How to Search for Cemetery and Burial Records in Los Angeles
Los Angeles County holds an extensive collection of cemetery and burial records spanning generations. Los Angeles County alone has over 200 cemeteries, making it one of the most comprehensive burial record repositories in the region. Whether you're researching family genealogy, local history, or documenting a specific burial, finding cemetery records in Los Angeles is more accessible than ever with a combination of online databases and in-person resources.
Cemetery records can provide valuable information about an individual's birth, death, and burial, as well as their family relationships, occupation, and other biographical details. Understanding where and how to search will save you time and help you locate the information you need efficiently.
Understanding What Cemetery Records Contain 🔍
Before you begin your search, it's helpful to know what information is typically included in burial records. A typical burial record for Los Angeles, CA includes: full name, date of burial (sometimes date of death), age at death, place of residence, cause of death (in later records), cemetery name, section/row/plot number, and the officiant's name (usually a minister or priest). Older records may include 'native of' (birthplace) and relationship to head of household — both extremely valuable for genealogy research.
Knowing what information you can expect to find helps shape your search strategy. Some historical records are more detailed than others, and cemetery records from different time periods vary in completeness.
Online Cemetery Record Databases
Free and Accessible Options
Several free online platforms provide searchable cemetery records for Los Angeles. These resources are ideal for starting your research without cost or subscription requirements. Find a Grave is the world's largest free grave database with over 265 million memorials. To search, click "Search" → "Search Memorials" in the top navigation and enter: First Name, Last Name, and location "Los Angeles County" — use the dropdown to confirm the right region.
Adding birth/death year range if known reduces results significantly for common names. Click the memorial to view the full record — burial location, GPS coordinates, headstone photo, and any family links. This is particularly useful if you plan to visit the cemetery in person.
BillionGraves.com serves as a second source — it uses a different indexing method and often covers graves not on Find A Grave. These complementary databases increase your chances of locating a burial record.
Specialized and Church Archives
California's historic mission registers and records, including baptism, marriage, and burial records are available through genealogical societies and archives. For burials dating back centuries in Southern California, mission records can be invaluable, as some Los Angeles area burials predate civil registration systems.
Contacting Cemetery Offices Directly
Many Los Angeles cemeteries maintain sexton records (burial ledgers) that predate digital indexing, so contact the cemetery office directly. Most cemetery offices keep comprehensive records and can provide specific details about plot locations, burial dates, and family information if you provide the name of the deceased and approximate burial date.
| Record Type | Primary Sources | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Cemetery Indexes | Find a Grave, BillionGraves, Interment.net | Quick searches, headstone photos, GPS locations |
| Cemetery Office Records | Direct contact with cemetery office | Detailed information, plot details, historical context |
| Church and Mission Records | Local churches, diocesan archives | Pre-1900 burials, religious context |
| County Vital Records | Los Angeles County Vital Records Department | Burial permits, death certificates |
| Historical Newspapers | Library archives, genealogy databases | Obituaries, family connections, death announcements |
Historical Burial Records and Permits
Los Angeles County Burial Permits from 1870–1892 were extracted by Southern California Genealogical Society and Family Research Library volunteers from burial permits on file at the Los Angeles County Vital Records Department, now located in Norwalk, California. The permits cover the years 1870 through 1892 for persons who died in Los Angeles County. These historical records are particularly valuable for tracing burials during California's early settlement period.
If you're researching an ancestor who died in the late 1800s or early 1900s, burial permits provide official documentation that complements cemetery records. They were signed by Catholic priests, ministers, doctors, pastors, medical attendants, health officers or Justices of the Peace of Los Angeles County who took the information about the deceased or were in attendance when the person died.
Searching for Specific Cemeteries
Major Cemeteries in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles has several large and historically significant cemeteries. Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA contains 217,721 records, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, CA has 9,242 records, and Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, CA contains 86,506 records. These three alone represent a substantial portion of Los Angeles area burials.
If you know or suspect which cemetery holds the burial, searching that specific cemetery's records or contacting it directly can yield faster results. Many larger cemeteries have their own websites with searchable databases or staff who can assist with genealogical research.
Veteran and Military Burials
For military veterans, start with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at cwgc.org for WWI and WWII casualties. For other veterans, use Find A Grave and filter by 'Veterans Only' in the search options. Los Angeles National Cemetery was established in 1889 with its first interment occurring just days before its official dedication on May 22 of that year, making it a major repository for military burials.
Tips for Successful Record Searching 💡
- 🔎 Start with free online databases before seeking paid resources or hiring professionals
- ✏️ Gather all available information about the deceased before searching — full name, approximate birth and death dates, and any known family members
- 📱 Use GPS coordinates from online records to verify cemetery locations before visiting in person
- 📋 Try alternative name spellings, especially for surnames from immigrant communities, as records may show anglicized versions
- 📞 Call cemetery offices and request records by plot number if you have it; this speeds up the process significantly
- 🏛️ Check local library archives, particularly genealogy departments, which often have indexed obituary collections and historical records
- 🕵️ Search across multiple databases, as not every burial has been digitized and different platforms index different cemeteries
When Online Searches Don't Yield Results
Not every burial in Los Angeles County has been digitised yet. If your initial searches come up empty, consider several alternative approaches. Contact the local council or municipal office — in United States, burial registers are often held by local councils and are available on request. Visit the cemetery in person — bring a printed list of surrounding family members' names and systematically walk the section where other family members are buried.
Request a headstone photo on Find A Grave — a community of volunteers photographs headstones on request, often within days. This approach works well if you believe a burial exists but hasn't yet been documented online. For burials before civil registration, parish burial registers are the primary source and may be held at local churches or diocesan archives.
Genealogy Research Resources in Los Angeles
Several organizations specialize in helping people research family history in Los Angeles County. The Genealogy department at LAPL contains census records, city directories, family histories, immigration records, military records, newspapers, obituaries, and vital records. Public libraries often provide free access to genealogy databases and have librarians who can guide your research.
For information related to Southern California, the Southern California Genealogical Society and Family Research Library are recommended starting points. These organizations maintain extensive collections of cemetery transcriptions, burial records, and historical documentation specific to the region.
Planning Your Cemetery Research Visit
If you decide to visit a cemetery in person, preparation is essential. Use online records to identify the exact section, row, and plot number before you arrive. Use the GPS coordinates — tap "View Map" on any memorial to get exact cemetery location for a visit. Many cemeteries have maps available at their offices or entrances.
Bring identification and be prepared to provide cemetery staff with the deceased's name, burial date, and plot number. Some cemeteries require advance notice for research visits. Call ahead to confirm visiting hours and any requirements for accessing older records or restricted sections.