Help needed for an odd problem...

[tchrrx]

My mom and aunt just found out that their brother passed away last year. They had been estranged for many years. Mom would like to know the cause of death. All I can find via google is a very brief obit basically stating the birth & death dates. Other than searching his name, location, and death date, do you have any other ideas? Thanks!

 

[clh2]

Sorry - estranged or not...it is hard to hear that a sibling has passed away.

As your mom and sibling are directly related - can they request a copy of the death certificate? The 3 places you might be able to check for this are the county coroner (I am assuming an autopsy was performed.); the funeral home that assisted with the family; or the county where the death was registered at.

I do not know if the above are able to help - this is simply where I would start.

 

[Disney Doll]

Good answer clh2. I think death certificates are technically public information, so you could check with the city/town hall in the city/town where he died.

 

[Hannathy]

If you know the town he died in/lived in I would check on line all the funeral homes because most have on line obituaries of people who have used their services and often they are a bit wordier.



If it wasn't a particularly nasty estrangement maybe they could send a note of sympathy to any children/spouse expressing sympathy and gently asking what he died of, was it expected/surprised, etc and they may respond back.

Or are there any second cousin types who may still be in the family knowledge chain but not close to the brother that they wouldn't mind talking about him even though they were estranged that they could contact?

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Death certificates are public record, anyone can go to the county clerks office and make a copy