Search Obituary, Death and Burial Records by Name
Enter the person’s first name, last name and last known state to prepare an obituary, death, burial, cemetery, memorial and related public-record search.
Find Bennie Smith Obituaries in Maryland or Delaware — Then Verify the Service
Bennie Smith obituary searches can lead to two different funeral-home websites. First choose Maryland or Delaware, then search the person’s name and location. Open the individual memorial for service details, and use the state where the death occurred when you need a certified death certificate.
Start Here: Which Bennie Smith Funeral Home Do You Need?
Bennie Smith Funeral Home of Maryland
Use this obituary system for notices connected with Chestertown, Easton, Princess Anne, Salisbury, Hurlock and surrounding Maryland Eastern Shore communities.
Bennie Smith Funeral Homes of Delaware
Use the Delaware obituary system for notices connected with Dover, Wilmington, Milford, Millsboro, Seaford and surrounding Delaware communities.
How to Find a Bennie Smith Recent Obituary
If the Obituary Does Not Appear
Try fewer words
Remove the middle name, exact age or date. Search the surname plus the town.
Try both state sites
A person may have lived in one state while arrangements were handled from the other side of Delmarva.
Try nearby dates
The memorial may be posted after arrangements are complete rather than immediately after the death.
Search the branch
Add Dover, Salisbury, Easton, Milford, Seaford, Wilmington, Hurlock, Chestertown, Princess Anne or Millsboro.
Use a relative
Add a spouse, parent, child or sibling when the deceased has a common name.
Call if the service is urgent
If the service is today or tomorrow, contact the likely Bennie Smith branch instead of repeatedly searching.
Bennie Smith Locations: Maryland and Delaware
Choose the branch connected with the individual obituary. Do not send flowers, travel or make branch-specific requests until the service location is confirmed.
Maryland / Eastern Shore locations
| Branch | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Chestertown | 855 High St., Chestertown, MD 21620 | 410-778-2161 |
| Easton | 426 E Dover St., Easton, MD 21601 | 410-822-7228 |
| Princess Anne | 30479 Prince William St., Princess Anne, MD 21853 | 410-621-0566 |
| Salisbury | 917 W. Isabella St., Salisbury, MD 21801 | 410-546-0626 |
| Hurlock | 516 S. Main St., Hurlock, MD 21643 | 410-943-4488 |
Delaware locations
| Branch | Address | Contact route |
|---|---|---|
| Dover | 717 W Division Street, Dover, DE 19904 | Delaware main line below |
| Wilmington | 741 S Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19805 | Delaware main line below |
| Milford | 274 N Rehoboth Boulevard, Milford, DE 19963 | Delaware main line below |
| Millsboro | 30587 Dupont Boulevard, Millsboro, DE 19966 | Delaware main line below |
| Seaford | 437 N Front Street, Seaford, DE 19973 | Delaware main line below |
Delaware main contact: 833-888-2009
Email: info@benniesmithfuneralhomesdelaware.com
Confirm the Correct Person Before Sharing the Obituary
| Compare | Why it helps | Pause when… |
|---|---|---|
| State | Bennie Smith has separate Maryland and Delaware operations. | The branch or service state does not match what you expected. |
| Full name | Similar names can appear across Delmarva communities. | Middle name, maiden name or nickname conflicts. |
| Age / dates | Separates a current person from an older obituary. | Age or death date differs substantially. |
| Relatives | Family names are strong identity clues. | No familiar relatives appear. |
| Branch / town | Helps distinguish Dover, Salisbury, Easton and other locations. | The notice belongs to another community. |
What to Check Before Attending a Bennie Smith Service
Time
Visitation, funeral, memorial and burial may take place at different times.
Address
The funeral home, church, cemetery and repast may all have different locations.
Public or private
Do not assume a service is open to everyone. Read the memorial carefully.
Livestream
Use only a livestream connected with the funeral home, church or family-authorized memorial.
Flowers / donations
Check whether the family prefers flowers, a named charity, memorial fund or another tribute.
Changes
If the service is soon or two sources disagree, call the branch before travelling.
What to Do When a Death Has Just Occurred
The official Bennie Smith Maryland resource explains that the correct first step depends on where and how the death occurred.
Death at home while under medical care
If the person was under a physician’s care and family or friends are present, follow the medical instructions and contact the funeral home.
Unexpected or unattended death at home
The funeral home’s guidance says police need to respond before the deceased is removed when no one was present at the residence.
Hospital or nursing facility
Facility staff normally notify the necessary authorities. Contact the funeral home as well so the provider knows to expect the institutional call.
Hospice
Follow the hospice representative’s instructions. The hospice team will coordinate required notifications and the release process.
What to Prepare for the Funeral Arrangement Meeting
Bennie Smith’s own checklist asks families to prepare personal, service and administrative information. Gather what you have; you do not need to publish these items online.
Personal details
- Full legal name.
- Home address.
- Date and place of birth.
- Parents’ names, including mother’s maiden name.
- Education and occupation.
- Recent photograph.
Planning details
- Veteran DD-214 when applicable.
- Preferred burial place if known.
- Clergy name and telephone number.
- Survivor names and relationships.
- Insurance information when relevant.
- Photos, music or memorabilia for personalization.
Maryland vs. Delaware Death Certificates
An obituary does not replace a certified death certificate. Choose the state based on where the death occurred—not where the funeral home is located.
| Record route | Current useful detail | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland state Vital Records | MDH currently lists $10 for a death certificate; internet ordering carries an additional $13 charge and optional expedited internet shipping is $20. | Eligibility, ID, relationship documents and year of death. |
| Maryland older death | Maryland DVR issues certified death certificates for deaths from 2012 onward; earlier records route to Maryland State Archives. | Year and location of death before ordering. |
| Delaware Vital Statistics | Current Delaware application lists $25 per certified death certificate. | Relationship/authority, valid photo ID and place of death. |
| Delaware older death | Death records become public at the Delaware Public Archives after 40 years. | Use archives for historical research rather than a current certified-copy request. |
Maryland certified death certificate
Maryland Division of Vital Records currently accepts requests from a surviving relative, an authorized representative, a funeral director responsible for final disposition, a person with proven legal need or a court.
A surviving relative may need documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or obituary to show relationship.
6764B Reisterstown Road
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410-764-3038
The public lobby is currently appointment-only Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Maryland also says some local health departments issue death certificates, with local fees varying by jurisdiction.
Delaware certified death certificate
Delaware currently allows orders in person, by mail, online or by telephone through the official routes. The current death-certificate application lists a $25 fee and requires valid photo identification; additional proof of relationship or authority may be requested.
| Delaware Vital Statistics office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Kent County / Dover | 805 River Road, Dover, DE 19901 | 302-744-4549 |
| New Castle County / Newark | 258 Chapman Road, Newark, DE 19702 | 302-283-7130 |
| Sussex County / Georgetown | 546 S. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947 | 302-515-3190 |
Delaware currently lists all three offices as open for customer service Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., except holidays.
Death Certificate Microsteps Before You Pay
Correcting an Obituary Is Not the Same as Correcting a Death Certificate
Contact Bennie Smith or the publisher
For a spelling, service-time, family-name or biography correction, save the memorial URL and contact the funeral home or publisher responsible for the notice.
Use the state amendment process
An obituary edit does not change a Maryland or Delaware death certificate. Government records must be corrected through the appropriate vital-record office.
Find Older Maryland or Delaware Death Records
Maryland State Archives
The Archives advises researchers to start with the location and date of death, then search the correct index. Maryland county death indexes and older death records cover many Eastern Shore counties.
Maryland says death records more than 100 years old can now be accessed online from home, while other indexed historical records may require the Archives search room.
Delaware Public Archives
Delaware death records become public after 40 years. The Archives has death indexes, cemetery/tombstone records, newspaper abstracts and other genealogy material.
Delaware residents can also access selected digitized Delaware Archives collections on Ancestry at no charge after verifying a Delaware ZIP code.
Useful Delaware archive tools
- Death-record indexes.
- Private vital statistics, tombstone and cemetery records.
- Newspaper birth, death and marriage abstracts from 1789–1850.
- Death records dating back into the 1800s and earlier collections.
- Probate, wills, church records, family Bibles and newspapers.
Verify a Bennie Smith Funeral Establishment or Funeral Professional
When licensing status matters, use the state regulator rather than a business directory or review site.
Maryland Board verification
The Maryland Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors provides separate online searches for licensees, establishments and corporations.
Microstep: open verification → choose establishment or corporation → enter “Bennie Smith” → open the matching record → compare location and status.
DELPROS license lookup
Delaware’s primary-source license system includes Funeral Services categories such as funeral establishment, branch funeral establishment, crematory establishment and funeral director.
Microstep: choose Facility → Funeral Services → enter part of the facility name → open the matching license record.
Maryland and Delaware Funeral Assistance Worth Checking
Maryland Burial Assistance
Maryland DHS provides limited funeral-expense help for certain deceased recipients of public-assistance programs when the family cannot afford funeral costs.
Potential qualifying programs can include Medical Assistance, SSI, Temporary Cash Assistance, TDAP, Public Assistance to Adults or Foster Care.
Important: Maryland says these funds cannot reimburse expenses that have already been paid.
Indigent burial route
Delaware law allows the Division of Social Services to authorize burial of an indigent person at public expense under state standards, with available Social Security, VA, insurance or other benefits reducing the public payment.
Families should contact Delaware Social Services before assuming eligibility or paying costs that might affect assistance.
Violent-crime funeral support
Delaware’s Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program may help qualifying victims and families with crime-related expenses, including funeral and burial support.
VCAP: 302-255-1770
General Assistance
Low-income Delaware residents who do not qualify for certain federal cash programs may qualify for state General Assistance. This is not automatically a funeral benefit, but it can be relevant to a household experiencing financial hardship.
Delaware DSS: 302-255-9040
Veteran Burial Benefits Near Bennie Smith Locations
Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery
Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery
6827 E New Market Ellwood Rd
Hurlock, MD 21643
Phone: 410-943-3420
Maryland currently states that eligible Veterans and eligible dependents receive a burial plot, grave liner, headstone and interment services at no expense. Separate charges apply in some National Guard, Reserve and dependent situations, so eligibility should be confirmed before arrangements are finalized.
Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemeteries
| Cemetery | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| New Castle County | 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701 | 302-834-8046 |
| Sussex County | 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966 | 302-934-5653 |
Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemeteries serve qualifying Veterans, spouses and dependent children. Current cemetery office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; grounds are open to visitors from dawn to dusk.
Funeral Price Rights Before You Agree to Pay
The Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule applies to funeral providers and gives families important price and purchasing rights.
Ask for prices by phone
A funeral provider must give price information over the telephone when you ask. You do not have to provide your name first.
Get a General Price List
When you begin discussing funeral arrangements or prices in person, ask for the itemized General Price List and keep it.
Choose individual services
You generally have the right to purchase only the funeral goods and services you want instead of an unwanted package.
Separate third-party charges
Ask which costs come from the funeral home and which come from the cemetery, newspaper, church, crematory or another provider.
Bennie Smith Grief Support and Daily Email Help
The Maryland Bennie Smith website provides grief-education resources, interactive aftercare and an optional 365-day email support program.
Online grief resources
The grief section includes educational material, interactive resources and guidance that can be accessed online.
365 days of grief support
Families can optionally subscribe to daily email messages focused on grief, reflection and recovery and unsubscribe when ready.
Flowers, Tribute Walls and Donation Safety
Flowers
Use the flower option linked from the correct individual memorial only after confirming the service location and family preference.
Tribute wall
Assume messages and uploaded memories may be public. Keep private addresses, medical information and financial details out of condolences.
Donations
If a memorial names a charity, verify that organization on its own official website before entering card information.
After the Funeral Home Is Chosen: What Comes Next?
Social Security
Ask whether the funeral director reported the death to Social Security. If reporting is not confirmed, contact SSA.
Death certificates
Ask each bank, insurer, pension office or estate professional whether it needs a certified original before ordering many copies.
Veteran benefits
Locate the DD-214, death certificate, funeral invoice and cemetery documents early.
Insurance
Keep policy numbers and beneficiary paperwork private and use the insurer’s official claim channel.
Estate / probate
Maryland and Delaware estate procedures are separate. The correct court or Register of Wills depends on the decedent’s legal situation.
Keep a log
Record the date, organization, representative, documents sent, confirmation number and next action.
Common Mistakes That Delay Bennie Smith Searches
Searching only one state
Check the Maryland and Delaware obituary systems separately when the family has Delmarva connections.
Using only one spelling
Try nicknames, maiden names, initials and previous surnames.
Calling the wrong branch
Match the obituary’s service city before calling or sending flowers.
Ordering from the wrong state
The death certificate comes from the jurisdiction where the death occurred.
Trusting an old service time
Open the current memorial and call if the event is near.
Posting sensitive information
Keep Social Security numbers, insurance details, medical information and family disputes private.
Related RecentObituaries.info Guides
Obituary Search & Recent Notices
Search by name, funeral home, newspaper, date, city and cemetery clue.
Death Certificate & Vital Records
Know when public obituary information is not enough for a bank, insurer or estate.
How We Verify Obituary Information
See how funeral homes, government offices, newspapers and cemeteries are checked.
Funeral Costs & Consumer Rights
Understand price lists, packages and funeral purchasing rights.
Veterans Burial & Memorial Benefits
VA and state routes for burial, flags, markers and cemetery benefits.
After-Death Notification Checklist
Organize Social Security, banks, insurance, mail, records and other follow-up tasks.
Official and Primary Sources Used
Bennie Smith Funeral Home Maryland — Obituaries Name, sorting and location filters for Maryland/Eastern Shore notices. Bennie Smith Funeral Homes of Delaware — Obituaries Delaware memorials, service details, tribute walls and event information. Bennie Smith Maryland — Facilities & Directions Maryland branch addresses, telephone numbers and routing. Bennie Smith — When a Death Occurs Immediate steps, funeral-arrangement preparation and document checklist. Maryland Department of Health — Death Certificates Eligibility, ordering, record-year rules and authorized vendor information. Delaware Office of Vital Statistics State offices, ordering methods and official vital-record forms. Maryland State Archives — Death Records Historical death indexes and older Maryland death-record research. Delaware Public Archives — Digital Archives Historic death, cemetery, newspaper and genealogy resources. Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families — Cemeteries Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery and statewide cemetery information. Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery Bear and Millsboro cemetery locations, hours and eligibility routes. Maryland DHS — Burial Assistance Limited help for qualifying deceased public-assistance recipients. Federal Trade Commission — Funeral Rule Price disclosure and consumer-choice protections.Bennie Smith Recent Obituary FAQs
Where can I find Bennie Smith recent obituaries?
First choose Maryland or Delaware. Bennie Smith Funeral Home of Maryland has its own obituary search, while Bennie Smith Funeral Homes of Delaware has a separate obituary listing.
Why are there two Bennie Smith obituary websites?
The Maryland and Delaware operations use separate websites and obituary systems. The Delaware operation’s history page says ownership of its Delaware locations changed in 2022, while the Maryland operation continues to serve the Eastern Shore through its own website and locations.
Which Bennie Smith locations are in Maryland?
The current Maryland website lists Chestertown, Easton, Princess Anne, Salisbury and Hurlock.
Which Bennie Smith locations are in Delaware?
The current Delaware website lists Dover, Wilmington, Milford, Millsboro and Seaford.
How do I search a Bennie Smith obituary by name?
Open the correct state obituary page, search the full name, then try surname only, nickname, maiden name or another location when needed. The Maryland page also provides a location filter.
What should I verify before attending a funeral?
Confirm the correct person, date, time, exact venue, public or private status, cemetery, parking, livestream and branch. Call the funeral home when the service is soon or details conflict.
What should a family prepare when meeting the funeral arranger?
Bennie Smith’s own checklist includes the deceased person’s legal name, address, birth details, parents’ names, Social Security number, Veteran discharge papers when applicable, photograph, education, occupation, burial place, clergy details, survivors and relevant insurance information. Sensitive information should be kept private.
How much is a Maryland death certificate?
Maryland’s current state fee page lists $10 for a death certificate. Online ordering has an additional internet fee and optional expedited shipping can cost more. Local health-department fees can differ.
How much is a Delaware death certificate?
The current Delaware death-certificate application lists $25 per certificate. If a record is not located, the fee is retained for the search.
Where do I order an older Maryland death record?
Maryland Division of Vital Records currently issues certified death certificates for deaths from 2012 onward. For earlier records, use Maryland State Archives.
When do Delaware death records become public?
Delaware Public Archives says death records become available as public records after 40 years.
Does Maryland offer help with funeral expenses?
Maryland DHS has a Burial Assistance program for certain deceased public-assistance recipients when the family cannot afford funeral costs. Eligibility, asset and timing rules apply.
Can Delaware help with funeral expenses after a violent crime?
Delaware’s Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program may provide funeral and burial support for qualifying crime victims and families.
Does Delaware provide a free Veteran death certificate?
Delaware Office of Veterans Services says the State Registrar provides one certified copy of a Veteran’s death certificate at no charge to next of kin when it is needed to settle the Veteran’s affairs.
Where is the Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery?
It is at 6827 E New Market Ellwood Road, Hurlock, Maryland 21643. The cemetery is operated by the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families.
Does Bennie Smith offer grief support?
The Maryland Bennie Smith website provides online grief resources, interactive aftercare and an optional 365-day daily email support program.
Before You Share, Travel, Send Flowers or Pay
- Choose the Maryland or Delaware Bennie Smith system first.
- Confirm the correct person using more than the name alone.
- Use the individual memorial for current service information.
- Call the correct branch when the event is soon.
- Use the state where the death occurred for certified records.
- Use Maryland or Delaware archives for older records.
- Verify funeral licenses through the correct state regulator when needed.
- Check burial, Veteran and crime-victim assistance before assuming every cost must be paid privately.
- Keep Social Security numbers, insurance details, medical information and other private data out of public obituary pages.
RecentObituaries.info is an independent source-navigation guide. It is not Bennie Smith Funeral Home of Maryland, Bennie Smith Funeral Homes of Delaware, a government vital-record office, cemetery, Social Security, the VA or the FTC. Verify final information with the organization responsible for the notice, service, record or benefit.