When someone dies, families work with funeral homes to plan the service. A big question many people ask is: Do funeral homes keep burial records? The answer is yes, but there is more to know.
What Are Burial Records?
Burial records are files with info about the person who died. These include:
-
Full name
-
Date of death
-
Place of burial or crem.
-
Type of service
-
Funeral home name
-
Family contact info
These records help families, gov. offices, and cemeteries keep track of who is buried and where.
Why Do Funeral Homes Keep Them?
Funeral homes keep these records for many reasons:
-
Legal proof of service
-
Help for families if they lose documents
-
Reports for gov. offices like the DoH (Dept. of Health)
-
Billing records for insur. or banks
A funeral director named Mr. Lopez in TX said, “We keep records for at least 10 years. Some families come back after many years asking for info. We try to help.”
How Long Are Records Kept?
Most states in the U.S. do not have one law about how long to keep burial records. Each state sets its own rule. Some homes keep records for 5 years. Others keep them for 25 years or longer. A survey by the NFDA (Natl. Funeral Dir. Assoc.) found that 68% of homes keep records for 10 years or more.
Where Are the Records Stored?
Old records used to be kept on paper. Now, many funeral homes use comp. systems. Some use cloud servs. to store records safely. But there are risks. A home in FL lost some records in 2021 due to a server crash. The owner, Ms. Grant, said, “It was a hard time. We now backup every week.”
Can Families Get a Copy?
Yes. Most homes will give a copy if you ask. You may need to show an ID or proof you are family. Some homes charge a small fee. It is best to call and ask first. One woman in NY, Mrs. Tang, needed her father’s crem. record for legal papers. The funeral home found it in their 2008 file and sent it in 2 days.
What If the Home Is Closed?
If a funeral home closes, records may go to another biz or to the state. Some states have laws for this. Others do not. You can check with the Board of Funeral Dir. in your state. They may help you find old records.
Final Thoughts
Funeral homes do keep burial records, but rules are diff. across places. These records matter for families and for legal use. If you need a copy, ask the home. If they are closed, try the state office. Burial records are a way to keep memory and truth safe.
