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 Lincoln Obituaries, Funeral Services and Burial Records
Looking for someone who recently passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska? Start with the Lincoln Journal Star or the handling funeral home. You can also find older death notices, search cemetery records and request an official Nebraska death certificate.
Source review: October 15, 2026. This is an independent research guide, not a live obituary feed.
Where Should You Start?
Recent death notice
Search Lincoln Journal Star obituary listings by surname and publication date.
See newspaper search stepsFuneral or visitation
Find the funeral home’s own memorial and confirm the latest time, address and service details.
Find funeral-home sourcesGrave or cemetery
Wyuka offers an online grave locator that also includes Fairview Cemetery listings.
See burial search stepsCertified death certificate
Nebraska Vital Records handles certified Nebraska death records. The current standard fee is $16 per copy.
See eligibility and orderingHow to Find a Recent Obituary in Lincoln
Use the person’s name first. Add one location or date clue only when the initial search produces too many results.
Lincoln Journal Star: Recent Obituaries and Death Notices
The Lincoln Journal Star is a major source for Lincoln-area obituary notices. Its obituary platform supports browsing by publication date, location, funeral home, high school and college.
Today’s published notices
Open the newspaper’s Today listing to find notices currently shown for that publication day.
Search earlier notices
Browse notices by date or narrow the results using name, newspaper, funeral-home and location clues.
Some Lincoln-area notices involve people who died in other Nebraska communities. A newspaper listing in Lincoln does not necessarily mean the death occurred in Lancaster County.
Lincoln Funeral Homes and First-Party Obituary Sources
A funeral home’s memorial is often the best source for current visitation, funeral, cremation, livestream, burial and family-approved donation instructions.
Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery
Provides an obituary search using last name or last name followed by first name.
Official obituary listingRoper & Sons
A Lincoln funeral provider whose memorial notices also appear in local obituary searches.
Official funeral-home siteButherus, Maser & Love
A Lincoln funeral provider serving families with published obituary and memorial information.
Official funeral-home siteSearch Lincoln and Nearby Lancaster County Communities
People may be remembered under their hometown, current residence, funeral-home location or cemetery town.
Lincoln
Use Lincoln Journal Star, local funeral homes and Lincoln cemetery sources.
Waverly and Bennet
Search both the local community and Lincoln when a notice is not immediately found.
Hickman and Roca
Try Lancaster County plus a family name or church clue.
Raymond and Malcolm
Check funeral providers and newspaper coverage across neighboring communities.
Firth and Hallam
Search both the residence and the funeral or burial location.
Nearby counties
Seward, Saunders, Cass, Otoe and Gage County sources can help with cross-county family connections.
How to Make Sure You Found the Right Person
| Check | Useful clue | When to pause |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Middle name, nickname or maiden name | The name variation cannot be explained |
| Age | Birth year and age at death | The age is clearly different |
| Family | Spouse, parents, siblings or children | Known relatives do not match |
| Community | Lincoln, hometown, school or church | There is no known connection |
| Dates | Date of death versus publication date | The result belongs to another year |
How to Order a Nebraska Death Certificate in Lincoln
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services maintains state death records. The death certificate application states that Nebraska death registration began in 1904.
Current standard fee
$16 per certified death certificate. The state also lists a $16 fee for an eligible Abstract of Death certificate.
The fee is not necessarily returned if the record cannot be located or the requester does not meet the legal requirements.
Who may request?
Nebraska restricts ordinary death-certificate access based on proper purpose. Its guidance identifies spouses, parents and children, with relationship evidence required when appropriate.
Other circumstances should be discussed with Vital Records before paying.
What to prepare before applying
- Full name of the deceased, including other names used.
- Date and city or county of death, or an approximate date range.
- Your relationship to the deceased and purpose of the request.
- Current government-issued photo identification.
- Relationship documents if required.
- Additional search details such as spouse, parents, birthplace or funeral director when necessary.
Ordering routes and processing
| Method | Official guidance | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in | Minimum 30 minutes in-office processing | Bring ID, proper-purpose evidence and record details |
| Regular mail | Minimum 15 days in-office processing | Delivery time is additional |
| Online | Minimum 7 days in-office processing | Online processing/payment charges may apply |
| Historical genealogy | Up to 12 weeks in-office processing | Not available as same-day genealogy service |
Current Nebraska Vital Records office
Walk-in location: Nebraska State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mail: Vital Records, P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065.
Phone: 402-471-2871
Email: DHHS.VitalRecords@nebraska.gov
Final application steps
What if the Cause of Death Is Still Pending?
Nebraska introduced an Abstract of Death certificate for applicable pending investigations beginning July 19, 2024.
What it includes
The Abstract of Death confirms information about the death while leaving out cause-of-death information that is still under investigation.
What it may help with
Nebraska says it can help establish the fact of death for steps such as closing accounts, transferring vehicle titles and starting estate matters.
The current fee is $16 per certified copy. For older pending investigations, ask Vital Records about the application process. An Abstract of Death is not automatically refundable or exchangeable for another certificate.
Nebraska’s official Abstract of Death explanationFind Lincoln Cemetery and Burial Records
Use the cemetery listed in the funeral-home memorial before searching graves. A service in Lincoln does not necessarily mean burial took place in Lincoln.
Wyuka and Fairview Grave Locator
Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery operates a grave locator that searches both Wyuka and Fairview listings.
Wyuka genealogy records
Wyuka also publishes genealogy-service information. Its posted schedule lists up to two basic name/location searches per year without charge, then $2 for additional basic name searches. Mailed records and copies have separate charges.
How to Find Older Lincoln Nebraska Obituaries
Older newspaper notices may appear under local news, death notices, funerals, interments or community columns instead of a modern obituary heading.
Lincoln City Libraries
The Bennett Martin Public Library Local History Resource Hub includes newspapers, city directories dating to 1867, school yearbooks and genealogy resources.
Location: 136 S. 14th Street, Lincoln.
Official Local History Hub detailsNebraska State Historical Society
The Society’s newspaper collection covers more than 3,500 Nebraska titles on nearly 40,000 microfilm reels, with newspaper dates going back to 1854.
Search Nebraska newspaper inventoriesHistorical search shortcuts
- Search surname plus an approximate death year.
- Try spouse, parents or siblings when the name is common.
- Search the newspaper for several days after the death.
- Check Lincoln city directories for residence and household clues.
- Use Wyuka’s burial locator to identify a possible burial record.
- Ask the historical library about microfilm or interlibrary loan when a newspaper is not digitized.
Lincoln and Nebraska Benefits Worth Checking
Before assuming all funeral or burial expenses must be paid privately, review programs that could apply to the family’s circumstances.
Nebraska veterans cemeteries
Nebraska operates state veterans cemeteries in Grand Island and Alliance. The official Grand Island cemetery page states there are no fees for services provided by the cemetery for eligible interments.
Services include eligibility review, committal services, grave opening and closing, headstones and perpetual care.
Veterans Aid and survivor benefits
Nebraska Veterans Aid may provide temporary emergency help for eligible veterans, spouses and dependents when normal resources are disrupted.
Separate federal programs may provide burial benefits, survivor pension or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to eligible survivors.
When money for a funeral is limited
Before signing an arrangement contract, ask the funeral home for an itemized price list and explain whether public assistance, veterans’ benefits or another payer may apply. For local need-based help, contact the relevant county assistance office to ask what programs currently exist and whether approval is required before services are arranged. Do not assume reimbursement is guaranteed.
Verify a Nebraska Funeral Home’s License
Nebraska DHHS regulates funeral directors, embalmers and funeral establishments. The official License Information System supports searches for individuals and business/service licenses.
Funeral Service, Flowers and Payment Safety
Check service times
Verify visitation, ceremony, graveside service and reception separately. They may occur at different addresses.
Follow family wishes
Use the flowers or memorial donation instructions on the original family-authorized notice.
Avoid suspicious payments
Call the funeral home using its published number if an unexpected message requests payment for a livestream or funeral-related service.
Your funeral-price rights
The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule generally requires covered funeral providers to give price information by phone when asked and an itemized General Price List when arrangements or prices are discussed in person. You generally have the right to choose individual goods and services instead of an unwanted package.
Read the FTC Funeral RuleIf You Cannot Find the Lincoln Obituary
Search problem
Wrong spelling, narrow date range, different city, unindexed memorial or a notice under a former surname.
Best next action
Remove uncertain fields, search the funeral home’s memorial listings, widen dates, check older newspapers or contact the original publisher.
After Finding the Obituary: A Short Checklist
- Save the full obituary and original funeral-home memorial links.
- Confirm service address, date and time before travelling.
- Save the cemetery name and burial information if publicly provided.
- Ask each institution whether it needs a certified death certificate.
- Check eligibility for veterans’ benefits and other assistance early.
- Keep certificate receipts, insurance correspondence and funeral documents securely.
- Ask whether the funeral director reported the death to Social Security; contact SSA if reporting was not completed.
Lincoln Nebraska Obituary FAQs
Where can I find recent obituaries in Lincoln, Nebraska?
Start with the Lincoln Journal Star obituary listings or the handling funeral home’s own website. Search the full name and check the publication date.
Where can I find today’s Lincoln Journal Star obituaries?
Use the Lincoln Journal Star Today page on Legacy. For earlier notices, use its Browse page and publication-date filters.
How do I search for a Lincoln obituary by name?
Enter first and last name. If you cannot find the person, try surname only, maiden name, nickname, approximate date or a nearby Lancaster County community.
How much is a Nebraska death certificate?
Nebraska Vital Records currently lists $16 per certified death certificate. Other ordering or delivery charges may apply depending on the service.
Who can order a Nebraska death certificate?
Ordinary certified copies are restricted by Nebraska’s proper-purpose rules. Current guidance identifies spouses, parents and children and requires relationship evidence when appropriate. Contact Vital Records for other situations.
Where is the Nebraska Vital Records office in Lincoln?
The current walk-in location is Nebraska State Office Building, 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln. The telephone number is 402-471-2871.
What if a Nebraska death investigation is pending?
Nebraska can issue an Abstract of Death certificate in applicable pending-investigation cases. It leaves out cause-of-death information and currently costs $16 per certified copy.
How can I find a grave at Wyuka Cemetery?
Use Wyuka’s official Grave Locator. Search the surname, select the correct result and open the lot link to view the burial-section map. The locator also covers Fairview listings.
How can I find an older Lincoln obituary?
Use Lincoln City Libraries’ Local History Resource Hub, Nebraska State Historical Society newspaper inventories and cemetery records. Search alternate names and approximate date ranges.
Does Nebraska offer veterans’ cemetery benefits?
Yes. Nebraska’s state veterans cemetery system serves eligible veterans and family members. The Grand Island cemetery currently states that eligible cemetery services have no fees.
How do I verify a Lincoln funeral home?
Use the Nebraska DHHS License Information System to search funeral establishments or individual licensees and compare the current status and location.
Can an obituary be used instead of a death certificate?
No. An obituary is a public memorial or notice, whereas banks, insurers, estates and government agencies may require a certified government death certificate.
Verified Sources and Further Guidance
Lincoln Journal Star ObituariesRecent notices and filters for dates, locations and funeral homes. Wyuka Obituary SearchFirst-party Lincoln funeral-home notices. Wyuka and Fairview Grave LocatorBurial records and section maps. Nebraska Vital RecordsEligibility, certified records and current office guidance. Nebraska Historical Newspaper InventoryOlder Lincoln and statewide newspaper research. Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Grand IslandState veterans’ cemetery planning and eligibility.Related guides on this website
Obituary Search Guide — name, location and publication-date research.
Death Certificate & Vital Records Guide — certified legal records.
Veterans Burial Benefits Guide — federal and state assistance.
How We Verify Obituary Information — our source-verification process.
Before You Share, Travel or Pay
Confirm the correct person’s identity, use the handling funeral home for final arrangements, and obtain certified legal records through Nebraska Vital Records. For older research, start with Lincoln libraries, historic newspapers and cemetery indexes.
Independent-guide notice: RecentObituaries.info is not the Lincoln Journal Star, a funeral home, cemetery, government agency or official death-record database. It does not publish a live list of every Lincoln death. Verify time-sensitive details directly with the responsible source.