Plantation City Florida obituary records are death notices and memorial listings for people who lived or died in Plantation, Florida. Plantation sits in central Broward County, about 10 miles west of Fort Lauderdale.
The city covers roughly 22 square miles and has a population near 100,000 people. Because Plantation has no city-level vital records office, all official death records go through Broward County. Obituary records come from funeral homes, local newspapers, online databases, and state archives. This page explains where to search, how to request copies, and what to expect from each source.
Where Plantation City Florida Obituary Records Are Stored
Obituary records for Plantation residents exist in several places. The type of record you need depends on your purpose. A simple obituary search only needs the death notice text. A legal or insurance matter needs a certified death certificate. Below are the main places that hold these records for Plantation residents.
Broward County Department of Health
The Broward County Department of Health handles all death records for Plantation from 2009 to today. Plantation residents must visit the Fort Lauderdale office for in-person service. This office issues certified death certificates and processes mail and online orders for anyone who died in Plantation or elsewhere in Broward County. The office handles requests for cities like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Davie, Coral Springs, and Plantation.
Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics
The Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville keeps Florida death records from 1877 to the present. For Plantation deaths before 2009, this state office is the main source. The state bureau also holds older records that the county office cannot access. Plantation residents who need historical records or records filed decades ago must contact Jacksonville. The state bureau charges $5 per search and $4 for each additional copy.
Funeral Homes in Plantation
Local funeral homes keep detailed records of every service they handle. Most Plantation funeral homes post obituaries on their own websites. These obituaries often include the full name, age, date of death, service details, and a personal biography. Funeral home archives go back many decades for some locations. Families often work with funeral homes that have served the Plantation community for generations.
Online Obituary Databases
Several large websites collect obituaries from funeral homes and newspapers across Florida. Legacy.com, Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and Find a Grave all hold Plantation records. These databases let you search by name and date. Some sites offer free basic searches. Others require a paid subscription for full results and record images.
How to Search Plantation City Florida Obituary Records by Name
Searching Plantation City Florida obituary records by name works best when you start with online databases. Most people searching for a death notice already know the full name of the deceased. A name search across multiple platforms gives the best chance of success. Here are the most effective search methods for Plantation obituaries.
Using Legacy.com for Florida Obituaries
Legacy.com is the largest obituary database in the United States. The site partners with most Florida newspapers and funeral homes. To search Plantation records, visit Legacy.com and enter the full name in the search bar. Add location details like “Plantation, FL” or “Broward County, FL” to narrow results. Legacy.com shows obituaries from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald, and local Plantation funeral homes. Basic searches are free. Full obituary text sometimes requires a small fee or registration.
Searching FamilySearch for Plantation Records
FamilySearch is a free genealogy database run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The site holds millions of Florida death records and obituaries. Create a free account, then search the Florida collections. FamilySearch indexes Broward County death records from 1950 to the present. The site also links to digitized newspaper collections that contain Plantation obituaries. Images of original death certificates are sometimes available through FamilySearch partner access.
Searching Find a Grave for Plantation Memorials
Find a Grave is a free cemetery database with billions of records. Many Florida cemeteries have complete records on the site. Plantation cemeteries include the Hebrew Memorial Garden, Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, and other local sites. Search by name on Find a Grave to see memorial pages with dates, photos, and family connections. Users can add photos of gravestones and share family stories. Many Plantation-area burials from the past 50 years are documented.
Using Ancestry.com Florida Obituary Records
Ancestry.com holds the largest collection of digitized Florida newspapers. A subscription gives access to obituary images from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel going back to the 1960s. The site also indexes Broward County death records and other vital records. Ancestry.com costs around $25 per month. People who only need a single search can use the free Ancestry Library Edition at public libraries. Broward County libraries offer free access to Ancestry.com on-site.
Funeral Home Obituaries in Plantation Florida
Funeral home obituaries are the most complete source of death notices for Plantation residents. These obituaries are written by the families with help from funeral directors. They usually contain the deceased’s full name, age, date of death, place of death, and service details. Below are the main funeral homes that serve Plantation families and post obituaries online.
Major Funeral Homes Serving Plantation
Several funeral homes serve Plantation families. T.M. Ralph Funeral Homes has a location in Plantation. Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home serves the broader Broward County area. Kraeer Funeral Home and Forest Lawn Funeral Home also handle Plantation services. Each home maintains its own website with current and past obituaries. These archives go back many years. Families planning a service can also contact these homes to ask about older records from previous decades.
What Funeral Home Obituaries Contain
Funeral home obituaries in Plantation follow a standard format. The notice opens with the full legal name of the deceased. The age at death, date of death, and city of residence appear next. The obituary lists surviving family members like spouse, children, and siblings. It mentions the date, time, and location of the funeral or memorial service. Many obituaries include a short biography, education details, work history, and hobbies. Some contain a photograph of the deceased. Funeral homes keep these notices permanently on their websites, creating a lasting record for genealogy research.
Florida Newspaper Obituaries for Plantation Residents
Florida newspaper obituaries for Plantation residents appear in regional and local publications. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is the main paper for Plantation. Other regional papers also publish death notices from Plantation families. Newspaper archives hold the most complete historical record of death notices for the area.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel Archives
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is the daily newspaper for Broward County. The paper publishes obituaries daily in print and online. The online obituary section is free to search at legacy.com and sun-sentinel.com. The Sun-Sentinel archive goes back to the 1960s when the paper started. Older Plantation records from before the 1960s may appear in the Fort Lauderdale News or Miami Herald archives. The Sun-Sentinel has its own archive tool for paid digital subscribers.
Miami Herald Obituaries and Plantation Records
The Miami Herald serves South Florida and publishes obituaries from Plantation families. The Miami Herald archive is available through newspapers.com and the Miami Herald website. The paper has run continuously since 1903. Plantation death notices from the 1950s and 1960s may appear in the Miami Herald because Plantation was a small community at that time. The paper offers a paid obituary search for older records.
Other Florida Newspaper Sources
Several other papers cover the South Florida region. The Palm Beach Post, Boca Raton News, and Naples Daily News sometimes publish Plantation obituaries. Local Plantation community newsletters also print death notices. These smaller publications are not always digitized. The Broward County Library System holds microfilm copies of many regional newspapers. Genealogy researchers can visit the library to search these archives.
Free Florida Obituary Search Options
Free Florida obituary search options exist for Plantation records. Several websites offer no-cost basic searches. Some require a free account. Below are the best free sources for Plantation obituaries.
Completely Free Websites
Find a Grave offers free obituary searches and memorial pages. FamilySearch provides free access to Florida death indexes and some obituary collections. The State Archives of Florida hosts free digitized records through the Florida Memory Project. Newspapers.com offers a free trial that lets you search and save obituary images for a limited time. Local funeral home websites allow free searches of their current and past obituary archives.
Broward County Library Resources
The Broward County Library System offers free genealogy resources. Library cardholders get free access to Ancestry Library Edition, Newspapers.com Library Edition, and HeritageQuest. These databases work on library computers or through the library website with a library card number. The Main Library in Fort Lauderdale has a genealogy department with staff who help with Plantation obituary searches. Microfilm readers let visitors browse old South Florida newspapers.
Florida Memory Project and State Archives
The Florida Memory Project at floridamemory.com hosts free digitized records. The site holds Florida death records, newspaper archives, and family papers. Plantation obituaries from the early 1900s sometimes appear in these collections. The State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee offers free in-person research. Staff can help locate Plantation records from any time period. Many archives are now online and searchable from home.
How to Request Certified Death Certificates in Plantation
How to request certified death certificates in Plantation involves three main methods. The method you pick depends on your timeline, budget, and need. Each process has specific requirements. Below are the details for each option.
In-Person Requests at Broward County DOH
Visit the Broward County Department of Health office at 2421-A SW 6th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. The office is about 20 minutes east of Plantation by car. Take I-595 east to I-95 south, then exit at SW 6th Avenue. Bring a valid photo ID and complete Form DH727. The form asks for the deceased’s full name, date of death, date of birth, and county of death. The cost is $5 per search and one certified copy. Extra copies cost $4 each. The office accepts cash, check, and money order. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Mail Requests for Plantation Death Records
Mail orders go to the same Fort Lauderdale address. Send a completed DH727 form, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a check or money order. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery. Mail the package to the Broward County DOH office. Processing time for mail requests is 2 to 3 weeks. The fee structure is the same as in-person service. Some Plantation residents prefer mail because they cannot visit during work hours.
Online Requests Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online ordering system for Florida death certificates. Visit vitalchek.com and select Florida death certificates. The cost is $15 for the first copy plus a $7 processing fee. Extra copies cost $4 each. Credit and debit cards are accepted. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Rush delivery is available for an extra fee. VitalChek orders work for Plantation deaths from 2009 forward. The service runs 24 hours a day.
Required Documents and Fees for Plantation Death Records
Required documents and fees for Plantation death records depend on the record type. Below is a clear breakdown of what you need and what you pay for each request type.
| Request Type | Required Documents | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Person at County DOH | Photo ID, DH727 Form | $5 search + $4 per extra copy | 3 to 5 business days |
| Mail Request to County | Photo ID copy, DH727, check, SASE | $5 search + $4 per extra copy | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Online via VitalChek | Credit card, basic info | $15 + $7 fee + $4 per extra copy | 5 to 7 business days |
| State Bureau (pre-2009) | Photo ID, DH727, check | $5 search + $4 per copy | 4 to 6 weeks |
Historical Plantation Obituary Records
Historical Plantation obituary records cover deaths from before the modern county system. Plantation was incorporated as a city in 1953. Before that date, the area was part of unincorporated Broward County. Death records from before 1953 exist at the state level. Below is what you need to know about older Plantation records.
Records from Before 2009
The Broward County DOH only holds records from 2009 forward. For deaths before 2009 in Plantation, contact the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville. The state office holds Florida death certificates going back to 1877. State records include deaths from all Florida counties, including the unincorporated areas that became Plantation. The state charges $5 per search. Additional copies cost $4 each. Mail requests to 1217 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Phone support is available at (904) 359-6900.
Plantation City History and Record Availability
Plantation started as a small farming community in the 1940s. The city grew rapidly in the 1960s and 1970s. Death records from the 1940s and 1950s are limited because the area had few residents. Many early settlers died in nearby Fort Lauderdale, and their records are filed under Broward County. The Broward County Historical Commission holds old newspaper clippings and cemetery records that can help fill gaps. The Plantation Historical Museum also has community records and family histories.
Cemetery Records for Plantation Residents
Cemetery records are a strong source for Plantation obituary research. Major cemeteries that hold Plantation burials include Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Lauderdale Memorial Park, and the Hebrew Memorial Garden. Each cemetery has its own records office. Staff can help you locate specific graves and provide death dates. Find a Grave documents many of these cemetery plots with photos and memorial pages. The Broward County Cemetery Records database is free to search online.
Step-by-Step Search Process for Plantation Obituary Records
Step-by-step search process for Plantation obituary records helps you work through the search in the right order. This method saves time and gives the best results. Follow these steps in order.
Step 1: Gather Basic Information
Start by collecting every detail you know about the deceased. Write down the full legal name, date of birth, date of death, and last known address. Add the names of parents, spouse, and children if you have them. The more information you have, the easier the search becomes. If you do not know the death date, estimate the year. This helps narrow down database searches. Check family records, photo albums, and old documents for clues.
Step 2: Check Free Online Databases First
Search free sites like Find a Grave, FamilySearch, and Legacy.com. Enter the full name and Plantation or Broward County as the location. Look through the results carefully. Many obituaries include photos and full text on these sites. If you find a match, save the page or take screenshots. Free searches cover most basic obituary research needs. Spend time on these sites before paying for any subscription.
Step 3: Contact Local Funeral Homes
If free searches do not work, contact the funeral homes that served Plantation. Call or email the funeral home directly. Provide the name and date of death. Funeral home staff can check their archives and tell you what they have. Some funeral homes charge a small fee for record searches. Most funeral homes help families with research requests at no charge. This step often uncovers records that online databases missed.
Step 4: Request Certified Copies if Needed
Request certified death certificates only when you need them for legal reasons. Insurance claims, estate matters, and court cases require certified copies. Use the Broward County DOH for recent deaths. Contact the state bureau for older records. Follow the instructions in the table above for each request method. Keep your ID and DH727 form ready before you start the request process.
Plantation City Florida Obituary Records Contact Details
The Broward County Department of Health handles all official death records for Plantation. Below are the contact details for in-person, mail, and online requests. Use these details to reach the office directly.
Office Name: Florida Department of Health in Broward County
Address: 2421-A SW 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: (954) 467-4455
Website: broward.floridahealth.gov
Death Certificates Page: broward.floridahealth.gov/certificates/death-certificates
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Paul Hughes Location Hours: Wednesday until 6:00 PM
Early Closure: Third Thursday of each month closes at 3:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions About Plantation Obituary Records
Below are answers to the most common questions people ask about Plantation City Florida obituary records. These answers cover search methods, fees, timelines, and legal issues. Use this section to solve specific problems with your obituary search.
How far back do Plantation obituary records go?
Plantation obituary records online go back to the 1960s for newspaper archives. Funeral home records often go back 30 to 50 years. Official death certificates filed with Broward County start in 2009. Older Plantation death records exist at the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics in Jacksonville, which holds Florida death certificates from 1877 forward. For records before Plantation was incorporated in 1953, check unincorporated Broward County records at the state level. Newspaper archives from the Fort Lauderdale News and Miami Herald hold some Plantation obituaries from the 1940s and 1950s.
Can I search Plantation obituaries for free?
Yes, you can search Plantation obituaries for free using several websites. Find a Grave offers free memorial searches with photos and family details. FamilySearch provides free access to Florida death indexes and obituary collections after creating a free account. Legacy.com shows free obituary listings from Plantation funeral homes and newspapers. The Florida Memory Project hosts free historical Florida records. Broward County libraries offer free access to Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com on library computers. Free searches cover most basic research needs.
What is the difference between a death certificate and an obituary?
A death certificate is an official government record that lists the full legal name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and cause of death. An obituary is a death notice written by the family and published in a newspaper or funeral home website. Obituaries include biographical details, family survivors, and service information. Death certificates serve legal purposes like insurance claims and estate settlements. Obituaries serve as memorial notices and genealogy records. Both documents contain useful information for different reasons.
How long does it take to get a Plantation death certificate?
Plantation death certificates take 3 to 5 business days for in-person requests at the Broward County DOH office. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks from the same office. Online requests through VitalChek take 5 to 7 business days with standard shipping. State bureau requests for records before 2009 take 4 to 6 weeks by mail. Rush service is available through VitalChek for an extra fee. Plan ahead based on your deadline and pick the request method that fits your timeline.
Who can request a Plantation death certificate?
Any person 18 or older can request a public death certificate in Florida. The public version shows the name, dates, and place of death without the cause of death. The confidential version includes the cause of death and is restricted to family members. Eligible requesters for the confidential version include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, adult grandchildren, adult siblings, or anyone with an estate or insurance interest. A court order can also authorize release of the confidential version. Florida Statute Chapter 119 governs these rules for all Florida death records.
Are Plantation obituaries public record?
Yes, Plantation obituaries are public record once they are published. Funeral home obituaries appear on public websites. Newspaper obituaries appear in public archives and online databases. Death certificates have some restrictions. The public version is available to anyone 18 or older. The confidential version with cause of death is restricted to eligible family members for 50 years after the date of death. Florida law treats death certificates differently from obituaries based on privacy rules in Chapter 119 and Chapter 382 of the Florida Statutes.
Can I find old Plantation obituaries from the 1950s?
Yes, old Plantation obituaries from the 1950s exist in newspaper archives and state records. Plantation was a small community at that time, so death notices appeared in the Fort Lauderdale News and Miami Herald. The Florida Memory Project has digitized some of these papers. The Broward County Historical Commission holds microfilm records. The State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee has death certificates from 1877 forward. FamilySearch indexes many of these older records. A genealogy researcher can piece together most 1950s Plantation obituaries with the right sources.