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 The Columbian Obituaries, Funeral Notices and Local Death Records
Looking for recent obituaries in The Columbian? This Vancouver, Washington newspaper publishes obituary and death-notice information for Clark County and surrounding communities.
Start with the newspaper’s obituary listings. Search by name or publication date, then check the handling funeral home for current service details. This guide also explains historical archives, certified death certificates, cemetery searches and local assistance.
Reviewed October 14, 2026 • Independent information guide
Quick Answer: Choose the Right Source
Recent newspaper obituary
Use The Columbian’s dedicated obituary listings on Legacy. Search the name, publication date or funeral home.
Brief death notice
Search The Columbian’s local news and death-notice coverage. A short death notice may contain less information than a full obituary.
Funeral or memorial service
Check the funeral home’s own memorial for confirmed service times, directions, burial and livestream information.
Official death record
Use Clark County Public Health or the Washington State Department of Health for certified death certificates.
Where to Find The Columbian Recent Obituaries
The Columbian’s Legacy obituary directory provides newspaper-specific results with options to browse by publication date, funeral home, location, school and college.
The Columbian obituary directory
Best when you know the notice was published by this newspaper.
Search by first and last name
Use the publisher-linked obituary search when you already know the person’s name.
All Vancouver-area obituaries
Useful when you do not know which newspaper or funeral home published the notice.
The Columbian newspaper website
Use the newspaper’s own site to look for local death notices and related community reporting.
How to Search The Columbian Obituaries by Name
Helpful search examples
Name: First Last The Columbian obituary
City: Last name obituary Vancouver WA
Nearby town: Last name Camas WA obituary
Funeral provider: Last name Vancouver funeral home obituary
Year: Last name The Columbian 2012 obituary
For broader research, see our obituary search guide.
Search Vancouver and Nearby Clark County Communities
People featured in The Columbian may have lived, worked, attended school or received funeral services in different parts of southwest Washington.
Vancouver
Start with Vancouver, Hazel Dell, Minnehaha, Salmon Creek and local funeral homes.
Camas and Washougal
Search both communities, plus connected family, school and church names.
Battle Ground
Try Battle Ground, Brush Prairie, Hockinson and nearby north Clark County areas.
Ridgefield and La Center
Look at local funeral homes, newspaper notices and rural cemetery information.
East Clark County
Try Orchards, Five Corners, Mill Plain and neighboring communities.
Columbia River connection
Search Portland, Oregon, when a family has ties to both sides of the river.
Verify the Correct Person Before Sharing an Obituary
| Identity detail | What to compare | When to pause |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | First, middle and former surnames. | An important name does not match. |
| Age or birth year | Age and any listed dates. | The age is substantially different. |
| Relatives | Spouse, parents, children or siblings. | None of the family information matches. |
| Community | Vancouver, nearby town or previous residence. | There is no known connection. |
| Funeral home | Handling provider and service location. | Two notices show conflicting arrangements. |
How to Confirm Funeral and Memorial Service Details
The Columbian’s obituary directory identifies several local funeral homes with published notices. The right provider depends on the individual memorial.
Funeral homes appearing in local obituary listings
Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel
Appears in The Columbian obituary directory. Check the individual notice and the funeral home’s own website for the correct service location.
Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home
Listed among Vancouver funeral homes publishing notices. Verify current arrangements with the provider rather than an old newspaper excerpt.
Cascadia Cremation & Burial Services
May be identified as the handling provider in local memorials. A cremation provider may not have a public funeral service scheduled.
Other local funeral establishments
Additional providers appearing in obituary directories include Evergreen Staples, Davies, Layne’s and other southwest Washington establishments.
What to check before attending
- Visitation or viewing hours.
- Funeral or memorial date and starting time.
- Exact building, chapel, church or cemetery address.
- Whether the service is open to the public.
- Livestream instructions if offered.
- Burial or graveside service details.
- Parking, accessibility and weather-related updates.
- Flower or memorial-donation preferences.
Suggested phone question: “I’m checking the public arrangements for [full name]. Could you confirm the service time, address and whether the service is public?”
How to Submit an Obituary to The Columbian
The Columbian’s obituary directory includes an official “Submit an Obituary” link to the Legacy publishing service.
Open The Columbian obituary submission route
Brief death notice or full obituary?
Death notice
Usually provides brief public information such as the person’s name, age, community, death date and handling funeral home.
Full obituary
May include a longer life story, photograph, survivors, service arrangements, guestbook and family memorial instructions.
Newspaper advertising contact
The Columbian Classifieds page lists general advertising help at 360-735-4590, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Ask for the correct obituary or death-notice team before sending personal information.
The Columbian classified advertising contact
Need to correct an obituary?
Contact the publisher or funeral home that submitted the notice. Provide the obituary URL, the exact error and approved replacement wording. A newspaper correction does not change a certified death certificate.
Find Older Columbian Obituaries and Newspaper Notices
For older names, use the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries newspaper databases, commercial newspaper archives and Washington State Archives.
| Archive | Coverage | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| The Columbian obituary archive | Indexed obituaries beginning in 1994 | Search by surname, keywords or publication year. Some full results require payment. |
| FVRL NewsBank | The Columbian: May 26, 1994–April 29, 2024 | Library-card access to indexed newspaper articles and older material. |
| FVRL ProQuest Newspapers | The Columbian: January 1, 1995–February 3, 2024 | Additional full-text newspaper research, including some obituary content. |
| Washington State Digital Archives | Historical death indexes and certificates | Find historical official record references rather than newspaper obituaries. |
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
FVRL provides genealogy, local-history and newspaper research tools. Some databases require a library card, while others are available only within participating libraries.
FVRL genealogy and NewsBank resources
FVRL historical newspapers and ProQuest
Commercial obituary archive
The Columbian’s indexed obituary archive can help with a historical name search beginning in 1994. Check the publication date and surname before paying for a full archive result.
The Columbian historical obituary archive
Washington State death indexes
Washington State Digital Archives provides historical death indexes and certificate collections. The death-index collection includes records from 1907–1960 and later decades, while separate certificate collections have their own date coverage and access rules.
The state generally transfers qualifying death records to the archives after 25 years. An older index hit is not necessarily a certified legal copy.
Washington State historical death index
How to research an older notice
- Start with the surname and approximate year.
- Search the commercial Columbian archive.
- Check NewsBank or ProQuest through FVRL when coverage matches the period.
- Try maiden names, initials, spouses or relatives.
- Use Washington State Digital Archives for historical death-record clues.
- Record the newspaper title, publication date and available page reference.
Clark County and Washington State Death Certificates
Washington offers certified long-form certificates, certified short-form certificates and noncertified informational death copies.
Choosing the right product can help avoid paying for more copies than necessary.
Long-form certificate
A certified record containing additional death information, including cause and manner of death. Release is restricted to applicants with an eligible relationship or other qualifying authority.
Short-form certificate
A certified legal record that does not include cause or manner of death or the deceased person’s Social Security number. It may be suitable for certain estate, property or title transactions.
Informational death copy
Available to the public without proving a qualifying relationship. It is marked informational and cannot be used for legal purposes.
Historical archive record
Useful for family-history research. Older archival records and indexes do not automatically replace a newly issued certified certificate.
Ask the receiving institution which certificate it needs before ordering. An insurer or court may have different requirements from a family historian.
Clark County death record coverage
| Death period | Clark County office coverage | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–present | All Washington State deaths | Clark County Public Health can issue qualifying records. |
| 2002–2017 | Deaths recorded in Clark County | Use Clark County for qualifying local records. |
| 1907–2001 | Not issued through the county’s regular covered range | Use Washington State Department of Health or archival routes. |
| Death in Oregon | Not a Washington death record | Use the appropriate Oregon vital-record office. |
Clark County Vital Records fees
| Charge | Current amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First certified or informational death copy | $38.50 | County’s currently listed first-copy amount. Check order-method fees before payment. |
| Additional same-record copy | $25 each | Additional copies of the same record in an order. |
| Listed order fee | $10 | Confirm how the county applies this in the selected ordering method. |
| Mail handling | $10 per order | County lists an additional order charge for qualifying mailed requests. |
| Online VitalChek processing | $11.50 | Additional vendor charge; shipping also applies. |
Clark County Public Health — Vital Records
1601 E. Fourth Plain Boulevard
Building 17, 3rd Floor, Suite A327
Vancouver, WA 98661
Telephone: 564-397-8092
In-person service hours currently listed:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
- 8:00 a.m.–noon and 12:30–3:45 p.m.
- Closed to in-person certificate service on Tuesdays.
The county reports that complete in-person orders normally take approximately 20–30 minutes, but missing documents or inconsistencies can cause delays.
Official Clark County certificate instructions and fees
Six steps to order a Washington death certificate
Washington State Department of Health — Death Records
Can anyone request a death record?
Anyone may request a noncertified informational death copy. Certified copies require an eligible relationship or legally recognized authority, along with identification and supporting documents.
Qualified requesters can include certain spouses, relatives, legal representatives and other documented applicants. Check the current state’s full eligibility list before ordering.
Death certificate correction
Clark County cannot amend death certificates locally. Washington State Department of Health handles corrections through its official application and supporting-evidence process.
A newspaper obituary correction does not amend the legal record.
Find Vancouver Cemetery and Burial Records
The City of Vancouver operates three cemeteries and offers a free online burial-record search covering those locations.
Park Hill Cemetery
5915 E. Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver, WA.
The city reports more than 25,000 burials and says the cemetery remains available for new interments.
Old City Cemetery
East Mill Plain Boulevard and Grand Boulevard, Vancouver, WA.
One of Vancouver’s longstanding historic cemeteries.
Fisher Cemetery
16509 Evergreen Highway, Vancouver, WA.
Historic pioneer cemetery dating to the 1850s.
How to search city cemetery records
- Open the City’s official cemetery search.
- Enter the deceased person’s last name.
- Add a first name to narrow results.
- Search all three cemeteries or choose a specific one.
- Review the returned burial information carefully.
- Contact cemetery staff when records are unclear.
Search Vancouver cemetery records free
City cemetery office: 360-693-1562
Veterans Burial Benefits in Vancouver and Clark County
Clark County has a local Veterans Assistance Fund, and eligible veterans may also qualify for federal burial and cemetery benefits.
Clark County Veterans Assistance Fund
The county’s program provides emergency assistance to qualifying veterans and can include burial or cremation expenses.
Current basic eligibility
- Qualifying honorable or general-under-honorable discharge.
- Washington residency for at least 12 consecutive months before applying.
- Clark County residency at application.
- Household income within the program’s specified limits.
Where to apply
Veterans Assistance Center
1305 Columbia Street, Suite 100
Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: 360-693-7030
Office application hours are currently listed as Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Clark County Veterans Assistance Fund
Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery
1455 E. Fourth Plain Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98663
Phone: 503-273-5250
The VA currently lists Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery as cremation-only for available new interments, subject to eligibility and scheduling. Its cemetery office is located off-site.
Visitor hours: daily from sunrise to sunset.
Official Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery
Other VA memorial benefits
- Eligible national cemetery interment.
- Government-furnished grave marker or headstone.
- Burial flag and military funeral honors.
- Presidential Memorial Certificate.
- Possible burial and transportation allowances.
- Benefits for certain eligible spouses and dependents.
Prepare the veteran’s DD-214 or other acceptable service document, death certificate where needed, funeral receipts and claimant information.
Official VA Burial and Memorial Benefits
Possible death-certificate fee waiver
Washington State offers a no-fee vital-record certificate route in certain cases involving a VA compensation or pension claim. The applicant must provide official VA documentation and a complete qualifying application.
Washington no-fee certificate rules
This waiver is limited to qualifying purposes. It is not a general free-certificate program for every veteran’s family.
Funeral Price Rights and Provider Verification
Washington funeral establishments and professionals are regulated through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Verify a funeral provider
- Open the Washington Department of Licensing website.
- Choose the business or professional license lookup.
- Search the funeral establishment or director’s name.
- Confirm the business address and current license status.
- Contact the Funeral and Cemetery Board if details remain unclear.
Washington funeral establishment licensing
Funeral and Cemetery Licensing: 360-664-1555
Know your funeral-price rights
Ask for prices by phone
Funeral providers must give price information by telephone when asked.
Get the itemized price list
Ask for a General Price List when discussing arrangements or prices in person.
Choose individual services
You generally have the right to select funeral goods and services instead of paying for unwanted package items.
Review extra charges
Check transportation, cemetery, obituary, crematory, clergy and other third-party costs separately.
FTC Funeral Rule and consumer rights
Prepaid funeral contracts
Washington separately regulates preneed funeral arrangements. Ask how the funds are protected, what services are guaranteed and what cancellation or transfer conditions apply.
After You Find the Obituary: What to Do Next
Confirm arrangements
Save the complete obituary and call the funeral home when service details may have changed.
Check certificates
Ask banks, insurance companies and estate professionals which death certificate format they need.
Contact Social Security
Funeral homes generally report deaths to SSA. Confirm whether the report was made.
Check veteran benefits
Use Clark County Veterans Assistance and VA resources when military service applies.
Protect personal records
Keep official certificates, invoices, banking information and identity documents secure.
Check memorial donations
Use a family-approved nonprofit or funeral-home route before sending money.
For a fuller checklist, see our After-Death Notification Guide.
Common Columbian Obituary Search Mistakes
Wrong Vancouver
Search Vancouver, Washington, not Vancouver, British Columbia.
Only checking today’s date
Widen the publication period because obituaries may be published later.
Confusing notice types
A brief death notice may not include the life story or complete service arrangements.
Ordering the wrong certificate
Ask whether the receiving institution needs long-form, short-form or informational records.
Using only private grave websites
Check Vancouver’s official city cemetery search before relying on user-contributed memorial records.
Assuming veteran benefits are automatic
Check VA and Clark County eligibility before counting on reimbursement.
Related RecentObituaries.info Guides
Obituary Search & Recent Notices Guide
Find notices by name, city, newspaper, funeral home and date.
Death Certificate & Vital Records Guide
Learn when a public obituary is not enough for legal proof.
After-Death Notification Checklist
Organize Social Security, insurance, banks, mail and personal records.
Official and Primary Sources
The Columbian obituary listings Recent notices, date filters, local funeral homes and obituary submission. The Columbian newspaper Local Vancouver and Clark County news and death-notice coverage. Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries — Genealogy Local newspaper archives, NewsBank and genealogy resources. FVRL historical news databases Additional ProQuest newspapers and historical research sources. Clark County Public Health — Death Certificates Current fees, record coverage, eligibility, ordering and contact information. Washington State Department of Health — Death Records Long-form, short-form and informational death-copy requirements. Washington State Digital Archives Historical death index and related official archival collections. City of Vancouver Cemetery Records Free official search for Park Hill, Fisher and Old City Cemetery. Clark County Veterans Assistance Fund Eligibility, application information and possible burial assistance. Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery Veteran burial eligibility, current availability and cemetery contact details. Washington Funeral Establishment Licensing Professional licensing and funeral establishment regulations. Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule Itemized pricing, consumer choices and funeral-service protections.The Columbian Recent Obituaries: FAQs
Where can I find The Columbian recent obituaries?
Use The Columbian’s dedicated Legacy obituary directory. Search the person’s name, publication date, location or funeral home, then open the complete notice.
Does The Columbian cover Vancouver, Washington?
Yes. The Columbian is a newspaper serving Vancouver, Clark County and nearby southwest Washington communities.
How can I find obituaries published today?
Open The Columbian’s Legacy obituary directory and use the Today or recent publication-date filter. If no matching notice appears, widen the date range and check the funeral home’s website.
What is the difference between a death notice and an obituary?
A death notice usually provides basic information about a death. A full obituary often includes a life story, photograph, relatives, memorial arrangements and condolences.
How do I submit an obituary to The Columbian?
Use the Submit an Obituary link on The Columbian’s Legacy listing. Enter or upload the approved text, review publication options, check the price and proofread before paying.
How can I find an older Columbian obituary?
Use the commercial Columbian archive for indexed results from 1994 onward or search NewsBank and ProQuest through Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries. Washington State Archives may help with historical death-record information.
How much does a Clark County death certificate cost?
Clark County currently lists $38.50 for the first certified or informational death copy and $25 for additional copies. Order, vendor, payment-processing and shipping charges may also apply.
Can anyone request a Washington death certificate?
Certified death certificates require an eligible relationship or legal authority plus identity and supporting documents. Anyone may request a noncertified informational death copy, but it cannot be used for legal purposes.
What is a short-form Washington death certificate?
It is a certified legal death record that excludes cause and manner of death and the deceased person’s Social Security number. Ask the receiving institution which certificate type it needs.
Can I search Vancouver cemetery records online for free?
Yes. The City of Vancouver offers a free burial-record search covering Park Hill, Old City and Fisher cemeteries. Search by surname and add a first name when needed.
Does Clark County offer veteran burial assistance?
Clark County’s Veterans Assistance Fund may help qualified applicants with burial or cremation expenses. The program has discharge, residency, income and documentation requirements.
Is Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery open for burials?
The VA currently lists Vancouver Barracks National Cemetery as cremation-only for available new interments, subject to eligibility and scheduling. Contact the cemetery for the current options.
How do I verify a Washington funeral home?
Use the Washington State Department of Licensing’s funeral establishment and professional licensing resources. Compare the establishment name, address and current license status.
Can a family choose not to publish an obituary?
Yes. A public obituary is not required for every death. Families may choose private arrangements, delayed publication or no public announcement.
Before You Share, Travel or Pay
- Confirm the correct person’s name, dates and community.
- Use The Columbian or the funeral home’s original notice rather than copied search results.
- Check service times, address and public or private status before travelling.
- Confirm whether you need a long-form, short-form or informational death record.
- Use official Washington or Clark County vital-record sources for certified documents.
- Check Vancouver’s city cemetery search for eligible burial records.
- Review veteran and funeral assistance eligibility before relying on financial support.
- Do not post private financial, medical or family information in public guestbooks.
RecentObituaries.info is an independent information and source-navigation website. It is not affiliated with The Columbian, Legacy, Clark County, the City of Vancouver, Washington State Department of Health, the Department of Veterans Affairs or any funeral establishment. Verify final details with the organization responsible for the notice, service, certificate or benefit.