How to Obtain a Death Certificate

When a family member passes away, you will need a county death certificate in order to proceed with the funeral or memorials service. In some states, it's actually illegal to move the body unless a death certificate has been signed by the doctor, coroner, or medical officer.

The hospital or hospice will prepare the form and if your loved one died in an accident or sudden illness, the county medical examiner or coroner will prepare it. You will need this form for the mortuary. If you are going through a funeral home, the funeral director will fill in necessary information. The death certificate may be part of a package at the funeral home.

The certificate of death will state the name, cause of death, including the cause of death. It can also include other details such as the date/time of death, sex, occupation, date and place of birth, residence, county of citizenship, social security number, marital status, name of surviving spouse, names and birth places of both parents, and ancestry. As with any form, you want to double check and make sure that all the information is accurate and correct.

Official copies of the certificate of death should be available at your state or county health department. You can purchase additional copies or have your funeral director or attorney obtain them. You may need approximately ten copies. Death certificates are required to apply for benefits due the family, to sell or transfer ownership or any property, to gain access to safe deposit boxes and bank accounts.

For more funeral resources and information regarding death certificates, visit The Funeral Program Site's funeral resources and planning section. This site also offers beautiful funeral programs, prayer cards, thank you cards, and funeral poems.

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