Death certificates are used to close down accounts and tie up loose ends on someone’s estate.
How many you will need to order depends on how many assets the person had, but our suggestion is that you start with two or three.
Many attorneys, friends, and family will suggest that you get five-ten death certificates. While these people have good intentions, things have changed a great deal in the past few years and most institutions aren’t requiring original death certificates. For example, bank account and investment firms will accept photocopies of the original “certified copy.”
Each copy is $21. That is the county’s cost, not our funeral home cost (though we will collect the money and pass the order along to the county on your behalf.) Keep in mind that you are aways able to get additional certified copies if you find you need them in the future.