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 South Shore MA Obituaries, Funeral Details & Death Records
Start with The Patriot Ledger for many South Shore notices, but do not stop there. The Enterprise is useful around Brockton and Bridgewater, while Old Colony Memorial covers many Plymouth-area notices. Confirm service details with the funeral home and use Massachusetts Vital Records or the correct town clerk when you need a certified death certificate.
Choose What You Need to Do
Find a recent obituary
Start with the newspaper route that best matches the person’s South Shore community.
Confirm a service
Use the handling funeral home for current visitation, service, cemetery and livestream details.
Find an older notice
Use local library microfilm, Old Colony Memorial resources and Massachusetts Archives.
Handle paperwork
Use Vital Records for certified proof and Probate and Family Court for estate matters.
Which South Shore Obituary Source Should You Search?
“South Shore” covers many towns and more than one newspaper market. The fastest search depends on where the person lived, where the funeral home is located and which publication the family used.
| Area / likely connection | Useful obituary source | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, Hingham, Scituate, Marshfield and nearby | The Patriot Ledger | Check today’s Patriot Ledger obituaries |
| Brockton, Bridgewater, Whitman, East/West Bridgewater and nearby | The Enterprise | Check today’s Enterprise obituaries |
| Plymouth, Kingston, Carver and nearby | Old Colony Memorial | Check today’s Old Colony Memorial obituaries |
| Uncertain South Shore location | Massachusetts-wide obituary search | Browse Massachusetts obituaries |
How to Find One South Shore Obituary
For more search techniques, see our obituary search guide.
South Shore Towns to Try in Your Search
Quincy–Braintree–Weymouth
Try Quincy, North Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, South Weymouth, Holbrook and Randolph.
Hingham–Scituate–Cohasset
Try Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Scituate, Norwell and nearby coastal communities.
Hanover–Rockland–Abington
Try Hanover, Rockland, Abington, Whitman, Hanson and Pembroke.
Marshfield–Duxbury–Kingston
Try Marshfield, Duxbury, Kingston and nearby Plymouth County communities.
Plymouth–Carver
Try Plymouth, North Plymouth, Manomet, Cedarville, Carver, Plympton and Halifax.
Brockton–Bridgewater
Try Brockton, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman and nearby towns.
Confirm the Correct Person Before Sharing the Notice
| Check | Why it helps | Pause when… |
|---|---|---|
| Age or birth year | Separates people with similar names. | The age differs significantly. |
| South Shore town | Confirms the expected local connection. | There is no known town or county connection. |
| Relatives | Spouse, parents and children are strong identity clues. | Family names do not match. |
| Funeral home | Provides a first-party verification route. | The provider serves an unrelated area. |
| School / college | Useful for common local surnames. | Education or biography conflicts with known facts. |
| Publication date | Separates a recent death from an older obituary. | The notice belongs to another year. |
See how RecentObituaries.info verifies obituary information.
Before Attending a Funeral or Memorial Service
Check every time
Visitation, funeral, Mass, memorial, burial and reception may be scheduled separately.
Save every address
The funeral home, church, cemetery and reception may be in different towns.
Public or private?
Do not assume every service is open to everyone. Check the memorial wording.
Parking
Older South Shore churches and funeral homes can have limited lots. Call when parking details are unclear.
Livestream
Use only a link supplied by the funeral home, church or family-authorized memorial.
Flowers or donations
Follow the family instructions on the original memorial, not a copied social post.
South Shore Obituary Submission Routes & Starting Prices
Newspaper obituary pricing changes with length, photos, publication dates and selected products. The amounts below are current advertised starting prices, not guaranteed final totals.
| Publication | Current advertised starting price | Useful area |
|---|---|---|
| The Patriot Ledger | $85 | Quincy and much of the traditional northern/central South Shore. |
| The Enterprise | $105 | Brockton, Bridgewater and nearby southeastern Massachusetts communities. |
| Old Colony Memorial | $75.90 | Plymouth and surrounding communities. |
Submission checklist
- Legal name and preferred nickname.
- Birth and death dates, if the family wants them published.
- Surviving and predeceased family names.
- Funeral, visitation, Mass or memorial details.
- Correct church, funeral-home and cemetery addresses.
- Family-approved photo.
- Flower or memorial-donation instructions.
- Final proof reviewed by another family member.
How to Find Older South Shore Obituaries
Older deaths may appear under “death notices,” “funeral notices,” church news or local columns instead of an obituary heading.
| Area | Useful historical route | What it can add |
|---|---|---|
| Brockton area | Brockton Public Library | The Enterprise microfilm from January 1880 to present plus earlier Brockton-area papers. |
| Plymouth area | Plymouth Public Library | Old Colony Memorial microfilm, digital reader and genealogy databases. |
| Statewide historical death records | Massachusetts Archives | Vital records for 1841–1935 and free digital images for many 1841–1930 records through FamilySearch. |
| Recent state records | RVRS / local clerk | Certified death records for legal or estate use. |
Search terms for older newspapers
Useful when “obituary” was not used as a heading.
May locate service information when a death notice is short.
Useful for burial or cemetery announcements.
Important for older family-history searches.
Can overcome poor OCR or abbreviated first names.
Try Quincy, Weymouth, Brockton, Plymouth or another likely community.
South Shore Library Resources That Can Save Time
Brockton Public Library newspaper archive
The library keeps several local newspapers on microfilm, including:
- The Enterprise / Brockton Enterprise: January 1880 to present.
- Brockton Gazette: selected years from 1874–1894.
- Brockton Times: 1895–1934.
- North Bridgewater Gazette: selected years from 1851–1874.
The library currently lists $3 per obituary or news-item copy requested from a Brockton newspaper by mail.
Plymouth Public Library
The library maintains Old Colony Memorial microfilm and a digital reader for scanning newspaper material.
Its genealogy resources also include databases such as American Ancestors, Ancestry, Fold3, HeritageQuest and Newspapers.com, with access rules depending on the database.
How to Order a Massachusetts Death Certificate
Massachusetts death records can be requested through the Registry of Vital Records and Statistics or through the appropriate city or town clerk. Use the official certificate when a bank, insurer, pension, estate, property office or government program requires proof.
Current RVRS fees
| Order method | Current fee | Current guidance |
|---|---|---|
| In person at RVRS | $20 per copy | Usually processed immediately when the record is available. |
| By mail | $32 per copy | Mass.gov currently says mail orders may take up to 30 business days. |
| Online / phone | $54 first copy | VitalChek route; current online processing is typically 7–10 business days. |
| Online / phone additional copy | $42 each | Additional-copy rate within the online/phone order route. |
Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor
Dorchester, MA 02125
Phone: 617-740-2600
Current counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Death-certificate microsteps
For a broader explanation, use our death certificate and vital records guide.
Check the South Shore Town Clerk Before Paying State Fees
Local certified-copy fees can be lower than ordering through RVRS. The record must be available in that town, and each clerk sets its own current fee.
| Town | Current listed death-certificate fee | Local rule / action |
|---|---|---|
| Hingham | $10 certified copy | Hingham keeps records for residents at death and nonresidents whose death occurred in Hingham. |
| Braintree | $12 certified copy | Braintree states it holds records for people who died in Braintree or were Braintree residents at death. |
| Weymouth | $15 certified copy | Weymouth advises calling the clerk first if you are unsure whether the record is on file. |
Older Massachusetts Death Records
The Massachusetts Archives is useful for historical genealogy research rather than recent legal paperwork.
1841–1935 state vital records
The Massachusetts Archives holds state vital records for this historical period.
The Archives currently warns of a long wait for certified archival requests, so use a town/city clerk when an appropriate local record is available and certification is needed quickly.
Free digital images
The Archives says digital images for many original Massachusetts birth, marriage and death records from 1841–1930 are available free through FamilySearch.
Which Probate Court Handles a South Shore Estate?
South Shore communities are split mainly between Norfolk County and Plymouth County. Use the deceased person’s legal domicile, not simply the newspaper or funeral-home location.
| Community examples | Probate court | Current contact |
|---|---|---|
| Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Cohasset, Randolph | Norfolk Probate and Family Court | 35 Shawmut Road, Canton • 781-830-1200 |
| Hingham, Hull, Scituate, Norwell, Hanover, Rockland, Plymouth, Marshfield, Duxbury, Kingston | Plymouth Probate and Family Court | 52 Obery Street, Plymouth • 508-747-6204 |
| Brockton / Bridgewater-area access | Brockton Probate and Family Court | 215 Main Street, Brockton • 508-897-5400 |
Funeral & Burial Payment Assistance
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance may help when a Massachusetts resident dies without enough resources to pay the funeral and final disposition costs.
Up to $1,100
If eligible, DTA may pay up to $1,100 of the outstanding funeral and burial balance.
$3,500 total-cost limit
The total funeral, cremation and burial/final-disposition cost cannot exceed $3,500 for this program.
Payment goes to funeral home
The payment is made directly to the licensed funeral establishment, not reimbursed to a family that has already paid the bill in full.
Documents families may need
- Death certificate.
- Itemized funeral and cemetery bills.
- Receipts for payments already made.
- Prepaid funeral or burial contracts.
- Life insurance information.
- Bank-account and resource information for the deceased and next of kin.
Verify a Massachusetts Funeral Director Before Paying
Massachusetts funeral directors and embalmers are regulated by the Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing.
Check the license free
The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure provides a public license-search system for Embalming and Funeral Directing.
You can search by a person’s name or by business information without knowing the license number.
Problem with a funeral director?
Massachusetts directs consumers with licensing-related concerns to the Division of Occupational Licensure Office of Investigations.
Investigations: 617-701-7406
Massachusetts pre-need protections
If you prepay for a funeral, Massachusetts requires standardized pre-need documentation. The state consumer fact sheet also describes a 10-day cooling-off period after signing.
- Ask which goods and services have guaranteed prices.
- Get the standardized contract and itemized statement.
- Know whether funds are held in trust or through insurance.
- Keep the bank/insurance information and policy or account number.
- Tell a trusted family member where the contract is stored.
Veteran Burial & Cemetery Help
Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne
Connery Avenue
Bourne, MA 02532
Phone: 508-563-7113
Visitation: daily, dawn to dusk
Office: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., except federal holidays
VA currently lists the Massachusetts National Cemetery as open for burial space.
Massachusetts local Veterans Service Officers
Massachusetts has a Veterans Service Officer in every city and town. A local VSO can help eligible veterans and dependents with state benefits, referrals and burial-related questions.
Massachusetts state veterans cemeteries
The Commonwealth also operates veterans cemeteries in Agawam and Winchendon. Current state guidance lists:
- No initial burial charge for eligible veterans.
- $300 for eligible spouse/dependent full-casket burial.
- $150 for eligible spouse/dependent cremation interment.
For the larger federal process, use our veterans burial and memorial benefits guide.
What If You Still Cannot Find the Obituary?
After You Find the Obituary
- Save the obituary and funeral-home URLs.
- Write the service and cemetery addresses separately.
- Recheck the funeral-home memorial before travelling.
- Ask whether the funeral home reported the death to Social Security.
- Ask each institution whether it really requires a certified death certificate.
- Compare local town-clerk pricing with the state RVRS route.
- Check DTA funeral-payment help before paying the full balance if resources are limited.
- Check veteran burial benefits and local VSO help when applicable.
- Keep receipts, case numbers, certificates and probate documents secure.
For a complete sequence, use our after-death notification checklist.
Official & Primary Sources Used
The Patriot Ledger Obituaries Current South Shore notices, locations, funeral-home links and publication route. The Enterprise Obituaries Current Brockton/Bridgewater-area notices and funeral-home connections. Old Colony Memorial Obituaries Current Plymouth-area notices. Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records and Statistics Certified record ordering, current fees and processing routes. Massachusetts Archives — Vital Records Historical state vital records and genealogy access. Brockton Public Library Local History Enterprise microfilm from 1880 to present and local newspaper-copy service. Plymouth Public Library Local History Old Colony Memorial microfilm and genealogy databases. Massachusetts DTA Funeral & Burial Payment Assistance Eligibility, payment amount, cost limit and application route. Massachusetts Board of Registration in Embalming and Funeral Directing Licensing, consumer information and complaint resources. VA — Massachusetts National Cemetery Bourne cemetery address, burial availability and scheduling information.Related RecentObituaries.info Guides
Name, town, funeral home, newspaper, date and cemetery search techniques.
Understand when certified government proof is needed.
Official VA cemetery, burial, flag and marker starting points.
Price-list rights and questions to ask before paying.
Social Security, banks, insurance, records, mail and fraud-prevention tasks.
See the source hierarchy used for funeral homes, newspapers and government records.
South Shore Massachusetts Obituary FAQs
Where should I start when searching for recent South Shore MA obituaries?
Start with The Patriot Ledger for many Quincy, Weymouth, Braintree, Hingham and South Shore notices. For Brockton and Bridgewater-area deaths, also search The Enterprise. For Plymouth-area notices, check Old Colony Memorial.
How do I find today’s Patriot Ledger obituaries?
Use the current Patriot Ledger obituary page on Legacy. Check the actual publication date and then confirm service information with the handling funeral home.
What if the obituary is not in The Patriot Ledger?
Try The Enterprise, Old Colony Memorial, another local newspaper, the funeral-home website and a Massachusetts-wide obituary search. South Shore newspaper coverage overlaps.
How much does it cost to place a Patriot Ledger obituary?
The current Legacy placement page advertises Patriot Ledger obituary placement starting at $85. The final cost depends on length, photos, dates and options, so review the live quote before paying.
Where can I find old Brockton obituaries?
Brockton Public Library keeps The Enterprise/Brockton Enterprise on microfilm from January 1880 to the present, plus several older Brockton newspapers. It currently lists a $3 charge for an obituary or news-item copy requested from a Brockton newspaper.
Does Plymouth Public Library have old newspaper records?
Yes. Plymouth Public Library has Old Colony Memorial microfilm and provides additional genealogy databases and local-history resources.
How much is a Massachusetts death certificate?
Massachusetts RVRS currently lists $20 per copy in person, $32 by mail, and $54 for the first online or phone copy with $42 for each additional copy in the same online or phone order route.
Can a South Shore town clerk be cheaper than Massachusetts RVRS?
Yes. Local fees vary. Current examples include $10 for a certified Hingham death certificate, $12 in Braintree and $15 in Weymouth. Confirm that the local clerk holds the record and recheck the current fee before ordering.
Where do I probate an estate for someone from Quincy or Weymouth?
Quincy and Weymouth are served by Norfolk Probate and Family Court in Canton. Use the deceased person’s legal domicile to confirm the correct probate court.
Where do I probate an estate for someone from Hingham or Plymouth?
Hingham, Plymouth and many other Plymouth County South Shore communities are served by Plymouth Probate and Family Court. A Brockton location also serves the Plymouth County court system.
Does Massachusetts help pay funeral costs?
Massachusetts DTA may pay up to $1,100 of an eligible outstanding funeral and final-disposition balance when the total funeral, cremation and burial cost does not exceed $3,500 and the program’s resource rules are met.
Can I apply for DTA funeral assistance after paying the funeral bill in full?
No. DTA says an outstanding balance must still be owed because payment is made directly to the licensed funeral establishment rather than reimbursed to the family.
How do I check whether a Massachusetts funeral director is licensed?
Use the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure public license-search system and select Embalming and Funeral Directing. Public license information can be checked free.
What national veterans cemetery is closest to much of the South Shore?
Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne is a major federal VA cemetery serving the region. VA currently lists it as open for new burial space.
Are Massachusetts state veterans cemetery burials free?
Massachusetts currently lists no initial burial charge for eligible veterans at its state veterans cemeteries in Agawam and Winchendon. Current spouse/dependent fees are $300 for full-casket burial and $150 for cremation interment.
Did Massachusetts change death certificates in 2026?
Yes. Starting July 1, 2026, Massachusetts death certificates no longer include the deceased person’s Social Security number unless a person with a legitimate need requests it.
Before You Share, Travel, Submit or Pay
- Confirm the correct person rather than relying on a matching name.
- Search more than one South Shore newspaper when needed.
- Use the handling funeral home for current arrangements.
- Check the local town clerk before paying higher state certificate fees.
- Use the correct Norfolk or Plymouth probate court based on legal domicile.
- Check DTA funeral assistance before paying the full balance when resources are limited.
- Verify Massachusetts funeral licensing when needed.
- Check local Veterans Service Officer and VA cemetery benefits for veterans.
- Do not publish private medical, financial, home-address or family-conflict information.
RecentObituaries.info is an independent source-navigation guide. It is not The Patriot Ledger, The Enterprise, Old Colony Memorial, Legacy, a funeral home, Massachusetts RVRS, a town clerk, Probate and Family Court, DTA, a library, cemetery or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Verify final information with the organization responsible for the notice, record, service or benefit.