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 Recent Arkansas Obituaries and Verify What to Do Next
Start with the person’s full name and one Arkansas city or county. Confirm the notice through the handling funeral home before relying on service information. Use Arkansas Vital Records when you need certified legal proof instead of a public obituary.
Quick Answer: What Are You Trying to Find?
Recent obituary
Search the full name first. Add a city, county or funeral-home location only when the name is common.
Funeral details
Use the handling funeral home to verify visitation, funeral, burial, livestream and family instructions.
Older obituary
Use Arkansas State Archives, regional archives and digitized historical newspapers.
Legal proof
Use Arkansas Department of Health when an estate, insurer, bank or government agency needs a certified death certificate.
Choose the Source That Matches Your Task
| What you need | Best starting source | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Newest public notice | Statewide obituary directory or local newspaper | Find the notice, then confirm the person through the handling funeral home. |
| Current funeral information | Handling funeral home | Recheck date, time, venue, cemetery and livestream shortly before attending. |
| Historic obituary | Arkansas State Archives, regional archive or historical newspaper collection | Search surname, relatives, county and nearby dates. |
| Certified legal record | Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records | Check eligibility, identification, fee and ordering method before paying. |
| Veteran burial | Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs or U.S. VA | Verify cemetery type, eligibility and current burial availability. |
| Funeral/cemetery complaint | Arkansas Insurance Department Funeral Services Division | Use the complaint form that matches the funeral, burial association or regulated cemetery issue. |
How to Find a Recent Arkansas Obituary
Search the Person’s Arkansas Connections, Not Just One City
Little Rock region
Try Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Cabot, Maumelle, Benton, Bryant, Conway, Pulaski, Saline and Faulkner County.
Fayetteville–Bentonville
Try Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, Siloam Springs, Washington County and Benton County.
Fort Smith–Russellville
Try Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Greenwood, Russellville, Sebastian, Crawford and Pope County.
Jonesboro–Paragould
Try Jonesboro, Paragould, Blytheville, Newport, Batesville and surrounding counties.
Pine Bluff–El Dorado
Try Pine Bluff, El Dorado, Camden, Magnolia, Monticello and the funeral provider’s county.
Hot Springs–Texarkana
Try Hot Springs, Texarkana, Hope, Mena, De Queen, Arkadelphia and nearby border communities.
Confirm the Correct Person Before Sharing the Notice
| Compare | Why it matters | Pause when… |
|---|---|---|
| Age or birth year | Separates people with similar names. | The age differs substantially. |
| Relatives | Spouse, parents and children are strong identity clues. | None of the family names match. |
| City or county | Connects the notice with the expected Arkansas community. | There is no known geographic connection. |
| Funeral home | Provides a first-party confirmation route. | The provider serves an unrelated area. |
| Dates | Separates a new notice from an old obituary. | The result belongs to another year. |
See how RecentObituaries.info verifies obituary information.
Before Travelling to an Arkansas Funeral or Memorial
Check every time
Visitation, funeral, memorial, graveside and burial may happen on different days.
Check every address
The funeral home, church, cemetery and reception may all use separate locations.
Public or private?
Do not assume every event is open to the public.
Livestream
Use only a stream linked from the funeral home, church or authorized memorial.
Flowers or donations
Follow the family’s stated preference and verify charities through their official websites.
Conflicting information
If two reliable pages disagree, call the handling funeral home before travelling or paying.
No Arkansas Obituary Found? Try This Order
Find Older Arkansas Obituaries and Death Notices
Older notices may appear under headings such as deaths, funeral notices, local news, church reports or community columns instead of “obituaries.”
Arkansas State Archives
The Archives currently offers up to two hours of free research for people who cannot visit one of its locations.
Provide names, dates, counties and the exact record type you are looking for.
Digitized Arkansas newspapers
The Arkansas Digital Newspaper Project has digitized more than 300,000 newspaper pages for the Library of Congress Chronicling America collection.
What to expect from an archive request
| Step | Current archive guidance |
|---|---|
| Free research | Up to two hours for patrons who cannot visit. |
| Confirmation | The Archives says request confirmation normally arrives within three to four days. |
| Research result | Results may take one to three weeks after confirmation depending on workload. |
Regional archive shortcut
Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives
11 Seventh Street
Powhatan, AR 72458
870-878-6521
Useful when the person or family had strong northeast Arkansas connections. Some regional material is not yet represented in online searches.
Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives
2-1 Hwy 195
Washington, Arkansas
870-983-2633
Useful for southwest Arkansas genealogy, county and community history.
How to Order an Arkansas Death Certificate
Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records issues certified copies of Arkansas death records to eligible requesters.
| Charge | Current amount | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| First certified copy | $10 | The $10 is kept as a search fee if no record is found or no copy is made. |
| Additional same-record copy | $8 each | Must be ordered at the same time. |
| Online processing | $5 | Nonrefundable processing fee. |
| Online identity verification | $1.85 | Nonrefundable. Shipping or expedited delivery may cost extra. |
Choose your ordering method
| Method | Current guidance | Best preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Typically 7–14 business days after approval plus shipping. | Eligibility, ID information, death details and card. |
| Allow about 10–14 days for processing plus mail delivery. | Application, ID copy and check or money order. Do not send cash. | |
| Walk-in | Little Rock office: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except state holidays. Routine requests can often be completed the same day when an eligible customer arrives by 4:00 p.m. | Acceptable ID, record details and payment. |
| Telephone | Call 866-209-9482. | Record details, identity information and payment card. |
| Local health unit | ADH currently says Vital Records services are available in all local health units. | Check your local unit before visiting for hours and available service. |
Little Rock Vital Records office
Arkansas Department of Health — Vital Records
4815 West Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
General ADH: 1-800-462-0599
Telephone certificate orders: 866-209-9482
Before ordering
- Confirm the death occurred in Arkansas.
- Check whether you are an eligible requester.
- Prepare acceptable identification.
- Use the deceased person’s legal name and possible alternate names.
- Confirm date and place of death.
- Check the full current fee before payment.
- Save the confirmation number for order-status tracking.
Veteran’s Free Arkansas Death Certificate Copy
Arkansas Department of Health provides a special request form for a free Veteran birth or death certificate copy when the certificate will be provided to the Veterans Administration to determine eligibility for benefits.
Who signs?
The official form identifies the Veteran, Veteran’s beneficiary or authorized representative as possible signers. A funeral director may sign as an authorized representative for family members.
What else is needed?
A completed birth or death certificate application must accompany the free-copy request form.
Important limitation
The free copy is specifically connected with providing the certificate to VA for benefit-eligibility determination.
Funeral and After-Death Help Families May Miss
Violent-crime funeral compensation
Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board may compensate eligible claimants when a death results from violent crime.
Current Arkansas rules allow up to $7,500 for funeral expenses, subject to eligibility, other available payment sources and program rules.
Contact: 501-682-1020
Search for deceased relatives’ unclaimed property
The Arkansas Auditor of State says estates and lawful heirs can claim unclaimed property belonging to a deceased relative.
The state does not charge a fee to search for or claim unclaimed property.
Help: 1-800-CLAIMIT
Arkansas Veteran Cemetery and Burial Help
Arkansas State Veterans Cemeteries
| Cemetery | Contact | Current state benefit |
|---|---|---|
| North Little Rock | 1501 West Maryland Avenue • 501-683-2259 | Eligible Veteran interment currently listed at no cost. |
| Birdeye | 3600 Hwy 163 • 870-588-4608 | Eligible Veteran interment currently listed at no cost. |
Pre-registration checklist
- Veteran’s DD-214 or equivalent discharge document.
- Signed cemetery pre-eligibility application.
- Marriage license when applicable.
- Required spouse/dependent payment when applicable.
VA National Cemeteries in Arkansas
| Cemetery | Address | Current VA status |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville National Cemetery | 1000 S Lt. Col. Leroy Pond Avenue, Fayetteville | Open |
| Fort Smith National Cemetery | 522 Garland Avenue, Fort Smith | Open |
| Little Rock National Cemetery | 2523 Springer Boulevard, Little Rock | Closed to normal new interments; limited subsequent-interment exceptions may apply. |
Funeral Price Rights Before You Agree to Pay
Ask for prices by phone
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral provider must give price information by telephone when you ask.
Get the General Price List
When discussing arrangements in person, ask for the itemized General Price List and keep it.
Choose individual services
You generally have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want instead of an unwanted package.
Compare outside charges
Separate funeral-home charges from cemetery, obituary, clergy, crematory and other third-party costs.
Funeral Home, Cemetery and Prepaid-Funeral Problems
Arkansas Insurance Department Funeral Services Division oversees several parts of the state’s death-care industry.
Check Arkansas Unclaimed Property for a Deceased Relative
After estate paperwork is underway, it can be worth checking Arkansas’s official Great Arkansas Treasure Hunt for forgotten financial assets.
Property can include
- Bank-account balances.
- Unpaid wages or commissions.
- Stocks and bonds.
- Utility deposits.
- Insurance proceeds.
- Cashier’s checks or money orders.
- Safe-deposit-box contents.
Obituary Correction vs. Death Certificate Correction
Contact the original publisher
For a misspelled name, wrong service time or biography error, contact the funeral home, newspaper or person who submitted the public notice.
Contact Arkansas Vital Records
Changing an obituary does not change the death certificate. Arkansas treats certificate corrections and amendments as a separate Vital Records process.
After You Find the Obituary
Save the official notice
Keep the obituary and funeral-home memorial URLs together.
Confirm each address
Write down funeral, church, cemetery and reception locations separately.
Social Security
Ask the funeral home whether the death was reported to SSA. Contact SSA if reporting is not confirmed.
Certificates
Ask banks, insurers and estate professionals how many certified copies they actually require.
Benefits
Check Veteran, crime-victim and other applicable programs early rather than after every bill is paid.
Financial assets
Later in the estate process, check Arkansas unclaimed property for the deceased owner’s name.
Official and Primary Sources Used
Arkansas Department of Health — Order Death Records Certificate fees, eligible ordering routes, processing, local health units, office hours and Veteran form. Arkansas State Archives — Research Services Free research allowance, request requirements and response timing. Arkansas Digital Newspaper Project Digitized Arkansas newspaper material and Chronicling America access. Arkansas Insurance Department — Funeral Services Funeral directors, cemeteries, burial associations and prepaid funeral oversight. Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board Financial compensation for eligible victims and claimants after violent crime. Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs — Veteran Cemeteries Eligibility, current state cemetery charges, pre-registration and interment benefits. U.S. VA — Arkansas Cemeteries National and VA grant-funded cemetery addresses and current burial-space status. Arkansas Auditor of State — Unclaimed Property Free search and claim route for owners, estates and lawful heirs.Related RecentObituaries.info Guides
Obituary Search Guide
Use names, places, funeral homes, newspapers, dates and relatives to find the right notice.
Death Certificate & Vital Records
Know when public obituary information is not enough for legal purposes.
How We Verify Obituary Information
See the source hierarchy used for funeral homes, publishers, government offices and cemeteries.
Veterans Burial & Memorial Benefits
Federal and state routes for burial, honors, flags, markers and memorial benefits.
Funeral Costs & Consumer Rights
Understand price lists, packages and funeral consumer protections.
After-Death Notification Checklist
Organize Social Security, records, banks, insurance, mail, benefits and fraud protection.
Arkansas Obituary and Death Record FAQs
Where should I start when searching for a recent Arkansas obituary?
Start with the full name and one city or county. If the name is common, add a funeral-home location or another identity clue. Confirm the final result through the handling funeral home.
How can I find Arkansas obituaries published today?
Use a current Arkansas obituary directory, relevant newspaper and funeral-home website. Always check the displayed publication date because search results can surface older notices.
Why can’t I find a recent Arkansas obituary?
The notice may be delayed, private, posted only by a funeral home, published under a nickname or maiden name, or connected with another city. Search surname-only results, alternate names and a wider date range.
What is the best source for current funeral details?
The handling funeral home is usually the best source for current visitation, funeral, burial, cemetery, livestream and family instructions.
How much is an Arkansas death certificate?
Arkansas currently lists $10 for the first certified copy and $8 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Online orders also have processing, identity-verification and possible shipping charges.
Can I get an Arkansas death certificate from a local health unit?
Yes. Arkansas Department of Health currently states that Vital Records services are available in all local health units. Check the selected location before visiting.
Does Arkansas offer a free death certificate for Veterans?
Arkansas provides a special form for one free Veteran birth or death certificate copy when the certificate will be provided to the Veterans Administration to determine eligibility for benefits. The official form must be used with the required certificate application.
Can Arkansas help pay funeral costs after a violent crime?
The Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations program may compensate eligible claimants after a violent-crime death. Current state rules allow up to $7,500 for eligible funeral expenses, subject to program requirements and other payment sources.
Are Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery burials free?
Arkansas currently lists no charge for eligible Veteran interment at its state veterans cemeteries. The state currently lists an $807 fee for an eligible spouse or qualified dependent.
Which VA national cemeteries are open in Arkansas?
The VA currently lists Fayetteville National Cemetery and Fort Smith National Cemetery as open. Little Rock National Cemetery is closed to normal new interments, although limited subsequent-interment exceptions can apply.
How do I complain about an Arkansas funeral home?
Use the Arkansas Insurance Department Funeral Services Division complaint process. Choose the form that matches a funeral establishment, funeral director, burial association or regulated perpetual-care cemetery issue.
Who regulates Arkansas cemeteries?
The Arkansas Insurance Department regulates licensed perpetual-care cemeteries. Its oversight does not cover every privately owned, family, church or municipal cemetery.
Can heirs claim Arkansas unclaimed property belonging to someone who died?
Yes. The Arkansas Auditor of State says an estate or lawful heir can file a claim for property belonging to a deceased owner. The state does not charge a claim fee, but documentation proving heirship may be required.
How do I find an old Arkansas obituary?
Use Arkansas State Archives, regional archives and Chronicling America. Search surname, relatives, county, church, cemetery and a wider date range when full-text searching fails.
Does correcting an obituary correct the Arkansas death certificate?
No. The public obituary and the government death record are separate. A death-certificate correction or amendment must go through Arkansas Vital Records.
Before You Share, Travel or Pay
- Confirm the correct person with more than a matching name.
- Use the handling funeral home for current arrangements.
- Verify funeral and cemetery addresses separately.
- Use Arkansas Vital Records for certified documents.
- Check a local health unit before assuming you must travel to Little Rock.
- Check Veteran, crime-victim or other eligible assistance before assuming every funeral cost must be paid privately.
- Use official regulator complaint routes for serious funeral, cemetery or prepaid-contract problems.
- Use the free Arkansas Auditor search before paying a company to look for unclaimed property.
- Do not publish private medical, financial or family information that is not part of an authorized public notice.
RecentObituaries.info provides independent source-navigation and educational information. Verify final service details, fees, eligibility and legal-record requirements with the funeral home, cemetery or government office responsible for the information.