This database contains obituary and death notice information from the Columbia, SC newspapers:

• The State (1892-1933, 1939-1984, 1986-1997)
• The Palmetto Leader (1925-1928, 1930, January-April 1931); Columbia’s foremost African American paper
• Obituary Index to The State for World War II servicemen killed in action (1941-1949)

These newspapers may contain statewide obituary and death information. Question marks have been used for illegible letters. To find names with illegible first letters use a question mark in the Name Browse.

This is an ongoing project. Additional years will be added as they are completed.

Search the Obituary Index

Request an Obituary

Non-library card holders

 - Send $5 per each obituary request (maximum of 3 at one time)

  OR

- Get a library card

RCPL card holders

- Free through email

   OR

- Send $1 for postage (up to seven pages) and then $0.25/page

Make check or money order out to Richland County Public Library and send to:

Richland County Public Library
Attn: Finance Dept/obit request
1431 Assembly St.
Columbia, SC 29201

Please provide an exact date of death for obituaries that are not in our database. Obituaries are processed 9:00 a.m-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.