What is a death certificate primarily used for?

A death certificate serves as a vital legal document that contains essential information about the deceased individual. It includes vital statistics, such as the person's name, date of birth, and date of death, as well as details concerning the disposition of the body (burial or cremation) and final medical information, which often includes the cause of death. This document plays a significant role in both personal and administrative processes following a death, including settling estates, obtaining life insurance benefits, and providing the necessary legal acknowledgment of the individual’s passing.

While the other options refer to important aspects of funeral services, they do not encompass the primary purpose of a death certificate. Notifications to family members and statements of expenses are part of the funeral planning process but do not convey the formal legal and medical details that a death certificate provides. Similarly, while a certification of burial and cremation services is relevant to the deceased’s final arrangements, it is a separate matter from the critical functions of a death certificate.