We have investigated 4,000 deaths from Influenza for evidence of a heritable component. We utilized a population-based resource consisting of a genealogy of Utah, which has been record-linked to Utah death certificates since 1904. We estimated significant increased relative risks for death from Influenza in first-degree relatives of individuals who died of Influenza (RR = 1.6; 95% CI:1.47, 1.73). We also estimated significant increased relative risk for death from Influenza in second-degree relatives of individuals who died of Influenza (RR = 1.2; 95% CI:1.13, 1.29). A test of average relatedness for Influenza deaths showed that case relatedness was significantly greater than expected (mean relatedness of cases = 4.03, average mean relatedness in 1000 sets of matched controls = 2.76, p < 0.001). An excess of both close and distant affected relatives was observed for cases. These results support a genetic component to predisposition to death from Influenza. Multiple high risk pedigrees supporting both a familial (infectious) and a genetic contribution death from Influenza have been identified in the UPDB.