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From Hillcrest Funeral Home (sample)

Margaret H.'s death certificate

Step 3 of 7

The record is waiting on the doctor's signature.

The signature lets cremation or burial go ahead.

Who has the record right now: Riverside Family Medicine, since Sunday, October 18 at 5:13 PM EDT.

We last faxed the office Tuesday, October 20 at 3:13 PM EDT.

Certified copies expected on Thursday, October 29.

  1. ✓The death has been pronounced.
  2. ✓Your funeral home has started the death record.
  3. 3The record is waiting on the doctor's signature.
  4. 4The doctor has signed. The state registrar is reviewing the record.
  5. 5The record is registered. Certified copies have been ordered.
  6. 6Certified copies are on their way.
  7. 7Certified copies are in hand. You can use them with insurance, banks and Social Security.

How many copies will you need?

Most families need between 4 and 10. Each of these usually keeps one: life insurance, each bank, pension or 401(k), the DMV, probate court, property titles. Social Security usually doesn't need one if the funeral home reports the death.

Questions? Call Hillcrest Funeral Home (sample) at (614) 555-0100. This page updates by itself when the step changes.

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