How to Make an Online Memorial at Find a Grave

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By Meri Rees
User-Submitted Article

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Eastline Cemetery Ballston Spa, NY

A Find a Grave online memorial is the perfect way to honor an ancestor or recent family member who has died. By taking the time to post their biography, family history and a few pictures you can create a record that will be treasured today as well as by posterity.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Genealogical information on individual
optional pictures
Computer

Step 1

First of all gather the information that you would like to share. Basic vital information like birth and death dates, parental, sibling and spousal information is a great place to begin.
Step 2

You may want to add a short biography that will give the reader a sense of who the person was- not just a series of dates and places. Consider adding information about their faith, hobbies, interests or occupations.
Step 3

website logo

Choose a few pictures that highlight the life of the deceased. Scan them if they are not in digital format. Find a Grave has an easy upload feature to add the pictures to the memorial. Files that are too large for upload will be automatically resized.
Step 4

Under "Find Graves" click on [• Search 20 million grave records]
See if someone has already made a memorial. If not, go to next step.
Step 5

Under "Find Graves" click on [• Search 20 million grave records]
See if someone has already made a memorial. If not, go to next step.
Step 6

Under "Find Graves" click on [ • Add burial records]
Fill in the information about the person: name, birth date and place along with the death date and place. Include the cemetery and location of cemetery. You can add a short bio, family histories, etc. When you have finished, Click on the bottom button that says "Add this person to Find a Grave"
Step 7

Forget Me Nots

Once you have done this you will be prompted to go to the memorial. At this point you may add pictures and edit any information on the memorial. If you do not live near the cemetery where your loved one is buried you can request a photo. Volunteers around the country fill these requests.