Certified Copies of Death Certificate

What are They?

Certified copies of the death certificate are issued by the governmental office in charge of vital statistics in the county in which a death occurs. They possess a seal and/or are printed on special bonded paper. Photocopies are usually not acceptable for legal purposes, but may be used for personal reference.

How Many are Needed?

A quantity is not automatic. It will depend on the number of assets and other factors for each individual. It is recommended that one secure a few more than originally calculated as unanticipated circumstances for need can often arise.

Who Needs Them?

Listed below are organizations or circumstances that will require a certified copy of death certificate:

Insurance Policies: Most insurance companies require a certified copy of the death certificate. It is best to consult with your insurance agent or company on any additional requirements. If the decedent is listed as a beneficiary on another person’s life insurance policy, it is best to change the beneficiary to avoid future complications.
Banks/Safety Deposit Boxes: It is best to consult with your banker, however, it is recommended that you secure one certified copy for each bank that accounts and/or safety deposit boxes are held with.
Stocks or Bonds: It is best to consult with your broker for assistance.
Real Estate Titles/Transactions: You may want to consult with your attorney or realtor for assistance.
Vehicle Title Transactions: It is best to consult with the Illinois Secretary of State, Motorist Services. You can find more detailed information at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
Boat/Snowmobile Title Transactions: It is best to consult with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or www.dnr.illinois.gov.
Employer/Pension Benefits: It is best to contact the employer(s) of the decedent to ascertain what benefits are available if any, and what is required to help process pensions, insurance and any other benefits.
Probating of a will: It is recommended to consult with your attorney.
Credit Cards / Loans: It is best to notify credit card companies and lending institutions directly. It is also recommended to inquire about the possibility of credit life insurance.
Utilities / Cellular phone contracts: Most utilities companies will not require a certified copy of the death certificate; however, a cellular phone company may require it in order to terminate a contract.
Attorney / Trust Officer: It is wise to meet with your attorney and/or trust officer for guidance as they may be able to best determine the number of certified copies needed for legal matters.

How to Order Them?

For your convenience, Humes Funeral Home will secure the quantity of death certificates on your behalf. The cost will depend on the jurisdiction of vital statistics where a death occurred. In most of Cook County, the charge is $17.00 for the first copy and $6.00 for each one thereafter. The initial charge for the first copy is charged each time they are requested. Due to recent changes in the clerk's office, there is an additional fee of $30.00 for a third-party company to order certified copies of death certificates in Cook and some other counties, which includes overnighting the death certificates once the order has been fulfilled. For future needs, Humes Funeral Home is happy to order additional copies with payment in advance, or, you can order directly at:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death. For eligible veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, VA may also provide a headstone or marker for graves that are already marked with a private headstone or marker. When the grave is already marked, applicants will have the option to apply for either a traditional headstone or marker, or a new device (available spring 2009).

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains.

When burial or memorialization is in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery, or military post/base cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by the next of kin or authorized representative.

Spouses and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state veteran's cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.

Note: There is no charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and all setting fees are at private expense.

For additional information, visit: http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hmm/index.asp