Family History Beginner Tips & Activities: Discovering Ancestors Through FamilySearch's Cemetery Activity
For some people visiting a cemetery may seem morbid or depressing. However, cemeteries can be some of the most peaceful and meaningful places to connect with the past.
One of my favorite activities on FamilySearch is the Cemetery Activity. Using your location, FamilySearch can identify nearby cemeteries where your relatives are buried. With just a few taps, it transforms family history from something you do behind a computer screen into a meaningful experience you can share as a family.
We visited the gravesite of my grandmother's sister, Renee. She was my grandmother's older sister, and of the four sisters, Renee and my grandma looked the most alike.
I will never forget standing in the viewing room on the morning of my grandmother's funeral and watching Renee enter. She seemed frail and weary. I imagine the journey from Utah to Southern California had taken a toll on her, but she was determined to be there—to say goodbye to her sister one last time.
She approached my grandmother and broke down. Reaching out, she gently touched my grandma's peaceful face and sobbed. In that moment, it all became too much for me, and I had to step away before the grief and heartache overtook me.
Although I only knew Renee briefly, she seemed like a sweet woman who loved her family deeply. It was a privilege to take my own children to her gravesite and share this memory with them.
When we visit the resting place of an ancestor, we are reminded that they were real people. They had hopes, dreams, struggles, and families just like we do. The name engraved on a headstone is more than a name on a pedigree chart—it represents a life lived and a story worth remembering.
Rather than focusing on death, cemetery visits can help us focus on life—the lives of those who came before us and the legacy they left behind. As we stand where they are buried, family history becomes more personal. We begin to see our ancestors not simply as names and dates, but as individuals whose choices, sacrifices, and experiences helped shape our own lives.
For children, a cemetery visit can be an especially meaningful experience. It helps them understand that the people on their family tree were real. It creates opportunities to share stories, ask questions, and develop a sense of belonging. A simple visit can spark conversations about family, faith, resilience, and the importance of remembering those who came before us.
So, the next time you are looking for a meaningful family activity, consider opening the Cemetery Activity on FamilySearch and seeing if any of your relatives are buried nearby.
Bring your children, share a story, place a flower, or simply spend a few moments reflecting on a life that helped shape your own. You may be surprised by the connection you feel as family history steps off the page and into the real world.\
Activity Page
to download and print the activity page simply click here or on the image
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