The death of a loved one can bring on a range of difficult emotions, from profound sadness and loneliness to anger or regret. It can also make it difficult to cope with reminders of the person, such as holidays or anniversaries.
Several resources are available to help trace lost loved ones, including social media and websites dedicated to memorializing a deceased person. Other options include contacting the family’s attorney, which may have access to important legal and financial documents.
Social Media
If your loved one had a social media account, it is important to know how their accounts can be handled after death. For example, Facebook allows immediate family members to request that an account be memorialized or deleted. Instagram offers a similar option, as does Pinterest, YouTube and TikTok. Twitter, however, does not offer this type of service.
When posting a death announcement on a loved one’s social media, it is important to be sensitive to their wishes and the feelings of their friends. It is also crucial to make sure the information you share is correct. For example, a classmate once posted on her sister’s death online before the family had even informed her close friends, which was upsetting and embarrassing for them.
Keeping an account open may also cause the platform to send notifications encouraging people to interact with them, and it could lead to the deceased being mistaken for being alive by other users. On the other hand, deleting an account gives them privacy from others and prevents old posts from being scrutinized.
Ultimately, it is up to each family to decide how they want their lost loved ones’ social media accounts to be handled. If an account is going to be kept, it is a good idea to take screenshots of any precious memories before they disappear forever.
Searching the Deceased’s Home
In some cases, you can find out about a deceased relative by searching their home. Old documents, photographs, furniture, shoes, and other personal items can reveal important information about the person, such as their religion, profession, or hobbies.
If your missing relative attended a place of worship, contact the congregation or church to see if they have any records on file about him or her. Many churches keep these records for decades, so you might have a chance of finding out more about your long-lost family member. You can also ask the deceased’s closest friends and family if they have any information on him or her, such as the location of a bank safety deposit box.
Using an online service like USA Trace people search can help you locate any family member in the US with a little bit of information. The search service provides access to public records that provide detailed information about a person’s background, including birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce records, and much more.
Another effective way to find a lost loved one is by hiring a private investigator. This method is the most efficient, and can uncover a variety of pieces of information. The best part is that it’s legal and confidential, so the contact won’t be able to discover that you’ve looked him or her up.
Searching for Assets
There are many government agencies that will help you locate and procure any unclaimed money that may be due to your loved one. These include MIB (Money Insurance Board) and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Also, a search of local public records will reveal any property that is owned or held in the name of your lost loved one. These include real estate, life insurance policies and retirement benefits.
Another resource for locating assets is the will itself. It will usually reveal how the estate is to be divided and what assets are contained within it. However, it is possible that your loved one made no will and this can make determining what assets they have difficult.
If the person you’re searching for is still alive, ask family members about what they know. Often, close family members will have some information and can help you broaden your search. In addition, you can look at their social media and online profiles for clues as to their current location or where they’ve been hiding out.
In some cases, you might need to ‘excavate’ your lost loved one’s belongings in order to find what they have hidden away. This involves looking through files, shelves, documents and even domestic items like photographs and clothing. This process can be emotionally taxing, but it’s important to remember that this is a way of honoring your loved one and preserving their legacy.
Searching for Documents
When tracing a missing loved one, start with your most closely related family members. Ask your grandparents, parents and other siblings for critical information like your estranged relative’s full name and their date of birth. You can also ask them about their occupation, their last known address and where they went to school. Ask them about memorable family stories, too.
Depending on your relationship with the person, you may be able to find more information through public and state records, including bankruptcy, divorce, death and criminal records. You can even search for professional licenses, such as cosmetology, nursing, therapy and law. However, if you aren’t able to locate any useful documents, or if your search is complicated by multiple names, you should consider hiring an investigator.
An experienced private investigator can help you locate your missing loved ones in a quick and cost-effective manner. Their expertise in conducting background checks will increase your chances of finding your loved one and can also uncover hidden clues. They can also conduct interviews with people who know your missing loved one and provide you with phone, physical and social media contact information.
Uncertainty over a loved one’s whereabouts can cause a range of psychosocial effects. For some families, it can be difficult to move on without knowing whether their loved one is still alive or has died.