Death Certificates

A Certified Death Certificate is necessary before anything can be done. A death certificate can be obtained through a Funeral Director.  It is a good idea to obtain multiple copies of a death certificate as most agencies require a certified certificate and not a photocopy. In Monroe County, death certificates are currently $30 each. The most expensive in the country. Typically a certified death certificate is needed for stocks, bonds, real estate and life insurance. Here in Rochester, we find that a bank will often look at the original death certificate, note that they saw it and return it to the family. Often the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will do the same. As the dust settles, you will find that you may need less than expected. Brighton Memorial Chapel is happy to provide additional certified copies as are needed. We go to the Department of Heath on a daily basis, and charge families exactly what we are charged.  

The items needed for the death certificate include:

• Name of deceased
• Where the deceased is located (hospital, hospice, home, or nursing facility)
• Phone number or address where the deceased is located
• Legal address of deceased
• Date of birth, and place of birth
• Social Security number
• Occupation of the deceased
• Father’s name, mother’s name and maiden name
• Education level
• Marital status
• If married, wife’s name and maiden name
• Informant’s name (person giving information), address, and relationship to deceased