DEATH CERTIFICATES
Before the business and legal issues of the estate can be pursued, it will be necessary to obtain certified copies of the death certificate. You can order them from the Funeral Director or directly from the Registrar of Vital Statistics in your area. It is always better to order a few more than what you think you will need. Most agencies will only accept certified death certificates and not photocopies.

In some cases, there may be a need to obtain a certified copy of the death certificate without a cause of death. These certificates are needed to transfer the title on a house, mobile home, and automobile or in some cases for court procedures. You should make this request when ordering the certified copies.

 How many certified copies of the death certificate do we need?

The following is a list of some of the most common reasons:

• Social security administration (ask your funeral director for assistance)
• Transfer of real property, (houses, lots, etc.)
• Union or pension benefits
• Titles and registration of automobiles, trailers, boats, motor homes
• Stocks or  bonds (one for each company)
• Checking and savings accounts, lock boxes, certificates of deposit, etc.
• Federal tax returns
• Insured loans
• Credit cards
• Utilities (gas, water, electric, cable)
• Credit union accounts