We meet many people throughout our lives, and many relationships will eventually peter out as people go in different directions. And every now and then we might hear that an old friend or acquaintance has died or that a distant relative has passed away. In such cases, we may want to verify the news, after all, it’s not uncommon for people to misunderstand something, and even innocent falsehoods can spread quickly.
But how should you go about finding out if someone has died in NSW? Fortunately, there are several steps you can take in the state and further afield. This article takes a brief look at some of the options available to you.
Get in Touch
One of the best ways to find out if somebody has died in NSW is to contact them directly, provided you have their details. If you call and the person answers, you’re left with no doubt that the news you’ve heard isn’t true. Giving them a call or maybe a text message also gives you a chance to catch up, and maybe even arrange to meet.
In some cases, somebody else might answer the deceased’s phone or answer their messages and reply with bad news. And although this news isn’t what you want to hear, it’s best you hear it sooner rather than later.
Contact Friends or Relatives of the Deceased
One of the easiest ways to confirm that somebody has passed is to speak with their friends or relatives. This can take just a few moments if you already have their contact details and, if you don’t, you will often be able to locate them online.
Finding out that somebody has died in this way can be beneficial because you’re likely to get more details. It’s also a good opportunity to speak with somebody close to the departed and maybe discuss funeral arrangements if one hasn’t been held yet.
Regardless, you should always bear in mind that other people will be mourning the death of a loved one so you should be as tactful as possible. Be careful to respect other peoples’ feelings and they are more likely to be helpful.
Look on Social Media
Social media can make a quick and easy way to discover whether or not somebody has passed away. If you are friends with them on SM then a quick look at their profile might tell you that they’re still alive and well. On the other hand, it’s not uncommon for somebody close to the departed to log in to the deceased’s SM accounts to let their friends know they’ve passed on.
If you do use social media as a source, then be careful to consider the veracity of any information you find. Misinformation can spread quickly online, whether deliberate or not, so it’s best to find out from people genuinely close to the person in question. Otherwise, you might run the risk of adding to the spread of misinformation.
Tributes Section
If you know when the person in question supposedly died, the tributes section in newspapers can be useful. Not all papers have a tributes section, but you will find many newspapers are also online, making them easier to find. Knowing the date of the person’s supposed death will help you find the right newspaper edition.
You can also try looking at https://www.mytributes.com.au/, which lists death notices throughout Australia. This option can be beneficial because you can search by the person’s name, which is ideal if you are missing other details. You are also likely to get results quickly and from the comfort of your home.
Check With Clubs or Memberships
If the person in question belonged to a club or similar organisation, the club would likely know if one of their members has passed away. This could mean official organisations they belonged to, to a local pub they frequented. This approach could potentially help you save a lot of time, giving you an accurate answer quickly.
Many clubs also have their own websites which might help save you time. For example, many clubs will announce the deaths of their members online so other members know. Clubs will also often organize collections to help the deceased’s family or to help pay for the funeral service.
Another option is to check at the person’s place of work if you have that information. Even if you can’t be sure they would still be working there, other staff might be able to help.
Summary
Finding out whether somebody has died can be difficult both emotionally and practically. Thankfully, the internet helps make it easier to find information, although searches are not always conclusive. In some cases, you may be fortunate and quickly discover the person in question is fine. In others, you may not be able to find any information at all.
Remember that during your investigation it’s important to remain tactful at all times. Even though somebody’s passing might be news to you, it could be old news to others and you risk opening old wounds if you’re not careful. You should also remember to be wary of misinformation online and offline, going only by reliable sources.
Regardless, if you are trying to find out if somebody has died or if you have any other funeral-related questions, please feel free to get in touch. Our friendly and professional team will be looking forward to hearing from you and learning how we can help.
