An official document signed by a doctor stating that a person has died and giving details of the person and the cause of death. Only a licensed physician can fill out and sign a death certificate, which is needed before burial or disposal of the person’s remains. A death certificate is also necessary for collecting insurance benefits and for tax purposes and other financial transactions.
A medical certificate stating the cause of a person’s death, usually also stating the deceased’s marital status, occupation, and age. A doctor’s diagnosis of the main cause of death, and any contributory causes of death, and his signature are recorded. Death certificates are required by law in the majority of countries throughout the world.
The official record of a person’s death. State law governs the death certificate’s content, which includes the deceased person’s name, age, sex, and the date, time, and cause of death. State law also specifies the person (for example, a physician, coroner, or medical examiner) who is authorized to sign a death certificate. The certificate is filed with the registrar (vital records) for the local unit of government, who in turn files a copy with the state office of vital statistics.
A certificate required by law to be signed by a medical practitioner stating the main and any contributory causes of a person’s death.