Glossary
What is death certificate?
A death certificate is the official government record of a person's death, listing identifying details and the cause of death. Certified copies are needed to settle the estate, claim benefits, close accounts, and arrange burial or cremation.
A physician, medical examiner, or coroner certifies the cause of death, and the local vital records office registers it. Funeral homes commonly help order certified copies as part of their services.
Families usually need several certified copies, because banks, insurers, and government agencies each tend to require an original. It is often cheaper to order extra copies up front than to request more later.
Related terms
Autopsy
An autopsy is a medical examination of a body after death to determine the cause and manner of death. It may be ordered by a coroner or medical examiner in certain deaths, or requested by the family for medical reasons.
Funeral director
A funeral director is a licensed professional who arranges and oversees funeral, burial, and cremation services. They handle the body, coordinate paperwork such as permits and death certificates, and guide families through the choices involved.
Disposition
Disposition refers to the final handling of a body — most commonly burial, entombment, cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis. The method of disposition is recorded on official paperwork and usually requires authorization from the legal next of kin.
Obituary
An obituary is a published notice of a person's death that typically shares biographical details, surviving family, and service information. It may appear in a newspaper or online, and newspapers often charge a fee based on length.
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