance information where additional genealogical information could be obtained. | ||
== Why This Record Was Created == | == Why This Record Was Created == | ||
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Most funerals prior to the early twentieth century were a family and friends event taking place at the decedent’s home with burial taking place within twenty-four to forty-eight hours of death. Funeral homes or parlors were not used and caskets were made by the local cabinet or furniture maker. | Most funerals prior to the early twentieth century were a family and friends event taking place at the decedent’s home with burial taking place within twenty-four to forty-eight hours of death. Funeral homes or parlors were not used and caskets were made by the local cabinet or furniture maker. | ||
Large cities are more likely to have earlier funeral home records. Most rural areas did not have funeral homes until the early twentieth century. Funeral directors are now responsible for initiating and filing the death certificate. Since the 1950s many funeral homes have merged with other firms or gone out of business. | Large cities are more likely to have earlier funeral home records. Most rural areas did not have funeral homes until the early twentieth century. Funeral directors are now responsible for initiating and filing the death certificate. Since the 1950s many funeral homes have merged with other firms or gone out of business. | ||
== Record Description == | == Record Description == | ||
[[Image:Funeral Home Record-1.jpg|thumb|left]]Funeral records are business documents and normally involve loose papers and/or bound volumes. | [[Image:Funeral Home Record-1.jpg|thumb|left|Funeral Home Record-1.jpg]]Funeral records are business documents and normally involve loose papers and/or bound volumes. | ||
<br> These records generally include the death certificate or death certificate information and financial ledgers or papers showing the costs involved with arranging the funeral of the individual. | |||
These records generally include the death certificate or death certificate information and financial ledgers or papers showing the costs involved with arranging the funeral of the individual. | |||
== Record Coverage == | == Record Coverage == | ||
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Most funeral homes came into existence in the early Twentieth Century (1900's). | Most funeral homes came into existence in the early Twentieth Century (1900's). | ||
Funeral records are generally recorded in the locality where the person resided or is buried. They were not used by the general population until local regulations required embalming and the use of a funeral home became a generally accepted practice. | Funeral records are generally recorded in the locality where the person resided or is buried. They were not used by the general population until local regulations required embalming and the use of a funeral home became a generally accepted practice. | ||
== Record Content == | == Record Content == | ||
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The name of the decedent, death date, and death place are quite reliable. Burial information will be reliable unless the body was transported to another locality. Other information provided will only be as reliable as the informant’s knowledge or memory. | The name of the decedent, death date, and death place are quite reliable. Burial information will be reliable unless the body was transported to another locality. Other information provided will only be as reliable as the informant’s knowledge or memory. | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Funeral_homes]] | ||