Thinking of approaching a funeral home director for help with your roots? Not all are keen on genealogists (and some have privacy policies), but many are very helpful. Try calling first to learn the basics – whether they respond to requests, what details are needed to conduct a search (their records might be organized by name or date, and they often have a card or computer file that leads them to more detailed records – a multi-step process for them), and any fees that might be involved. Then follow up with a letter as instructed – and be specific about what you'd like. It used to be common practice for funeral homes to place obituaries, so some have family fact sheets on the deceased, but they're not apt to send a copy unless you request it. At a minimum, ask for the cemetery involved, names of survivors, and the person who paid for the funeral.[ Next Page ] - Click Here